THE DRIVING MISS DAISY TEAM

Melanie Harper with her husband Jack founded Driving Miss Daisy NZ Ltd. As soon as her aunt Trish told Melanie she wanted to pay for the helpful assistance, the idea of Driving Miss Daisy sprang into life. The business began in Havelock North NZ in 2008 with a single vehicle.

Today in New Zealand, the business is nationwide with more than 75 franchises and over 300 vehicles on the road. Since 2015, Driving Miss Daisy has also been firmly established in the UK and continues to expand.

Melanie’s passion is to support the growing Australian network of Daisy franchisees and to have a ‘Daisy’ in every town so that the people in the local community can enjoy fantastic help and assistance from Daisy drivers.

Alan is a Daisy Director of Driving Miss Daisy Australia and part of the team that launched Driving Miss Daisy into the United Kingdom. As one of the most experienced franchise advisors in Australia, Alan’s franchise legal career has taken him around the world, giving him vast experience in what a franchise needs to be great and sustainable.

Alan accepted the award of Franchise Supplier of the Year two years running from the Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) as well as an overseas award for Franchise Excellence. He spent 6 years as a Director of the FCA.

Alan now applies his experience to advance the interests of Driving Miss Daisy, each franchisee business owner and those wonderful individuals (our Daisy clients) that have fallen in love with the friendly companion service and help provided by their Daisy companion drivers. His knowledge continues the improvement in technology, good communication, marketing and documentation that strengthens the Daisy brand and the ability of each franchise business owner to professionally assist their Daisy clients and brighten up their day.

Alan married his law school sweetheart. They have two adult children and the two Driving Miss Daisy poodles Remy and Rory.

Roxanne brings a strong background in business and marketing, with experience in the NDIS and community services sector. She works closely with franchisees to understand the NDIS and grow their businesses through local marketing strategies, meaningful connections within the NDIS and Aged Care sectors, and sustainable referral partnerships. She is also actively involved in franchisee recruitment, supporting the continued growth of the Driving Miss Daisy network.

Roxanne’s passion for community service has been shaped from a young age through her involvement with Lions Clubs International, where she founded a Leos Club at 14, creating opportunities for young people to engage in community initiatives. Her strong commitment to service aligns closely with the values of Driving Miss Daisy - care, respect, and supporting people to live independently and well. Roxanne is proud to be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in communities across Australia.

Sally brings more than 25 years of experience across franchising, partnerships, and community-led business growth, supporting franchise networks and service-led organisations in Australia and internationally. She works closely with Driving Miss Daisy franchisees to help build strong, trusted local businesses grounded in genuine relationships and connections within their communities.

Sally’s role focuses on strategic guidance, mentoring, and training — helping franchisees identify growth opportunities, build confidence in their decision-making, and develop sustainable referral relationships that support long-term success. Her calm, practical approach is particularly valued by service-focused operators who want to grow in a way that feels achievable and aligned.

Sally also supports the growth of the Driving Miss Daisy network through franchisee recruitment, helping prospective franchisees to understand the opportunity and assess their alignment. Her work reflects the values at the heart of Driving Miss Daisy — care, respect, and helping people live independently and well — while supporting both the success of the business and the well-being of the person running it.

As part of the Driving Miss Daisy Head Office Support, Cassy is all about making connections. She’s the go-to person at Driving Miss Daisy for connecting clients with their local Daisy Companions, making support a breeze for people of all ages and abilities.

Patience is her thing - she loves chatting to our amazing elderly clients and is always happy to hear about their day!

Cassy also has a solid background in disability and NDIS support, bringing expertise and heart into everything she does.

With a strong background in customer service and leadership, Rachel brings valuable experience from her time as a Branch Manager at Australia Post. She is passionate about delivering exceptional service and enjoys building meaningful relationships across the Driving Miss Daisy network.

In her role, Rachel supports the network across a range of areas, including onboarding new franchisees, assisting with marketing activities, and providing general support. She works closely with franchisees to guide them through setup and ongoing needs, helping them feel confident and well supported.

Rachel values teamwork, communication and a solutions-focused approach, and takes pride in helping others feel supported and set up for success.

Robbie brings a lifetime of care, connection and practical support to her role, with extensive experience working alongside people with disabilities across both community and educational settings — from children through to adults.

With a background as a Personal Assistant to a Senior Pastor for over 15 years, Robbie has developed a unique ability to listen deeply, anticipate needs, and provide calm, capable support in any situation. She is fluent in Auslan, allowing her to communicate effectively and inclusively with members of the Deaf community.

As a mother of five and grandmother of eleven, Robbie understands the importance of trust, patience, and genuine care. Her lived experience within the NDIS space, combined with her naturally solution-focused mindset, means she is always looking for ways to make life easier, more comfortable, and more connected for those she supports.

Robbie is known for her kindness, compassion, and her ability to build meaningful relationships. She loves researching and finding practical solutions to challenges, and is deeply motivated by helping others feel confident, supported, and empowered.

Whether it’s offering a listening ear, navigating complex needs, or simply being a steady and reliable presence, Robbie will always go above and beyond to ensure the people she supports feel valued, understood, and cared for.

Find Your Local Daisy