Credit: IMAA
Independent Media Agencies Australia (IMAA) has appointed 39 mentors for its 2026 Female Leaders of Tomorrow, the most since the program started.
The mentors, drawn from agencies, media organisations and brands across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, will be paired with emerging female industry leaders over six-month program facilitated by WeGrow founder Wendy Gower.
The program includes online and face-to-face sessions covering career advice, leadership, problem solving and industry skills development.
Princess Cruises head of marketing Chloe Jones said mentoring was important in an industry where career paths are often non-linear and leadership representation at senior levels still has room to grow.
"Strong mentors help bridge that gap by sharing experience, opening doors and creating safe spaces for learning, challenge and growth," Jones said.
News Australia's Head of Entertainment, Multi-Platform & Audio, Sarrah Le Marquand, said women remain under-represented in senior leadership positions in media.
"To play a role in supporting the nation's emerging female leaders is not only a serious responsibility, but also an opportunity to turn platitudes into tangible action, and to learn from one another in the process," Le Marquand said.
IMAA chief executive Sam Buchanan said the group represents a rare combination of skills and experience.
"The value of strong guidance for emerging industry talent should not be underestimated, all our past mentees have spoken of the confidence and support they received from their mentors," Buchanan said.
The program is designed for women who hold manager or director positions, with a minimum of five years' experience in any media agency or associated discipline.
The 39 mentees were recently announced. The programme started last week in Sydney before moving to Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
oOh!media is supporting the programme and will host speed networking sessions in its offices.
The record number of mentors include Rebecca Ackland (SCA chief people and culture officer), Marilla Akkermans (Equality Media & Marketing managing director), Jacquie Alley (The Media Store chief operating officer), John Arnott (AMP director, small business and personal banking), Shaun Briggs (Specsavers director of marketing planning ANZ), Tennille Burt (QMS chief marketing officer), Belinda Cook (Mamamia head of audio sales) and Virginia Hyland (Squad M&A chief executive and commercial partner).
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