Independent Media Agencies Australia (IMAA) has unveiled the 39 mentors set to participate in this year’s Female Leaders of Tomorrow programme.
The mentors will be paired with this year’s cohort of emerging female industry leaders for professional development, training and networking opportunities.
The mentors will meet with their mentees across a six-month programme, facilitated by WeGrow founder Wendy Gower, for online and face-to-face sessions, designed to provide career advice and guidance around leadership, problem solving and upskilling in the industry.
The 2026 Female Leaders of Tomorrow mentors are:
• Rebecca Ackland – Chief people and culture officer SCA
• Marilla Akkermans – Managing director Equality Media & Marketing
• Jacquie Alley – Chief operating officer The Media Store
• Peta Allsopp – Fractional chief marketing officer Ask Marketing
• John Arnott – Director small business and personal banking AMP
• Cath Brands – Chief growth officer Social Pinpoint
• Shaun Briggs – Director of marketing planning ANZ Specsavers
• Tennille Burt – Chief marketing officer QMS
• Belinda Cook – Head of audio sales Mamamia
• Antonell Doyle – Group commercial director Nova Entertainment
• Craig Ellis – Advisor self employed
• Nic Fry – Chief marketing officer Merlo Coffee
• Bel Harper – Chief product and marketing officer oOh!media
• Virginia Hyland – Chief executive officer and commercial partner Squad M&A
• Chloe Jones – Head of marketing Princess Cruises
• Karla Judge – Head of marketing tourism Ingenia Communities Group
• Jenny La Brooy – Mentor and coach self employed
• Sarrah Le Marquand – Head of entertainment multi-platform and audio | Portfolio strategy and news 360 News Australia
• Vanessa Lyons – Chief executive officer ThinkNewsBrands
• Jessica Miles – Country manager ANZ IAS
• Stephanie Mills – Director sales marketing and content Hoyts
• Philippa Moig – Chief executive officer UNLTD
• Renee Murray – Head of people and culture Half Dome
• Ali O’Connor – Fractional chief marketing officer self employed
• Camey O’Keefe – Director and founder Gambol Creative & Suit School
• Lynda Pallone – Head of marketing Horticulture Innovation Australia
• Jenny Parkes – Managing director Audience360
• Louise Rathbone – General manager marketing AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, Football Australia
• Amanda Reid – Head of partnerships Dilate
• Catherine Reynolds – Chief executive officer Open Universities Australia
• Genevieve Reynolds – Partner customer and brand Tenet Advisory & Investments
• Suzanne Robertson – Head of member engagement and communications AustralianSuper
• James Rose – Managing director Channel Factory
• Michelle Rowling – Head of marketing and sales Sydney Zoo
• Renee Stopps – Regional sales director partner sales APAC Microsoft
• Mandi Tapp – Commercial director Brisbane Nova Entertainment
• Essie Wake – Chief marketing officer JCDecaux Australia
• Louise Wilson – Head of growth and mid-market ANZ LinkedIn
News Australia’s head of entertainment multi-platform and audio Sarrah Le Marquand said: “It is easy to talk about the importance of women supporting women, but good intentions and platitudes alone will not help the next generation in building and sustaining a fulfilling and meaningful career.
“Given that women remain under-represented in senior leadership positions in media, as is regretfully also true of most industries in Australia even as we find ourselves in 2026, 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.” she added
IMAA CEO Sam Buchanan said: “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. Similarly, our mentors also continue to walk away from the programme with their own fresh insights and a renewed understanding of the importance of helping build confidence, clarity and momentum for nascent media agency professionals.”
