In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the most creative faces in Melbourne with some help from our friend Kathleen Gunther, who partners with independent agencies across Australia and New Zealand to scale their brand presence and drive sustainable growth. This week, we spoke with Divesh Sareen, the founder of After The Why and author of A Migrant’s Life.
1. How long have you been in Melbourne and if you weren’t born here, did you choose it or did it choose you?
Divesh Sareen: I moved to Melbourne from India in February 2008 to pursue my Master’s in IT. At the time, I chose Australia for its strong education opportunities. Over the years, the city has become much more than just a place to study – it’s become home. Melbourne’s diversity, energy, and sense of community are a big part of why I have stayed and built my life here.
2. What’s the most Melbourne thing about the way you or your team works?
DS: One of the most Melbourne things about the way our team works is the diversity of thought and collaboration. Melbourne is such a multicultural city, and that’s reflected in our team, platform, and events as well – people from different backgrounds coming together, sharing ideas openly, and respecting different perspectives. There’s also a strong balance between professionalism and community, where ideas matter, but so do relationships and supporting each other.
3. Who in the local industry has shaped the way you think about leadership or doing business? Tell us about them.
DS: It would be hard to name just one person or influence, because my journey since moving to Australia in 2008 has taken me across different organisations, corporates, start-ups, mentors, and team leaders – and each of them has taught me something that’s shaped who I am today.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is the importance of playing the long game. No matter how technology evolves, people and relationships will always matter. Helping others, supporting your community, and building genuine connections may not bring immediate results, but it always comes back in meaningful ways over time.
That philosophy has become part of our foundation. We have had people we had not spoken to in years come back to support us, collaborate with us, and genuinely want to be part of the initiatives we are building. To me, that’s one of the strongest indicators that you are creating something meaningful.
4. Who in the Melbourne market is doing work that deserves more attention right now
DS: One unspoken rule of doing business in Melbourne is that relationships matter just as much as results. It’s a city built on community, trust, and reputation, and people genuinely value authenticity.
Melbourne has a very connected business ecosystem – people talk, networks overlap, and the way you treat others leaves a lasting impression. If you focus on adding value, supporting people, and building genuine relationships rather than chasing short-term wins, opportunities tend to come back around organically.
5. If you were a Melbourne landmark, what would you be?
DS: I would say the MCG. As a cricket lover, it has always been my favourite place in Melbourne and probably the most special place in the city for me personally. In fact, when I first applied to study in Australia, one of the very first things I searched was how far from my university campus was the MCG.
When I arrived in 2008 as an international student, I could not even afford tickets to watch matches there. But over the years, through hard work, persistence, and staying connected to my purpose, the MCG became part of my own journey in ways I could never have imagined.
In 2023, I had the opportunity to launch my first books, The Indian Mate Vol. 1 & 2, at the MCG, with the scoreboard displaying images from my migrant journey instead of cricket scores – a surreal full-circle moment for me. I have also had the chance to play on the turf once, something every cricket fan dreams of, and now I am preparing to launch Migrants Life Volume 1 there on June 6 while hosting a gala dinner.
To me, the MCG represents the modern-day colosseum of Melbourne – a place where dreams, emotions, resilience, and defining moments come together. It’s a place that once felt out of reach as a migrant student who could not afford a ticket, but over time became part of my own story.
In many ways, that journey reflects what I try to build through my work: creating opportunities, bringing people together, and showing others that with persistence, community, and belief, even the biggest dreams can become reality.
Kathleen Gunther is the founder of Gunther Consulting, partnering with independent agencies across Australia and New Zealand to scale their brand presence and drive sustainable growth. With expertise spanning digital marketing, brand strategy, PR and communications, she brings the pragmatism, specialist connections and industry know-how to help agencies market their most important client — themselves. Kathleen also serves as a Board Member of AWIA, actively shaping Australia’s digital landscape and championing inclusivity in the industry.
