Australia’s top marketing and media executives have been confirmed as mentors for the 2026 Female Leaders of Tomorrow programme, with Independent Media Agencies Australia (IMAA) announcing a record 39 mentors for this year’s intake.
The nationwide professional development initiative pairs emerging female leaders with senior industry figures across agencies, media owners and brands, spanning New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.
The announcement follows last week’s confirmation of the programme’s largest-ever mentee cohort, with 39 participants selected from a record number of applications.
Six-month programme focused on leadership and growth
Now in its third year, the Female Leaders of Tomorrow programme runs over six months and is facilitated by WeGrow founder Wendy Gower.
It combines online and in-person sessions focused on leadership capability, problem-solving, career progression and industry skills.
Mentors and mentees will meet regularly throughout the programme, with IMAA positioning the initiative as a long-term investment in leadership capability within the independent media sector.
Wendy Gower
Senior industry figures step forward as mentors
The 2026 mentor line-up includes C-suite executives, commercial leaders and senior marketers from across the industry, including representatives from oOh!media, News Australia, Nova Entertainment, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Specsavers, QMS, Hoyts, JCDecaux and AustralianSuper.
IMAA said the breadth of experience among mentors was a key strength of the programme, offering mentees exposure to a wide range of leadership styles, business models and career pathways.
Mentors on turning intent into action
Commenting on the importance of mentoring, Princess Cruises Head of Marketing Chloe Jones said leadership support plays a critical role in navigating non-linear careers.
“Mentoring is especially important in our industry, where career paths are often non-linear, and leadership representation at senior levels still has room to grow,” Jones said.
“Strong mentors help bridge that gap by sharing experience, opening doors and creating safe spaces for learning, challenge and growth.”
News Australia’s Sarrah Le Marquand, Head of Entertainment, Multi-Platform & Audio, said mentoring needed to move beyond good intentions.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Sarrah Le Marquand
IMAA: guidance benefits mentors as much as mentees
IMAA CEO Sam Buchanan said the programme’s impact extends beyond the mentees themselves.
“It’s an honour to have nearly 40 of Australia’s top media and marketing talent as part of this year’s Female Leaders of Tomorrow programme,” 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.”
He added that mentors consistently report gaining fresh insights through the experience, reinforcing the value of cross-generational learning.
Programme underway across four states
The 2026 programme officially kicked off last week in Sydney and will continue in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. It is proudly supported by oOh!media, which will host speed networking sessions as part of the initiative.
More information on the programme is available via the IMAA website.
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 & 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 & Coach, self employed
· Sarrah Le Marquand – Head of Entertainment, Multi-Platform & Audio | Portfolio Strategy & News 360, News Australia
· Vanessa Lyons – Chief Executive Officer, ThinkNewsBrands
· Jessica Miles – Country Manager ANZ, IAS
· Stephanie Mills – Director, Sales, Marketing & Content, Hoyts
· Philippa Moig – Chief Executive Officer, UNLTD
· Renee Murray – Head of People & Culture, Half Dome
· Ali O’Connor – Fractional Chief Marketing Officer, self employed
· Camey O’Keefe – Director & 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 & Brand, Tenet Advisory & Investments
· Suzanne Robertson – Head of Member Engagement and Communications, AustralianSuper
· James Rose – Managing Director, Channel Factory
· Michelle Rowling – Head of Marketing & 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 & Mid-Market ANZ, LinkedIn