Business Career Mentor Program

Amina Mujkic

Recruitment and HR Coordinator
Centacare Catholic Family Services
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2019

Amina has been working in human resource management roles for over six years, in small, medium and large sized organisations across the not-for-profit and private sectors. Her current role is a Recruitment and HR Coordinator at Centacare, a South Australian not-for-profit organisation with over 500 employees and 100 volunteers. Amina holds a Master of Human Resource Management from the University of South Australia and a Bachelor of Arts (Politics major) from Adelaide University.

Amina has a passion for sharing her experience with new or upcoming graduates who are looking to commence or progress their career. Amina understands the experience of being a new graduate, as a daughter of recent migrants with very few professional networks or contacts. She has been able to build a successful career through persistence, luck and the guidance of some wonderful mentors. Her desire is to share her learnings and 'pay it forward'. 

Areas of specialisation

• Recruitment
• Human resources.

Professional interests

• Australian Human Resources Institute
• Australasian Legal Practice Managers Association.

Andrew Sullivan

Managing Director
Sullivan Consulting
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2019

Andrew is a proud UniSA graduate, with over 17 years of executive recruitment experience. Andrew began his recruitment career in London, managing teams of up to 60 staff. Andrew created a business from scratch with a vision for changing the recruitment industry, having a passion for social media, marketing and communications (with over 70,000 followers). Andrew currently leads a team of five staff. Andrew has interviewed over 5,000 people and successfully placed over 600 candidates in their dream jobs. He is passionate about communities and volunteer and raise a significant money for select charities each year, and a proud father of two children. Andrew is ambitious and looking to drive future growth in business overseas.

Areas of specialisation

• Recruitment, executive recruitment
• Human resources
• Business management
• Leadership
• Business development
• Sales.

Professional interests

• Boards
• Associations
• Volunteering.

Emily Maxwell

HR Advisor
Ingham's Enterprises
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Emily holds a Master of Human Resources Management from UniSA and a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and International Business) from the University of Adelaide. As a Human Resource Advisor at Ingham’s, she provides HR support across the state to over 2000 mixed discipline employees in a FMCG environment.

As a HR generalist, Emily recruits statewide, provides assistance with employee and IR matters, stakeholder management and reporting and supports projects for the wider business. She has previously worked in recruitment in a retail space and enjoys the fast-paced nature of HR in a FMCG industry and the challenges that come with it.

As a recent graduate and a participant of the Executive Mentor Program she understands the importance of having someone to provide support and direction and understands the benefits of participating in mentor programs. She hopes to help her mentee to transition their university-based skills and knowledge in to the workplace and share her experiences.

Areas of specialisation

• Recruitment and staffing
• Employee and industrial relations
• Training and development.

Professional interests

• Australian Human Resource Institute
• Industrial Relations Society of South Australia.

Ian Moore

Partner
Self-employed consultant at moore@work
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Ian has been providing services to HR professionals for 20 years, in Australia, the UK and US, and is currently a partner in an HR consulting company with his wife, specialising in strategic approaches to HR and business in general. Ian is pragmatic and always applies common sense and honesty into his work. 

Ian has been the General Manager of a $40m business with 35 staff, has a practical working knowledge of P&Ls and business management, and recently delivered the Employer Brand for UniSA, of which he is very proud.

Ian focuses on employer branding and strategic recruiting, Indigenous employment strategy (working with Aboriginal colleagues and friends), change management, and how to best set up for success.

Areas of specialisation

• Human resources
• Business manangement.

Professional interests

• Currently mentoring through a global HR Forum.

Ives Tay

Adjunct Faculty
Institute for Adult Learning
Based in Singapore

Mentor since 2017

Ives is a learning and development expert and graduated with a Master of Social Science degree in Human Resource Development and Master of Science (with Merit) in Training degree from the University of Leicester, UK. He also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of South Australia.

Ives is a key architect and influencer of the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) and Skills Framework (SFw) systems, having spent seven years as a Principal Manager with the then-regulator, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (now Skillsfuture Singapore), where he led teams of officers and auditors in regulating Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and their courses. He went on to become an Adjunct with the Institute for Adult Learning Singapore, helping to build the capabilities of aspiring and in-service trainers, assessors, curriculum developers, and quality assurance managers.

Prior to this, Ives was the Asia Hub Quality Manager for City and Guilds, leading the UK-based vocational assessment and accreditation qualifications awarding body.

He is highly regarded in the industry and continues to be consulted by schools, training providers, companies, professional organisations and regulatory bodies on learning and quality assurance matters.

Areas of specialisation

• Human resources development.

Professional interests

• Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development.

Leah Hendry

HR Business Partner
Saab
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2018

Leah is a highly motivated, initiative driven and dynamic HR professional with a continuous improvement mindset. She has a keen desire to continuously develop her HR skills and leverage her contemporary knowledge and HR experiences.

Leah is studying Business Law at Adelaide University. She holds a Master of Human Resource Management from the University of South Australia, a Bachelor of Health Science from Flinders University and is Six Sigma Green Belt qualified.

Leah is actively involved in the HR community. She is the Convenor for the Australian Human Resource Institute (AHRI) Emerging HR Professionals Network. During her studies at UniSA, Leah was a Postgraduate Student Ambassador for AHRI and a Postgraduate Student Representative for UniSA’s Teaching and Learning Committee.
Leah is passionate to share her experiences and support those who are new or future graduates looking to commence or who are in their early stages of their careers.

Areas of specialisation

• Human resources

Professional interest

• Australian Human Resources Institute
• UniSA Business and Law Alumnus

Luke Scicluna

General Manager
Horner Management
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Luke started his first business when he was 19 years old and successfully sold it three years later after employing 25 staff. Luke also ran his family event business from 2013-2018 and was a big part of its sale in early 2018. He later began his own cleaning business.

Luke enjoys being self-employed, and always wanted to follow his passion, so he teamed up with Horner Management as their General Manager. His future goal is to move into sales and property development. Horner Management recently took out the Strata Community Association Medium Business of the Year Award.

Areas of specialisation

• Management
• Culture
• Business development.

Professional interests

• Boards
• Keynote speaking.

Madhu Jeyakumaran

Director
Think Stride Coaching and Consulting
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Madhu believes that the world will be a better place with diversity of thought and gender-balanced leadership. She created Think Stride, to enable this vision. As a leadership coach and facilitator, she works with organisations to build inclusive leaders and enable women in leadership. She also delivers Executive Programs for leading universities in South Australia.

Prior to creating Think Stride, she worked for large corporate organisations like PwC and HSBC Bank for close to a decade. She managed and led people-transformation projects in the areas of cultural transformation, diversity & inclusion, talent management, and leadership development.

Madhu has spoken at various national and international forums to support the cause of women in leadership. She authored the book ‘Stride, A woman’s guide to an extraordinary life, career, and leadership’ in January 2019.
She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and is a Certified behavioural profiler (Extended DISC), Intelligent Leadership Practitioner and a credentialled Meta Dynamics Transformational Coach.

Professional interests

Stephanie Goodwin

Westpac Banking Corporation
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2019

Stephanie is the Graduate and Intern Coordinator for Westpac Group (Consumer Bank). She is responsible for on-boarding and coordinating the intern and graduate programs across SA, Vic and NSW. Steph also attends outreach opportunities with universities to attract more students.

Previously Stephanie was a Branch Manager for BankSA, maintaining a branch with a great reputation for skills, willingness to learn and assistance. She is experienced in people management, relationship management, project management and strategy. Stephanie also enjoys giving back to the community and regularly volunteers at fundraisers and charity events.

Stephanie believes he Business Career Mentor Program is a great opportunity to put her skills to use and contribute in shaping the talent of SA.

Areas of specialisation

• Graduate and intern programs
• Consumer bank knowledge
• Previous branch manager.

Professional interests

• Community volunteering.

Tze Moi (Christina) Yung

BT Panorama Specialist
Westpac Group
Based in Adelaide

Mentor Since 2020

Prefers to be called Christina, has 28 years of industry experience, out of which 17 years were in HR leadership and business management roles. She holds an MBA from Monash University and Chartered Secretary professional qualification from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators, UK. Christina developed vast work exposure in the private, public-listed and multinational company environment across various banking, energy, agriculture, fishery and FMCG industries.

In her past two years of employment, she worked with a Swiss Cocoa/Chocolate MNC as Regional HR Business Partner for three global functions - Operations Supply Chain Organisation/QA/R&D, and as Malaysia Country HR Lead she offered partnership support, advisory and coaching in the areas of organizational development, talent acquisition, talent management, succession planning, compensation and benefits, performance management, HR policies and frameworks, IR/ER, change management and worked across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China, India and Japan.

Newly arrived in Adelaide, Christina currently works as BT Panorama Specialist for BT Financial Group, a wealth management arm of Westpac Group. In addition, she is currently a volunteer for the University of Adelaide Talking with Aussies (TWA) program that helps international students practise their conversational English.

Christina is passionate about helping people in reaching their career aspiration and growth.

Areas of specialisation

• Human resources

Professional interests

• AHRI
• Alumni - Monash University

Aaron Michelon

Senior Marketing Scientist
Ehrenberg-Bass Institute of Marketing Science
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2016

Aaron has a diverse background with SME start-ups. He co-founded a high-tech start-up that developed education software, while establishing award-winning retail businesses before moving into consulting. Aaron has experience in local advertising campaigns, events and public relations. After selling both the software company and retail stores, he spent the next 15 years in hospitality and business coaching.

Now a Senior Marketing Scientist at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science, Aaron has broad practical experience working on large-scale commercial research projects for local and international clients. His projects include distinctive asset measurement, category entry point research and brand tracking. His key academic research focus is on media efficiency and advertising effectiveness, which has been published in the Journal of Advertising Research.

He has a double MBA with a Masters in Marketing, Master of Business (Research) from UniSA, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is currently completing his PhD. Aaron was awarded Best Player for best business strategy at the 2017 International Graduate Competition in Montreal.

Aaron plans to advance his commercial work at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute in global contract research, consulting CMOs, and disseminating knowledge as an academic.

Areas of specialisation

• Business coaching
• Business administration
• Strategy
• Management systems
• Financial analysis
• Marketing science
• Branding
• Consumer behaviour
• Advertising and media.

Professional interests

• Board director
• GAICD.

Andy Tan

Cloud Operations Manager
LinkByNet
Based in Singapore

Mentor since 2017

Mr Andy Tan is a practitioner within the IT enterprise Cloud Technology Architect domain for Digital transformation through technology innovation and VUCA digital disruptions. As a global Business-IT interdisciplinary T-Shaped professional, he rendered services with Global-500 Multinational Corporation (MnC), spanning across TechCo, Industrial Conglomerates, Enterprise Managed Services & Global (ERP) Consulting practices to benefit renowned clients.

A keen practitioner of continuous learning, he had obtained leading certifications to augment his professional experience and achievements. Mr Tan was awarded with 2 postgraduate degrees in business management, to complement his earlier degree in Information Technology. He had achieved several leading industry recognised certifications.

Areas of specialisation

• Cloud technology
• Cybersecurity
• Enterprise architecture.

Professional interests

• Cloud
• Project management
• Disruptive technology
• Cyber security.

Anthony Coles

Executive Director 
H+Lab
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

With broad industry sector and international business experience, Anthony has held roles as start-up founder, investor and fundraiser, general manager (Sales & Marketing) and ultimately, CEO of an ASX-Listed Company. A former President of the Australian Marketing Institute in SA, Anthony led the commercial application of new digital marketing technologies in the Internet 1.0 & 2.0 eras, founding one of Australia's first digital agencies and growing that company to be ranked in Top 10 in Australia. During this disruptive period, Anthony led education programs in digital transformation for industry associations, university MBA programs and local and state government.

A Leo Burnett advertising agency graduate, Anthony helped establish the Starcom Media Digital business in South Australia, heading up strategy planning on the SA Government master media contract. Anthony moved into sales and marketing roles in the renewables sector. Visits to South Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia and Singapore on product sourcing missions followed. As CEO of an ASX-listed renewables company, Anthony led fundraising and entrapreneurial innovations in FinTech, e-Commerce and e-Learning.

On exit following a successful trade merger, Anthony moved into China/Asia trade and investment. Anthony has developed relationships in the investment, Incubator and university-led commercialisation environment in China and ASEAN markets, now extending to networks in the US and Europe. With a focus on wellbeing and mental health, Anthony maintains ongoing studies in UN sustainable development goals, executive coaching, emotional intelligence and yoga.

Anthony's focus is on supporting innovation and change through global social impact businesses.

Areas of specialisation

• Innovation
• Entrepreneurship
• International business.

Professional interests

• Coaching
• Yoga
• Commercialisation
• Tourism
• China.

Colin Song

Managing Partner
Syxtnt Consulting
Based in Malaysia

Mentor since 2013

Colin is the Managing Partner of Syxtnt Consulting, a boutique consultancy specialising in enterprise business IT, big data analytics and technology start-up advisory.

He has more than 20 years of business experience in telecommunications and financial services industries and specialises in business IT, big data, analytics, customer experience and mobile money solutions covering the Asia Pacific. He has held regional sales and senior executive positions with some of the world's leading technology companies such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, Verifone Mobile Money, Evolving Systems and Fuji Xerox.

Colin graduated with an MBA from the University of South Australia, and completed the Business in China Intensive school program held at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, and The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing. He is the current VP of the UniSA Alumni Malaysia Chapter, and has served as President and committee member since 2011.

Areas of specialisation

• Telecom software
• Analytics
• Mobile commerce, advertisement
• Enterprise sales
• Marketing management.

Professional interests

• UniSA Alumni Association - Malaysian Chapter.

David Tham

Managing Partner
nanoKnowledge®
Based in Perth

Mentor since 2016

David is the founder of nanoKnowledge, the world's first enterprise knowledge brokerage and management consulting network established in 2003. He has been involved in innovation and enterprise since graduating with Honours in 2000. His early career progressed rapidly; from medical journalist and editor, to creative director of a dot com company specialising in e-learning and streaming media technology, to chief knowledge officer of Raffles Hotels and Swissotel chains. In 2003, David started nanoKnowledge Singapore to create new experiences of training and collective learning. In 2004, he served as a senior consultant to the Singapore Government on workplace development matters. Today, nanoKnowledge has headquarters in Australia with representatives and associates around the world, connecting industries, businesses and schools to interdisciplinary areas of opportunity.

David is also the founding partner of nanoKnowledge Australia. He is a business mentor and investor in several other businesses. He was a research commercialisation scholar at Curtin University and is a published research conference author on the subject of marketing tourism and music to social media audiences. His story of entrepreneurship was chosen by Curtin University in 2016 as a case study to teach and assess its business students on opportunity recognition.

As an experienced mentor, David's message to UniSA students is: "I hope to inspire you to be more innovative, breaking uncharted territory and showing others how to follow. I look forward to journeying with you."

Area of specialisation

• Innovation and education
• Tourism and hospitality
• Startup enterprise and marketing
• Public relations and advertising
• Media and information technology
• Telecommunications and training
• Sports and recreation
• Music and the arts
• Leadership and career mentoring.

Professional interests

• Tourism Council of Western Australia
• Connecting Southern Gold Coast
• Gurteen Knowledge Community
• Farming Champions (WA)

James Bell

Management Consultant
Axilia
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2015

James is the founder of Axilia Consulting group, a collaborative consulting model, focused on accessing the best of multiple disciplines and specialities to deliver creative, innovative and practical problem solving, process improvement and best practices to organisations in the contemporary business environment.

Working in the corporate banking sector for almost a decade, James found it all too common that businesses were missing opportunities by following ‘tried and tested’ methods and missing out on the benefits of new ideas. This inspired a passion for creating new approaches from the big-picture down; from board governance, strategy and culture to leadership, management and processes.

Reflecting his passion for leveraging multi-disciplinary approaches, James has a range of qualifications, including two bachelor degrees, a Master of Marketing and an MBA from the QS Stars, 5-star program at the University of South Australia Business School. He is continuing to expand these fundamental connections through study in psychology, as well as academic research.

James also has experience with several small businesses, in multiple sectors and currently serves on the board of directors for a start-up firm.

Areas of specialisation

• Finance
• Economics
• Management
• Communication Technology
• Business Analysis
• Innovation

Professional interests

• UniSA Business School Alumni
• SME & NFP Directorship
• GAICD
• Multi-disciplinary management research

Johannes Boroh

SilkAir (Singapore) 
Based in Singapore

Mentor since 2017

Johannes is an airline captain with SilkAir (Singapore) and has nearly 30 years of narrowbody jet flying experience with various major airlines. Johannes, better known as Joe, was a mentor for a group of First Officers and Second Officers, and has instructional experiences in three major airlines. He obtained his MBA from UniSA in 2002 and his bachelor degree in management from Nusantara Institute of Business in Jakarta.

Joe is currently undertaking a doctoral research (DBA) at SDA Bocconi School of Management (transferring from Alliance Manchester Business School, and is expecting completion in 2020.

He previously worked as a lecturer of management studies, as well as held various managerial positions in Merpati Airlines. His interests include topics in business models, disruptive innovation, airline industry.

Areas of specialisation

• Business models
• Disruptive innovation
• Airline management/operations.

Professional interests

• Associations.

Mathieu Bazin

Account Manager
Hilti 
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Mathieu graduated in 2018 with a Law and Science Bachelor Double Degree. During his time studying, Mathieu founded and ran UniSA's entrepreneur club, serving for two years as President. Upon graduating, Mathieu secured a full-time position with a venture capital firm, E-Story, as a associate co-ordinator. There he learned international project management, event management, and leadership.

A year later, Mathieu secured a full-time role at Hilti, a multi-national company leading in premium construction tools, engineered fixings, and software services, under their graduate development program. Under Hilti, Mathieu has been exposed to international and domestic professional career development, corporate project management, account management, and high-level mentorship in areas of financial planning and analysis, contracts, civil engineering, sales, and product management.

Being a recent graduate and understanding the importance of mentorship, Mathieu wants to help guide ambitious students with their early career path.

Areas of specialisation

• Customer analysis, account development
• Data quality management
• Project development, CRM software
• Negiotiation, external construction (structural steel, facade), HSE compliance (construction).

Professional interests

• Contracts
• Intellectual property
• Leadership
• Strategy.

Nancy Emil

Founder and CEO
Nancy Emil Consulting
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Nancy is a seasoned international trade professional with a long political acumen in the Middle East and Australia. She served as a political advisor for Ministers on economic development . Nancy also advised MLCs and MPs in other parts of the world including Australia. Nancy comes with a wealth of international trade experience as she held trade and investment advisor positions at the Governments of Canada, UK and Germany. Through her career, she advised CEOs of multinational organizations in the sectors of oil and gas, aviation, railways, defence and education. The long list of companies advised by her include BP, BG, Shell, BAE Systems, Bombardier and Rolls Royce among others.

In Australia, she served briefly as an advisor for the Member of the Legislative Council for the Pilbara. As a Manager at the South Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she managed the portfolios of international trade, translation and migration.

Nancy is a writer, speaker and strategist in the space of international trade and cultural competencies

Areas of specialisation

• International Trade and Development

Professional interests

• Director of the Board of multiple not for profits

MD Zaidul Alam

Co-Founder WISECAR PTY LTD, Technical Systems Analyst & Mentor in Government of South Australia
Government of South Australia and WISECAR PTY LTD
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Zaidul is working in the South Australian Public Sector for more than seven years and recently co-founded WISECAR PTY LTD which is supported by the Founder Institute program. He also has experience of working with world-leading telecommunication companies in different regions of the world.

Zaidul currently mentoring graduates for the Skilling SA program for the Government of South Australia, a career access mentor of the University of Adelaide and involved with several graduate development programs. He was a delegate of the University Scholars Leadership Symposium 2018 and has been working with GovHack Australia since 2018. Currently, he is working as the National data lead for the GovHack Australia-New Zealand International operations team.

Zaidul loves to guide students on their career path and finding the right workplace.

Areas of specialisation

• Information Technology
• Innovation
• Data Science
• loud Computing
• Blockchain

Professional interests

• Mentoring
• Boards
• Decision making
• Graduate development
• Job readiness advice

Peter Moller

Business Development Manager
Rubicon Water
Based in the USA

Mentor since 2015

Peter has embraced innovation throughout his food & agricultural career, and as an agronomist and Agtech pioneer co-founded and created entrepreneurial start-ups whilst based in California and Australia. He has created new agri-business models and achieved commercial success with innovative smart water solutions which have been adopted globally for the sustainable production of food, fibre and beverage, using less water to grow more crop.

Peter founded, owned and managed for 10 years an irrigation management and consulting company. This business has merged as foundation for a start-up with Peter co-founding an Australian Agtech company developing smart water technologies and was involved as part of the executive management team for 10 years. Peter established the Australian company’s presence for the North and Latin American markets, relocating to California for 6 years. This business was later sold to US Private Equity firm.

Peter completed his MBA in 2015 at UniSA, with interests in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Leadership, Marketing and Change Management and participated in the Business in China study tour, focusing on opportunities for food security and natural resource management. He is also graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course in 2016 through UniSA.

Areas of specialisation

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Strategic Management
• Marketing
• International Business
• Agronomy & Irrigation Management

Professional interests

• Chartered Agriculturalist (CAg) Ag Institute Australia
• Certified Agricultural Irrigation Specialist ( CAIS ) Irrigation Association – America
• Certified Practising Agriculturalist ( CPAg ) Ag Institute Australia
• Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors ( GAICD )

Simone Douglas

Chief Executive Officer
Social Media AOK
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2013

Simone has over 20 years of experience in corporate management roles encompassing generalist HR recruitment and development of small to large teams across multiple sites, industry sectors and states.

She is currently the CEO and Director of Social Media AOK, Adelaide's premier social media agency, publican and licensee of the Duke of Brunswick Hotel and the Executive Director of BNI Adelaide North. She is also the author of Seriously Social: Turning your online game into real world gain.

Areas of specialisation

• Business and marketing
• Social media
• Change management
• Workplace culture
• Business management,
• Compliance, growth strategies and restructuring.

Professional interests

• Adelaide Business Central
• Business Networking International
• Showcase SA
• SATIC.

Steve Hutchison

GM Innovation and Product Management
Philmac- Aliaxis
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2017

Steve is an international product development professional with over 20 years' global experience in high volume consumer goods backed by a passionate entrepreneurial flair. He has cross category experience in managing the development engineering and marketing of product for leading international major appliances brands.

Steve is a commercially astute and results-driven professional with a comprehensive understanding of product innovation and development. He is a highly skilled leader with a consistent track record of developing and motivating teams towards producing optimum results, and providing organisations and teams with a clear sense of direction. Steve possesses above average planning and execution abilities, with demonstrated experience in formulating and executing strategic plans ultimately resulting in increased organisational performance and efficiency levels, significantly reduced costs and improved profitability.

Areas of specialisation

• R&D
• Marketing
• Product development.

Professional interests

• AIM
• PDMA.

Steve Testar

Co-Founder and Director
Showcase South Australia
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Steve is the CEO and Co-Founder of Showcase South Australia (www.showcasesa.com.au). Showcase South Australia stepped in to carry on the great work Brand South Australia had been running for 8 years.

They are an independent membership based organisation that connects businesses in South Australia and promotes increased collaborations. They run CEO lunches, networking events, unique behind the scene tours and professional development and training.

Steve also owns and runs the Realis Property (www.realisproperty.com.au), a sales and marketing business which specialises in off the plan selling for townhouses and land developments. Steve has launched Adelaide apartment buildings in Singapore and Hong Kong in the past and ran sales and marketing in SA for AVJennings for 5 years and boutique developer ChaseCrown for the previous 7 years.

Born in England Steve moved to Australia as a backpacker when he was 23 years old.
He is married with two young girls and both Steve and his wife are self-employed. His passion is cycling.

In January Steve and his wife ran a Bushfire Fundraising Gala that sold 1400 tickets in one week and raised over $400k for the people affected.

Areas of specialisation

• Innovation
• Entrepreneurship

Stuart Snyder

Director/Retired
Startup Adelaide
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Stuart was co-founder, Director, and CFO of YourAmigo Ltd which was South Australia's exporter of the year in 2008. YourAmigo was incorporated in 1999 and successfully commercialised novel search technology acquired from the Flinders University.

YourAmigo’s was a technology leader in the search marketing space with installations on web sites in over 30 different countries including many of the world’s top 100 e-commerce companies. Headquarters are currently in Adelaide although virtually all sales are now export.

Stuart grew up in Silicon Valley, starting his career as a CPA with KPMG in San Jose, California and migrated to Adelaide in 1993. He is now an investor in South Australian's start-ups; Happy Inspector, Portalalink Solutions, Ping networks, Myvenue, and Frontier microscopy and currently a limited partner in Blackbird Ventures. Stuart spends time mentoring entrepreneurs and volunteering.

Areas of specialisation

• Startup founder
• CFO
• Export Business and Marketing
• Strategy

Professional interests

• SME/Start-ups

Tammie Blackmore

Communications Officer at UniSA Business and CEO at Sheetmetal Australia
UniSA & Sheetmetal Australia
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Tammie's experiences from establishing startups, buying already established organisations and restructuring. liaising with logistic teams for international exporting and importing assists her greatly as a business entrepreneur where she oversees the family's group of companies,

Sheetmetal Australia,
. Specialists in Sheet metal fabrication, Steel | Stainless | Galvanised | Aluminum
Australian Agricultural Supplies
. Supplier in Agricultural machinery | Frost Fans
Gateway Graphics,
. Marketing, print and digital design solutions company
Llandsdowne Procurement Co,
. Procuring long-term global trades for our Chinese counterpart.
. Global commodities trading company

In addition she works at UniSA as our communications officer in the Business Careers Team.

Areas of specialisation

• Manufacturing
• Business Management
• Marketing

Professional interests

• Start Ups
• Marketing
• Business Management

Troy Mohler

Senior Manager
Capgemini
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2018

Troy is an IT professional with extensive experience, having worked as a consultant, project manager and cccountant. He has also served as a business partner, project manager and accountant for several years. Troy served as a board member of Autism SA for close to ten years and is currently Chair of the Board. Troy's current role with Capgemini involves managing onshore and offshore service delivery for SA Power Networks.

His strengths include project delivery, strategy formulation and execution, governance and stakeholder engagement. Troy has a strong interest in the role that emotional intelligence plays in the workplace to influence stakeholders.

Areas of specialisation

• IT
• Strategy.

Professional interests

• GAICD
• Chair of the Board, Autism SA.

John Anthony Sy

Senior Buyer
My Local Foodie Pty Ltd
Based in Sydney

Mentor since 2013

John completed his Masters in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at UniSA in 2010. Throughout his studies John was recognised with several awards and honours including the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Prize for most outstanding results in his studies at UniSA. Although John's achievements do not stop in the classroom, he has attained desirable business outcomes for several industries and organisations. John worked as a purchasing and inventory manager in Australia's number one food service provider for 3 years before he left the country for overseas work.

In 2015, John came back to Australia to work as a Purchasing and Supply Chain Manager at Puretec Pty Ltd, country's leading manufacturer of water filtration system and filters. For 4 years, John led and developed Puretec’s supply chain transformations. Then in 2020, John moved to Sydney to work as Senior Buyer at My Local Foodie, Australia’s team of dedicated foodies who specialise in helping large hospitality venues to become more profitable.

Areas of specialisation

• Supply Chain Management
• Strategic Sourcing
• Procurement
• Logistics and Operations Management
• Industrial/Process Engineering and Business Process Improvement

Professional interests

• UniSA Business & Law Alumni Member
• Golden Key International Honour Society
• Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Australia (CIPSA)
• The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists & Managers (APESMA)

Nicolas Bouvier

General Manager
TUV Rheinland
China

Mentor since 2015

Together with an Engineering Degree, a UniSA MBA via distance learning in Hong Kong, and over 17 years of experience working in China, Nicolas has been exposed to numerous global businesses and multicultural environments throughout his career. Meeting people from diverse origins and backgrounds has given Nicolas many opportunities to observe a wide range of career paths. After completing further studies in leadership, Nicolas is now studying coaching and is passionate about helping smart and dynamic people formulate and optimise their professional development. Nicolas is looking forward to the opportunity to assist a UniSA student in finding their career path and making progress. 

Areas of specialisation

• Management
• Global retail.

Professional interests

• UniSA Business and Law Alumni member
• Greater China
• ASEAN Business.

Segaran Narayanan

Vice President
Schneider Electric
Based in New South Wales

Mentor since 2017

Segaran has over 25 years of experience in supply chain operations beginning with product engineering and R&D at Sony Mechatronics, followed by over six years in quality management at Clipsal. Segaran also worked for over 15 years in operations management and continuous improvement. He has a passion for continuous improvement and lean principles, which has led him to complete his DBA with UniSA focusing on research into lean principles and organisational culture impacts.

Segaran is an advocate for mentoring and gender diversity, helping young people grow and develop into skilled professionals.

Areas of specialisation

• Global supply chain and lean manufacturing.

Professional interests

• Professional engineer.

Sharon Vafiadis

Graduate Recruit
BAE Systems Australia
BAsed in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Sharon graduated in 2019 from UniSA with a Double Masters in Business Management and Integrated Supply Chain Management. Also in 2019 she started with BAE systems as a graduate recruit for the new Frigate program.
Previous to this Sharon worked in UniSA for a couple of years as a Career Adviser and an Event Manager both in Australia and overseas and before that had numerous advisory roles in the aged care industry.
Sharon understands how difficult it can be for new recruits to enter employment in their chosen profession, and would like to share her experience with students.

Areas of specialisation

• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Event Management
• Aged Care Industry

Professional interests

• Logistics of Australia
• UniSA Business Alumni

Todd Candy

ANZ Supply Operations Planning Manager
Treasury Wine Estates
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2014

Todd’s current role is as Manager: Bulk Wine Planning and Vintrepreneur at Treasury Wine Estates. The primary purpose of Todd’s role is to deliver bulk wine resource planning to support production, marketing and winemaking planning processes, ensuring the minimisation of bulk wine write-offs. Todd is required to analyse information and engage stakeholders to align the TWE bulk wine supply/demand position. It encompasses all Australian, New Zealand and South African sourced wine.

Previously, Todd was employed as the Continuous Improvement Coach at Treasury Wine Estates. This position required Todd to lead the operational activities such as continuous improvement training and operational improvement initiatives through the development of CI capability, ensuring the deployment of continuous improvement within the supply business and across the global wine business.

Todd received a Five Years of Service Mentor Award in 2019.

Areas of specialisation

• Continuous improvement
• Supply chain planning 
• Supply chain operations.

Professional interests

• Continuous improvement
• Machine learning
• Optimisation
• Planning.

Anna Hodge

Manager, Education and Training
Rising Sun Pictures
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2019

Anna has been employed in the creative industries for over 20 years, incorporatating secondary teaching, working in the VET sector for close to 18 years and in her current role at Rising Sun Pictures. She has experience in developing, managing and growing educational initiatives in the digital creative industries to reflect the changing and diversifying industry, education and training market.
With a proven record in securing both training and employment opportunities for students, Anna is focused on building strong and secure partnerships between industry and education.  She is also a member of various tertiary education screen and media advisory boards and industry reference groups in Adelaide.

Anna's current role at Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) has given her the opportunity to further extend her skills in industry-driven course development under the banner of the University of South Australia. Her future aspirations include developing improved foundation training opportunities in the digital creative industries for disengaged and at-risk students.

Areas of specialisation

• Education
• Screen
• Media
• Digital arts
• Creative industries
• Audit
• Compliance
• Tertiary study pathways
• Employability skills.

Professional interests

• Various screen advisory boards (secondary and tertiary education).

Dr Amy Wilson

Research & Insights
Global Centre for Modern Ageing
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Dr Amy Wilson is passionate about using her psychology and marketing background to promote the health and wellbeing of individuals and society. Her teaching and research experience is focused on bridging the gap between marketing and health to see how they can work together to promote health and wellbeing and facilitate positive behaviour change.

In Dr Amy Wilson's current role, she conducts research with industry, government and researchers to identify market opportunities to improve the lives of people as they age, by putting consumers and users at the centre of design for new product and service innovations.

Dr Amy Wilson has published research articles, text book chapters, industry reports and media articles, and is on the committee for the Australian Association of Social Marketing and the coordinator of a SA-based behaviour change networking group.

Areas of specialisation

• Research.

Professional interests

• Health and wellbeing
• Health marketing
• Social marketing
• Behaviour change
• Networking.

Dr Arry Tanusondjaja

Senior Marketing Scientist
Ehrenberg-Bass Institute
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2014

Arry forged his career in the finance sector in several Asia Pacific countries, before focusing on the area of research and consumer insights. His career experience includes project management, strategic planning, data analysis and profiling, data mining and predictive data modelling, customer behaviour, as well as brand portfolio research.

He has an Honours degree in Computer Science, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Economics and a PhD in Business, specialising in marketing science. Arry also holds a Qualified Practising Market Researcher (QPMR) status and is a full member of the Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia.

Areas of specialisation

• Market research
• Segmentation
• Analytics
• Consumer behaviour.

Professional interests

• AMSRS SA Division
• Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia Member
• Board Member - Highbury Street Fund (Uniting Church)
• Full member - Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia.

Catherine Eddy

Chief Marketing Officer
Land Services SA
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2019

Catherine completed both her Bachelor and Masters degrees at UniSA; her Masters by Research at the Marketing Science Centre which later became the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute.
She has provided consultancy to many Australian and Global brands over more than 20 years and has recently returned to Adelaide in the CMO role with Eckermann Group.

Her previous role as CEO of GfK ANZ saw her leading the Pacific business in market information and consultancy across consumer electronics, media and entertainment, FMCG, Social and Government and financial services industries.
Prior to joining GfK, Catherine spent 10 years working across Indonesia and Vietnam; the last 4 of which as Managing Director of Nielsen Indonesia.

Catherine is passionate about mentoring and looks forward to helping provide insight and guidance to students.

Areas of specialisation

• Brand and Communications, Sales, Strategy

Professional interests

• AMSRO Board Member
• AidHub Board Member
• Advisory Board St Basils Homes

Christine Evans

Independent Consultant
The Interim
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Christine is a senior brand, marketing and communications leader with in-depth experience across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, including property, financial services, retail and government in the UK and Australia.

She has a particular interest in strategy and planning, providing clear line of sight and alignment with corporate goals and objectives. This background enables Christine to offer support to any size and type of business, including brand strategy, reviews and positioning, marketing-led business planning, content and messaging that stands out from the crowd

Areas of specialisation

• Marketing, digital and media 
• Brand strategy, marketing, internal and external communications
• Digital marketing and social media
• Media strategy
• Driving business and culture change
• Stakeholder and customer engagement 
• Mentoring and developing teams to deliver high performance

Professional interests

• Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute (FAMI)
• Chartered Practising Marketer (CPM)

Courtney Garfoot

Project Director
Nation Creative
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2018

Courtney completed her Bachelor of Management (Marketing) in 2014 and her Bachelor of Laws in 2017. She has worked on some of the largest advertising accounts in South Australia including the Motor Accident Commission. Courtney is currently in a role as a Project Director. She is an integral part of the major campaigns produced for her clients, ensuring budgets are met and all assets are delivered to a high standard and on time.

Career highlights for Courtney include being listed as one of the top 10 marketing graduates in Australia, and being selected as one of 22 from Australia and New Zealand to attend the inaugural AdCamp and completing an internship in Beijing.

Areas of specialisation

• Advertising.

Deanne Loan

Manager, Digital Publishing and Communications
National Centre for Vocational Education Research
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2014

Deanne is a highly experienced senior manager with significant brand, marketing and communications expertise. Deanne has worked at a national level with international experience to deliver high level strategic outcomes that underpin corporate strategy. Deanne works across all areas of an organisation from the Board through to support staff, as well as with a variety of external stakeholders.

Deanne's approach is to build on current successes, bring in fresh and innovative ideas through understanding the market environment and its drivers and engaging with people to build stronger collaboration. Deanne has worked with Cobham Aviation, Osmoflo, Elders and Chariot Internet and is currently Manager: Digital Publishing and Communications for the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER). She also has extensive board experience.

Areas of specialisation

• Marketing
• Brand positioning
• Digital
• Communication.

Dimitri Apostolou

Coworking & Commercial Manager
Huddle
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Dimitri continues to welcome the pursuit for innovation and growth in both business/career opportunities with open arms, a solution focused method and creative tenacity for more than a decade! 

As a UniSA Alumni, his journey has established himself, as a motivational speaker and lecture across both UniSA and Adelaide University for 5+ years, mentor at Business SA, Thinclab and NVI whilst developing specialist skills across senior management roles in SMEs, mining, government, entertainment and national media agencies.

Currently the Founder of Huddle, a social-first business focused on maximising team performance and work+life balance through technology and training, he leads with a strong foundation in company culture and collaboration, advancing Huddle's offering in commercial workplace solutions and a publicly accessible neighbourhood of bookable spaces/pods across Australia.

As a good listener, agile problem solver and forward thinker Dimitri happily invites the moment we can work together.

Areas of specialisation

• Business Development
• Strategic Planning & Acquisition
• Marketing & Digital
• Product Development & Sales
• Training & Team Growth

Fiona Solente

Senior Consultant
University of South Australia
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2018

Fiona has a Bachelor Degree in Marketing and Communications (UniSA 2006) and has worked in the Airline and Tourism Industry before moving in the Higher Education sector in 2010.

Fiona is interested in mentoring students who are interesting in gaining hands on experience in event management and would like to offer placement or internship opportunity to a suitable current student.

Fiona is a result-driven and motivated manager specialised in Event Management, Business Development in the Higher Education sector, Reputational Development, Public Relations, Communications and Employability Skills Development. This background is complemented by a previous career at Cathay Pacific Airways, where excellent customer service skills were valued.

Areas of specialisation

• Event Management
• Direct Marketing
• Digital Marketing
• Stakeholder Relations

Professional interests

• UniSA Alumni Member
• Golden Key International Honour Society

Gary Jaffer

Principal Consultant
equilibrium9
Based near Mt Gambier

Mentor since 2014

Gary has spent 38 years in the marketing, advertising and media industry across Australia and New Zealand, working with some of the world’s great ad agencies including OMD, FCB, DDB and McCann Erickson servicing recognised brands like Toyota, Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, BankSA and San Remo. He has been a regular commentator in the media, advertising and marketing industries, writing a weekly opinion column for Adelaide’s Independent Weekly, video comment for InDaily and as a co-host for Love Digital.

Gary began exploring the nature of humanity more than 25 years ago and has been a meditator for the past 22 years as well as an exponent of mindfulness practices. He is a tutor at the Adelaide School of Practical Philosophy, a voluntary role he has performed for the past 14 years.

Gary's current position is with equilibrium9, a boutique consultancy providing specialist services to organisations, business owners and senior executives. Working with leaders, teams and individuals, equilibrium9 helps identify gaps between desired outcomes and current realities and delivers results via private and personal business counsel. Equilibrium9 utilises a range of practical workshops creating scenarios that enable people to find priority balance, without withdrawing from the challenges presented in the work environment or compromising the need for family and personal time-out.

Gary received a Five Years of Service Mentor Award in 2019.

Areas of specialisation

• Marketing
• Business and executive coaching
• Team facilitation.

Gediminas Lipnickas

Managing Director
GL & Co Consulting
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2018

Gediminas (Ged) completed his Bachelor of International Business at UniSA in 2007 while working in a managerial role at an agricultural machinery company. Recognising his entrepreneurial spirit, he continued his studies in the field of entrepreneurship, attaining a Bachelor of Honors in 2016 from Flinders University. This led to the creation and establishment of GL & Co Consulting, a premier company focusing on providing marketing consulting services. Ged has more than a decade of experience working in managerial roles, market research, business process auditing, and as a business analyst. He channels his passion and experience in marketing by teaching several marketing and management courses at different institutions, including at the University of Adelaide. 

Areas of specialisation

• Marketing.

Greg Kavanagh

Principal and Director
Branded Culture
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Greg has more than 20 years’ experience in marketing, advertising and brand strategy. Positions include Marketing Management roles at Elders and WorkCover before switching to advertising with Leo Burnett, Jamshop and Showpony where his work was awarded nationally and internationally for creativity and effectiveness. Greg has extensive experience across an array of industries including financial services, retail, sport, not-for-profit and government.

Greg is now Director and Principal of his own company, branded culture, which specialises in helping organisations better understand their brands and bring them to life in everything they do. He has a keen interest in areas of consumer psychology, buyer behaviour, cognitive bias and the role of emotion in engendering meaningful commercial exchange. As a recovering advertising person he is particularly focused on helping organisations leverage their brands without the need for excessive investment in marketing communications and using brand as the driving cultural force within the organisation.

Areas of specialisation

• Brand strategy
• Branding
• Advertising
• Organisational culture
• Brand architecture
• Behavioural economics.

Jodie van Deventer

Chief Executive Officer
Committee for Adelaide
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2014

Jodie has had four successful careers, in the media, industry groups, the public sector and running her own business. A leader and strategic communicator with proven management skills and a commercial focus, Jodie is an expert in stakeholder engagement, branding and strategy development. In addition, she is on a number of boards and committees including Crime Stoppers SA. As the CEO of the Committee for Adelaide, she is committed to making Adelaide a city of economic prosperity, cultural diversity, creativity and social vitality with a world-class built environment.

Areas of specialisation

• Management
• Corporate communications
• Marketing
• Business development.

Professional interests

• Crime Stoppers SA Board member.

Kimberley Adams

Direct Sales Manager
Nova Entertainment
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2018

Kimberley's career in media, marketing and communications spans over a period of 16 years with positions held in both the United Kingdom and Australia. She has been employed in senior leadership roles in both the events and media industries and has extensive experience in leading, driving and managing successful sales teams. She has an undergraduate degree in Marketing from the University of South Australia. She has held various positions primarily in the fields of sales and marketing at Clemenger BBDO, Southern Cross Austereo, The Sandra Leach Company (Travel Representation), Adelaide Venue Management Corporation (The Adelaide Convention Centre and Adelaide Entertainment Centre) and Nova Entertainment. Kimberley's years in the media and communications industry have provided her with an extensive business network in Adelaide, particularly in the areas of advertising, communications, marketing and media. As a graduate of the UniSA, Kimberley is passionate about assisting students by providing them with helpful mentoring advice to assist them with on their own career journeys.

Her day to day objective is to bring out the best in the people she works with, maximise year on year growth, team capability and individual execution, deliver outstanding results and exceed targets and client expectations.

Areas of specialisation

• Marketing
• Tourism
• Events
• Communications.

Professional interests

• Board Member of the Childhood Cancer Association.

Kimberly Goh

Careers Advisor
Kaplan Business School
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2018

Kimberly is currently the Careers Officer at Kaplan Business School where she assists students daily in terms of career progression and where she also organises career related workshops. Prior to this, she worked at the Wellbeing and Resilience Centre at SAHMRI as the Marketing and Events Officer where she had the opportunity to organise large corporate events and resilience training for internal and external participants of over 500 participants. She also had the privilege of working with trainers from the United States.

Kimberly graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Marketing and Communications. She has also completed the Business Mentorship Program as a mentee. As an international student, she has experienced the hardships and rejections while looking for a job and understands that Australia can be a tough market. To increase her employability, she took the opportunity to complete an internship, volunteering and the mentorship program before landed her first role at SAHMRI.

Kimberly is passionate about assisting students to reach their full potential and she wants to be able to mentor them with her own personal experience.

Areas of specialisation

• Events
• Marketing
• HR
• Career services
• International students
• Young migrants.

Professional interests

• International Education Australia Association (IEAA).

Kon Antoniou

Co-Founder
Rise Digital Media
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Kon has been involved with the digital Industry for the last six years, he has pushed hard to be successful at whatever he does and attributes this consistent achievement to emphasis on delivering intimate customer service and building trust-based relationships.
On top of this Kon has a knack for design which has been refined during his diverse career. When combined with robust back-end technology, Kon understands how the look and feel of a site can have a hugely positive impact on user experience.

In previous years Kon has been an agency owner for fours, and has also worked for the Yellow Pages. Kon believes Sales and Marketing are his strongest attributes.

Kon is a soccer coach, this year he is coaching the Scotch College High School, and in previous years the Adelaide Comets Senior and assistant coach to the Metrostars.

Areas of Specialisation

• Digital Advertising

Professional Interests

• BNI

Leticia Mooney

CEO (Queen Pixie)
Brutal Pixie
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2017

Leticia Mooney is the CEO of Australian content strategy company, Brutal Pixie. She is obsessed by the Customer Experience and Business components of content, and the ways in which a strong corporate strategy can drive the key messages of brands. Unlike many in her industry.

Leticia has been a publisher, editor and mentor of writers, scaled digital publications internationally, and worked across a huge range of industries. She is a strategist who is passionate about bringing deep publishing expertise to firms in professional services like law and engineering.

Leticia works with CEOs, boards and managers in law and other professional services to carve unique positions in the market, grow their businesses, and drive efficiencies characterised by better, happier, simpler use.

Areas of specialisation

• Ghostwriting 
• Business publishing

Professional interests

• Australian Society of Authors
• Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance
• Member of the Australian Lawyers Alliance
• Communication and Media Law Association
• Australian Web Industry Association

Manzar Naqvi

Business Consultant
BzeeBz Solutions
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2019

Manzar is a marketing graduate with professional hands-on expertise in brand building, strategic communication and media management. Throughout his professional career, Manzar's strategic and analytical intelligence has fortified him to lead various award-winning local, regional and global projects. His diversified experience in the fields of global brand management, strategic planning and 360-degree media and communication management not only guaranteed him the unique combination of understanding varied businesses and their wide-ranging needs but has also equipped him for the existing and foreseeable market trends to identify new business opportunities.

During his various international assignments, Manzar had the opportunity to live and work in Egypt, the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Lebanon, Turkey, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Germany and the USA.

Areas of specialisation

• Strategic communication
• Media management
• Brand building
• Key account management
• Business development
• Marketing
• Advertising.

Professional Interests

• Career counciling
• Networking
• Experience sharing
• Volunteering
• Creativity.

Mark Charnley

Manager of Global Recruitment
Carnegie Mellon University Australia

Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2011

Mark is a passionate and innovative marketer with over 12 years’ experience across the entertainment, hospitality and higher education industries. Mark has taken an innovative approach to traditional and digital marketing roles, which has allowed him to engage effectively with both local and international business audiences. As a business graduate and past employee at UniSA, Mark brings a depth of knowledge and experience to students he encounters. His previous roles in international student recruitment at UniSA and Carnegie Mellon University have allowed him to mentor and provide career and education advice to many students seeking to start and progress in their chosen career paths. Mark's current position is at Flinders University as the Regional Manager Subcontinent and South America.

Areas of specialisation

• Marketing
• Business development
• International business
• Social media.

Mark Clemow

Business Consultant
Self employed
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2012

Mark has extensive managerial expertise in the marketing communications industry, having worked in senior roles in Australian and State governments, the advertising industry and the media.
Mark was General Manager at TMP Worldwide Advertising & Communications at offices in Canberra, Adelaide and Perth from 1996 to 2006. From 2007 until 2009, Mark was employed by Advertiser Newspapers Limited as the Classified Advertising Manager, where he was responsible for the leadership of the Classified Sales Team particularly in the areas of Real Estate, Motoring and Employment. In 2009, Mark was appointed by the Government of South Australia as Director, Strategic Communications, where he worked closely with all government agencies to inspire effective marketing communications, including the development and management of advertising policy and guidelines.
In January 2014, Mark took up the role of General Manager (SA & WA) for Starcom in Adelaide. Starcom is part of Publicis Media, a global company specialising in human brand interaction strategy.
In September 2017, Mark moved to Blaze Advertising, part of Group M, which is turn is part of the global WPP Group. (Blaze has now merged with Wavemaker).
In August 2019, Mark semi-retired and established The Right Mark, a consultancy that leverages his experience to provide an extra set of hands and ideas for marketing projects.
Mark has also tutored first, second and third year advertising students at the University of Canberra. 2020 will be Mark's ninth year of mentoring.

Areas of specialisation

• Marketing Communications
• Advertising

Niall Tidd

Marketing Coordinator SA
Aussie Home Loans
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2019

Niall completed his Bachelor of Marketing and Communications at UniSA in 2016 and has since gained a passion for B2B and B2C marketing. In his current role at Aussie Home Loans, Niall is responsible for assisting state retail stores and mobile brokers with the local area marketing of their business, and through a hands-on approach assists the growth of their business through strategic market planning. Prior to Aussie, Niall was Marketing Coordinator at Stoller Australia, a leading liquid fertiliser company. As well as supporting a sales team, he worked closely with local suppliers and gained soft office skills crucial to his personal development.

Prior to finishing university, Niall was a mentee on the Business Mentor program and gained early exposure to a business environment through an internship with the Brand SA events team. He understands the challenges for students ‘getting their foot in the door’ and would like to work with them to set realistic goals and expectations. He regularly attends networking opportunities, career training days and social events to ensure he continues to build his expertise and networks. Returning for his second year in the program, Niall looks forward to giving back to this rewarding program.

Paul Kitching

Business Development Manager
FULLER Brand + Communication
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2012

Paul is highly engaged and connected with many South Australian business and media professionals. He is currently employed as the Business Development Manager at FULLER Brand + Communication where he works on bringing new business to this full service marketing agency as well as being it's brand ambassador.

Paul has over 20 years' professional experience in the industry, having previously worked as a Client Services Co-ordinator at Warburton Media Monitoring and a publicist with Imagination Entertainment and Imagination Interactive. Paul started at Rip It Up Publishing in 1999 as an Advertising Sales Executive before being promoted to Group Advertising Manager in 2007. In 2011, Paul joined the Australian Traffic Network as a National Advertising Sales Representative where he was responsible for selling integrated advertising within the traffic reports on all commercial radio stations and many television stations across Australia. He continues to be a strong ambassador for each brand he sells, marketing it effectively and successfully.

Areas of specialisation

• Business development
• Account management
• Public relations
• Public speaking
• Advertising sales.

Professional interests

• The Adelaide Cabaret Festival Advocacy Committee
• The Big Issue Big Lunch Committee
• Salvation Army Appeal Media Committee (Chair)
• Mercedes College Friends Of The Arts Committee (Chair)
• Morialta Netball Club Sponsorship and Marketing Committee.

Philip Hopkins

Marketing Director - fabADS
Creative Director - Purple Film and Design
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2014

Philip's marketing specialties lie in the retail and automotive industries. Philip takes a strategic and results-orientated approach to advertising and marketing using many years of experience building successful brands across Australia and New Zealand.

Philip is the Marketing Director at fabADS where he advises business owners and their marketing directors on social media marketing, general marketing and advertising strategic planning. Philip is also the Creative Director at Purple Film and Design and provides advertising and marketing communications for TV, radio, print and social media throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Philip received a Five Years of Service Mentor Award in 2019.

Areas of specialisation

• Marketing strategies
• Creative direction
• Advertising and marketing.

Professional interests

• SA Media Club Committee Member
• St. Raphael's School Board Member.

PJ Tan

Market Analyst
Foodland Supermarkets Head Office
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2019

PJ is a Market Analyst at the Foodland Supermarkets Head Office. As the cornerstone for the organisation's data and insights capabilities, she provides insights relating to product sales performance, category performance, category growth drivers and media placement performance.

She is also completing her doctorate research in the area of out-of-store promotions, looking specifically at catalogue promotions in the supermarket industry.

Previously, she was a Marketing Scientist at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute. PJ worked with teams on distinctive assets and brand health tracker research projects across various FMCG companies. Her research expertise is in the retail industry, as she has extensive experience conducting in-store experiments, intercept interviews, in-store observations and eye-tracking research.

Coming from Malaysia as an international student, PJ understands the hardships of coming to a new country, studying in a new environment and landing that first job. She's keen on helping and mentoring students with her own personal experience so that they can reach their full potential.

Areas of specialisation

• Market research
• Consumer behaviour
• Retail
• Price promotions
• In-store experiments.

Professional interests

• Golden Key member.

Sam Jeffries

Principal
Pulpiteer Consulting
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2019

Sam is a highly experienced customer focused marketer with an innovation streak. His career stretches back to 1990 and has included extended tenures in the traditional advertising world, direct and sales promotion and activation, digital and senior marketing management roles with a digital focus.

Sam's passion has always focused on developing and implementing creative marketing strategies and solutions that are measurable and accountable.

Areas of specialisation

• Marketing
• Communications.

Professional interests

• Adelaide Hills Masters Cycling Club Committee
• Previously Chaired the ADAMA committee in SA
• Previously sat on the the Liberal Party Heysen SEC and Mayo FEC committees.

Samantha Chambers

Lead Digital Marketing Strategist
AnglicareSA
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Samantha is a driven senior digital marketing strategist with extensive experience across multi-channel campaigns, SEO, communications and team development. Her scope of responsibilities includes the creation and implementation of multi-channel marketing strategies, primary data analysis, on-page and off-page SEO, technical SEO, stakeholder relationship management, and fostering a creative team environment. With proven successes in e-commerce markets with KPI creation based on data collection. Market entry strategies, growth identification, and working with stakeholders to achieve desired business outcomes and revenue growth.

As a passionate and driven individual that has an analytical approach to every challenge, Samantha enjoys diving into the needs of a customer base and creating a strategy to be at every touchpoint of their journey.

Areas of specialisation

• Lead Digital Marketing Strategist

Professional interests

• Strategy
• Digital Marketing
• Digital Integration

Sophia Nikolakopoulos

Events Coordinator
Opinion Media
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Sophia currently works as an Events Coordinator with Opinion Media, an independent Adelaide-based publisher with print and online titles such as The Adelaide Review, FORM Journal, Hot 100 Wines and Clique. In this role, she is responsible for coordinating events for Hot 100 Wines and FORM Journal. She also has an interest in creative content through social media and online platforms where she works closely with the Clique online brand.

Prior to this, she worked as an Advertising Executive with Opinion Mediat. Sophia was a mentee under the Business Career Mentor Program while completing her undergraduate Marketing and Communications degree at UniSA in 2015. She was involved closely with the University, volunteering as a class representative, participating in the Marketing Social Club and working on the Advertising Coding Project with the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute. She looks forward to sharing her professional experiences in networking and gaining a job in the creative industry. She hopes to provide positive leadership and useful skills to those wanting to create an exciting career.

Areas of specialisation

• Social media content
• Event coordination
• Advertising sales.

Professional interests

• Media and PR
• Wine-associated events
• Architecture and Design Awards.

Tania Cavaiuolo

Director
See Marketing & Communications
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2018

Getting people to act is something Tania has built her career on. She has led national strategy and teams, driven digital transformation and spearheaded major campaigns, including the national World’s Greatest Shave marketing campaign.

Tania runs See Marketing and Communications, a business she founded in 2016. Her client portfolio is diverse, including the Departments of Premier and Cabinet and Child Protection, CSIRO Qld, COTA Insurance a major rehabilitation hospital in Sydney. Tania also works with other private and not-for-profit organisations across agriculture, education, professional services and construction.

Tania presented at the inaugural Big Digital Adelaide, served on the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group Marketing Committee and on the judging panels of the Luminous Awards and the Australian Marketing Institute's Annual Awards. She is also a current board member for Women's Legal Service SA, giving disadvantaged women access to free legal advice and representation in times of distress.

A Certified Practising Marketer who has mentored many emerging marketers over the years, Tania is looking to work with a motivated and driven student who responds to an affirming, enthusiastic and practical mentoring style.

Areas of specialisation

• Marketing strategy
• Advertising
• NFP marketing.

Professional interests

• Australian Marketing Institute.

Yashinni Mathiahlagan

Business Manager - International Marketing
StudyAdelaide
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Yashinni completed her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Management at the University of South Australia, and completed three internships with local businesses across different industries prior to graduating.

Yashinni is currently the Business Manager, International Marketing at StudyAdelaide where she is responsible for managing activities across the South East Asia region as well as Western digital platforms. Throughout her professional career, she has never been shy of executing a number of innovative, creative and award-winning projects - including traditional and digital campaigns.

Yashinni would love to be able to mentor and support another student in reaching their full potential by sharing the knowledge she has gained as well as her personal experience.

Areas of specialisation

Damien Jennings

Senior Consultant
Sport Australia
Based in Canberra

Mentor since 2015

Damien has been employed in various roles within the sport and recreation industry. After completing a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management, Damien undertook a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning through UniSA. Damien has also completed a Masters of Commercial Law specialising in Sports Law.

When starting out in the industry, he was employed with a state sporting organisation where he was responsible for developing and managing programs and events that aimed to grow and develop the game within South Australia. Damien has also worked in a state government sport and recreation agency where he was responsible for assisting sporting organisations implement good governance principles to minimise risk and protect the integrity of the organisation. In addition to agency experience, Damien has worked in a Minister’s office where he was required to provide high level advice on government policy, cabinet, statutory requirements and cross portfolio issues.

Damien is currently a Senior Consultant at Sport Australia where he works with a wide variety of sporting bodies and other sport partners to deliver support and leadership to implement contemporary sports business and operating models across Australia.

Areas of specialisation

• Risk management
• Sport governance
• Sport integrity.

Professional interests

• Sports law
• Boards
• Committees.

Jay Morris

Managing Director
Diakrit 
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Jay's background centres in hospitality, where he developed his customer service skills. Jay has over 15 years of media experience, including over ten years' digital and three years in specialised real estate proptech.

Jay has a wealth of business and life experience, and is eager to help young leaders of South Australia.

Areas of specialisation

• Marketing
• Digital
• Leadership
• Business operations

Kevin Stevens

Director
Next Best Step
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2020

Kevin is a proven highly skilled advisor, business facilitator and industry coach.
He produces a united culture, high quality compliance, and reduces duplicity to increase profitability through streamline learning and development (L&D), WHS and People/Team capabilities.

He has a long successful track record of developing meaningful tailored operational frameworks through engaging all stakeholders toward win/win outcomes.

His greatest asset is to develop values-based sustainable programs with integrity, influence, and impact. He enables individuals, teams, and organisations to prosper through ownership, connection, awareness, and incremental priority management accountability.

Kevin works with organisations that crave circle of economy results through culture/ leadership to strategy alignment initiatives that drive individual, team and business success.

Areas of specialisation

• Leadership and safety

Professional interests

• Rotary
• Australian Lebanese Association

Matt Schmidt

Executive Director
ACHPER (SA)
Based in Adelaide

Mentor since 2016

Matt is an experienced professional with a background in not-for-profits and sport and recreation management within South Australia. He is a University of South Australia graduate, having completed the Bachelor of Applied Science (Recreation Planning and Management). Following his graduation, Matt went on to undertake a range of roles in event management at Ability Network, managing exhibitions and conferences within the disability sector, then on to a marketing and fundraising role with SIDS South Australia. For over 15 years, Matt has worked for ACHPER (SA), the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and has overseen the growth and expansion of the organisation, and is currently the Executive Director.

Matt sits on several committees within the sport and recreation industry, including Chair of the UniSA Sport Advisory Group, Squash SA Board, SACA Game Development Committee and the Sport SA Awards Sub Committee. He recently completed 13 years of leadership at the Concordia Old Collegians Cricket Club.

Areas of specialisation

• Governance
• Sport and recreation development.

Professional Interests

• Squash SA board member
• UniSA Sport Committee Chair
• SACA Game development committee
• Past President- Concordia Old Collegians Cricket Club.