STORIES OF MENTORING
Every mentoring relationship is different, but at the heart of each one is a trusted conversation.
In these reflections, Kilfinan mentees share how their mentors made them feel – about themselves, their work and their future – and what they would like their mentors to know today.
Together, their stories reveal the deeply human impact of mentoring: greater clarity, renewed confidence, the courage to make difficult decisions and the reassurance of knowing that someone believes in you.
Ali Ahmed
CEO and Founder of Youth Activating Youth
Ali is the CEO and Founder of Youth Activating Youth. Greg has had a career leading large consumer products, multinationals, and running his own businesses. Greg and Ali have been meeting for the last three years. This is their story.
Dr Naba Alfayadh
Medical Doctor & Founder of
Rahma Health
For Dr Naba Alfayadh, mentoring with Professor David Forbes has offered a valuable opportunity to learn from someone whose experience spans science and the development of systems that have changed society.
Brendan Bailey
Head of Operations and Compliance,
Responsible Investment Association
I often say that being part of the Kilfinan mentoring program is the best thing I’ve ever done for my career.
Chris Boyle
Founder and Chief Visionary Officer,
StandbyU
As the founder and leader of StandbyU, Chris Boyle has found leadership both rewarding and, at times, lonely. His mentor Rebecca gave him a safe space to explore ideas, vent, test his judgement and think about what matters most.
Mandy Burns
Change Support Lead at Blue Light Victoria Incorporated
Mandy says Kilfinan did a brilliant job matching her with her mentor. At an incredibly challenging time in her leadership, he listened deeply, reflected thoughtfully and generously shared the experience and wisdom he had gained.
Pheba Daniel
General Manager, Olivia’s Place
Sandie brings a wealth of rich experiential insight that I know I don’t always have myself, and she has a wonderful way of asking the hard-hitting questions that challenge me to reflect, prioritise and focus on the greater good.
Gina Dougall
CEO,
Banksia Gardens Community Services
John was absolutely brilliant. He assisted me transition the organisation and the Board, including a name change into the award-winning dynamic organisation with over 100 staff that it is today.
Aaron Ford
Former Managing Director,
Candella
Andy’s mentoring greatly accelerated my maturity as a leader and manager, resulting in more effective stewardship of the business.
Georgie Harman
CEO,
Beyond Blue
On paper, our lives and careers are very different – and that’s one of the reasons our relationship works. Kilfinan Australia’s unique offering brings business and for purpose leaders together to make the world a better place.
Tara Hazel
Emerging Leader
For emerging leader Tara Hazel, mentoring has helped her recognise her own capability and feel more confident about where her career could take her.
Adam Hegedus
Co-Founder and Managing Director (MD) of Educating the Future
Adam is the Co-Founder and Managing Director (MD) of Educating the Future, an international, youth-run, for-purpose organisation building pre-schools in Timor-Leste. In its first six years, the organisation constructed five schools, educated 500 children and has ambitious plans for growth.
Libby Hodgson
Chief Marketing Officer,
UNICEF Australia
This experience has inspired me to become a mentor myself. I’m now supporting a new fundraising leader, and it’s been really rewarding to share what I’ve learned and help someone else grow. It’s a great reminder of how powerful mentorship can be.
Cynthia Kralik
CEO,
Ready Set
I feel really privileged to have had access to Kathy’s professional insights, support and her generosity – and grateful to Kilfinan for this wonderful service.
Susanne Legena
Chief Executive Officer
Plan International Australia
As our relationship evolved, Lynne would gently reflect patterns and insights back to me, deepening my self-awareness and growth as a leader.
Lois Lodding
CEO,
Good Things Australia
For Lois Lodding of NFP House, mentoring with Stuart meant having someone who recognised both her work and the strengths behind it. He acknowledged her contribution and helped her see resilience in herself that she had not previously recognised.
Michelle Murphy
CEO,
Bendigo Foodshare
For Michelle Murphy of Bendigo Foodshare, regular time with her mentor Andrea has been invaluable. As someone independent of Michelle’s workplace and community, Andrea offers a safe space to reflect, test ideas and work through difficult situations without judgement.
Lesley Podesta
CEO,
Kilfinan Australia
Greg taught me that vulnerability could be a strength in leadership, and that leading with compassion didn’t diminish authority but rather enhanced it.
Chris Raine MBA MPA
Co-founder & Director,
Clean Slate Clinic
Despite the fact that we’ve never actually met in person (our entire mentorship has taken place via zoom and phone) it has felt like two entrepreneurs sitting across the table, helping each other figure it out.
Steph Say
CEO,
HoMie
“I’m not always right; but here’s how I would think about it.” He’s helped me build upon my own leadership foundation, identify opportunities for growth and most importantly – supported me to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Because that’s the gig.
Samantha Shaw
Director at executive coaching organisation The Anderson Partnership
“How could I resist? Helping people achieve their goals is something that gives me a huge amount of satisfaction,” Samantha, the director at executive coaching organisation The Anderson Partnership, said.
Holley Skene
CEO,
Shine SA
Stepping into a CEO role in a volatile and rapidly changing environment, Holley Skene found in Kylie someone who could offer both reassurance and honest challenge.
Clea Smith
CEO,
The Tradeswomen Australia Group
I feel incredibly fortunate to have Cath Bowtell as my mentor. On both personal and professional levels, she meets me exactly where I’m at – sometimes that’s encouragement, sometimes it’s a challenge, and often it’s just being a thoughtful sounding board.
Paul Somers
CEO,
Stewart House
When Paul Somers stepped into the role of leading Stewart House, he felt the honour of running an organisation he describes as one of the most special places in NSW. He also felt the isolation and weight of leading an organisation of this type for the first time.
David Spriggs
CEO,
Infoxchange
What has stood out most is not just the practical advice, but the way Tony has encouraged me to step back and see the bigger picture.
Fiona Sweet
Executive Director and CEO,
The Stella Prize
What did I hear?
This is such an important question and one my mentor asks me to reflect on after every meeting.
Jess Wilson
CEO,
Good Things Australia
For Jess, Nora’s mentoring has brought care for her personal wellbeing as well as support for her professional growth.
Be part of Kilfinan
Whether you are an experienced leader ready to give back or a social impact leader seeking an independent and trusted perspective, we would love to hear from you.
For more information, contact Lesley Podesta at lesley@kilfinanaustralia.org.au.