When Samantha Shaw was invited by Kilfinan Australia CEO Lesley Podesta to become a mentor for fellow executive leaders in the charity sector, she didn’t hesitate.
“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.
Kilfinan Australia is a unique not-for-profit organisation that connects senior business leaders with CEOs of charities to provide free, strategic mentorship. These voluntary partnerships are long-term, impact-driven, and designed to strengthen the leadership capabilities of Australia’s social sector.
Over the past decade, Kilfinan has facilitated more than 600 executive mentorships, offering an estimated $15 million worth of pro bono services to more than 400 Australian charities. The mentorships are tailored to support leaders navigating strategy, transformation, innovation, and sector-wide challenges.
Samantha, who has mentored two charity leaders through Kilfinan, describes the experience as deeply rewarding.
“These women are doing great work professionally and are wonderful people,” she said. “I get a huge kick out of providing them with guidance, support and challenge, and watching them and their organisations grow.”
Having been mentored herself, Samantha understands the value of having a trusted, independent sounding board.
“Being a CEO can be lonely,” she said. “You need someone who can provide objective feedback without an agenda. It’s a safe space to reflect, explore options, and build confidence.”
Kilfinan’s model is unique in Australia, using cross-sector collaboration to strengthen leadership across the not-for-profit, business, and government sectors. The organisation carefully matches mentors and mentees based on experience, leadership style, and strategic needs.
Lesley, a seasoned leader in government, business, and the community sector, said mentorship is more vital than ever as charity CEOs face increasing demands.
“Today’s not-for-profit leaders must navigate complex challenges, from rising service demands to workforce shortages, all while delivering vital services to communities,” she said. “It’s a tough job. We believe no leader working to improve lives should feel isolated.”
Kilfinan’s mentors are typically senior executives who volunteer their time to give back. Most are recruited through word of mouth, while mentees are often referred by peers who have benefitted from the program.
Mentorships vary in duration—some last six months, others continue for years—but the average relationship spans around two years. Each one is customised to the mentee’s specific needs, and Kilfinan facilitates networking and learning opportunities across its growing community.
As the social sector faces an increasingly complex future, Kilfinan continues to support the leaders driving real change.
“Our goal is to see communities thrive,” Lesley said. “And strong leadership is at the heart of that vision.”