It’s time to thank your mentors
On Monday 27 October, we mark Australia’s first National Mentor Appreciation Day – a chance to celebrate the remarkable people who open doors, share wisdom, and transform lives across the entire not-for-profit sector.
Behind every confident leader is often a mentor who believed in them first. This year, Kilfinan’s mentors didn’t just provide nearly $3 million in pro bono support – they offered something far more precious: their time, experience, and unwavering belief the potential of the leaders of Australia’s social impact sector.
The ripple effects are profound. Recent research continues to show how mentoring transforms leaders in ways that spreadsheets can’t capture. Yes, it improves decision-making, resilience, and communication skills. But more importantly, it helps leaders discover their authentic voice, trust their instincts, and lead with the kind of empathy that changes organisations from the inside out.
We see this transformation firsthand. Social impact leaders tell us their mentors help them navigate the impossible – doing more with less, juggling complex funding challenges, and building strong teams whilst delivering vital community services. Through mentoring, they find not just practical solutions, but the confidence to back themselves and their vision.
The stories are deeply personal: a CEO who finally felt equipped to have difficult board conversations, a team leader who discovered their unique leadership style, an executive who learned to align their deepest values with their daily decisions. These aren’t just professional wins – they’re life-changing moments that strengthen entire organisations and the communities they serve.
For mentors, the act of giving guidance is one of the most meaningful forms of generosity. It’s about believing in someone’s potential before they see it themselves, sharing hard-won wisdom, and watching brilliant leaders flourish. In doing so, they’re not just changing individual lives – they’re building the leadership capacity that creates a more equitable Australia.
This first National Mentor Appreciation Day celebrates the wonderful people who make this possible – we’re deeply grateful to every mentor who has shared their time, expertise, and encouragement. Your impact extends far beyond what you might realise – shaping not just careers, but the very fabric of our communities.
If you’ve been mentored, this is your moment to say thank you. Because mentoring isn’t just about professional development – it’s about the profound human connection that makes extraordinary leadership possible. We want to thank the two women who made this exchange of skills possible – the remarkable Rosemary Grieve AM and the late, loved Marion Webster AO.
We’d love to read your posts. Please tag @KilfinanAustralia and add hashtags #NationalMentorAppreciationDay #Kilfinanmentors #Kilfinanmentees
If you’re interested in either mentoring or being mentored, I’d love to hear from you at [email protected]