The Aunties launches second phase as 100 female creative leaders join senior mentor program
Volunteer support network for women and non-binary people in creative industries, The Aunties, has launched its second phase, unveiling a senior mentorship program involving 100 industry powerhouses.
Self-described as “support system that inspires, protects and champions women of all ages and backgrounds across creative industries”, the network’s latest program comes off the back of the success of its launch program for grads and junior women across the Melbourne industry.
The junior mentorship program launched in early 2021, which saw 88 young women paired with 88 mentors across: creative, production (agency and post), strategy, client management, PR and social. The feedback from the program was overwhelmingly positive and the Aunties from phase one will form the majority of mentees for phase two.
Phase two, The Aunties Senior Mentor Program, is designed for women with around 5-10 years’ industry experience, who are looking for wisdom, guidance and support as they navigate their way towards leadership.
The program will involve 100 industry executives from a range of disciplines, including Emma Robbins, ECD, M&C Saatchi, Margie Reid, CEO, Thinkerbell, Nomfundo Msomi head of strategy, WhiteGrey, Sonia Von Bibra, executive producer, Clemenger BBDO and Elly Hewitt, co-founder & MD at Alt/Shift. Together, the mentors will help deliver a special experience for mid-level career women to learn from a diverse range of backgrounds to shape their leadership styles and support them through situations at work.
Sarah McGregor, Aunties co-founder and executive creative director, Dentsu Creative said: “This era in our careers, when many are on the cusp of stepping into leadership positions, is of vital importance. This is where we typically see the numbers of women start to dwindle and so mentorship at this stage could make a real difference to retaining excellent female talent.”
Huei Yin Wong, Aunties co-founder and senior creative at Clemenger BBDO added: “Since starting The Aunties in our bedrooms last year we have been dreaming of hosting an event that connects and empowers women in a room historically reserved for men—is going to be electrifying. We’re very thankful to The Producers and Peach for supporting us and making this wonderful event happen.”
The O.G Auntie, Esther Clerehan said: “It has long been known that our industry has a problem attracting and retaining female talent. The Aunties is an incredible network of support that has had an immediate positive impact, not just for mentees, but for the Aunties themselves. Phase one was a game-changer. Phase two will be next level.”
The launch campaign created by Izzi McGrath & Mads Catanese, creative team at WhiteGrey, celebrates the collective power and strengths of these 100 women. Using data collected from the application forms to showcase the combined achievements and experiences of this impressive cohort.
Mads Catanese, creative at whiteGREY added: “Individually, these women have achieved a lot. Together? Well, that’s almost impossible to fathom. We put our rusty math skills to the test to showcase just how much experience, knowledge, and ambition will be under one roof on the night. And trust us, these figures will wow even the most number averse.”
Those wishing to join the program as a mentee can apply before the 29th of July using this form.
In acknowledgement of the number of amazing women in the industry, The Aunties welcomes any extra Auntie registrations (women with 10+ years experience and based in Melbourne). To register interest, get in touch at hello@the-aunties.com
Credits
Senior Program Leads: Huei Yin Wong & Phoebe Sloane, Clemenger BBDO & Sive Buckley, Essence
Creative Leads: Izzi McGrath & Mads Catanese, whiteGREY, Lauren Eddy & Katarina Matic, Bullfrog
Operations Lead: Carolyn Eglinton, TBWA
Creative: Amanda Chen, VMLY&R
Creative: Zoe Perrin & Riana Mckenzie, Clemenger BBDO
Senior Designer: Stella Tsakiris, Clemenger BBDO
PR: Erin Dowling, Eleven
Motion Graphics: Ben Bryan, Clemenger BBDO
Editors: Kean Szczur & Leighton Howindt, Dentsu Creative
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topics
Aunties
Clemenger BBDO
Dentsu Creative
Esther Clerehan
Huei Yin Wong
Izzi McGrath
Mads Catanese
Sarah McGregor
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