ThincHer Mentors
Here are your 2024 ThincHer mentors.
These mentors are only available through formally registering to be a ThincHer member in 2024. Please do so here.
Amelie Froger
Industry/Company: Med Tech & Bio Tech, Department for industry innovation and science
Bio: Amélie arrived in Australia in 2016 from France where she holds 2 law masters degrees. She then led a startup specialised in predictive maintenance (from Thinclab) before wanting to extend her expertise to other sectors, working for the office of the chief entrepreneur/department for industry innovation and science where she takes competitive innovative projects to a panel for grant assessment.
Anna Hodge
Industry/Company: Rising Sun Pictures, Visual Effects, Creative Industries, Education
Bio: A strong leader with proven skills in managing and growing successful educational initiatives in the Digital Creative Industries for the tertiary education sector. I connect students with employers and have a demonstrated record for securing graduate employment. With over 25 years' experience in the tertiary education sector, I am adept with accommodating changing funding models in the VET and Higher Education sector so that quality teaching is maintained, and employment outcomes continue to grow. Networking comes naturally to me. I use these skills to foster relationships with industry and recruitment for the purpose of improving industry-based learning in education.
Catherine Lethbridge
Industry/Company: Innovation Consultant Business, RAA
Bio: Catherine has over eighteen years of cross-functional expertise in finance, communications and marketing, having held several positions in small and large global companies worldwide. Before joining RAA as an Innovation Consultant, Catherine was the Head of Strategy, Customers and Marketing for a tech startup and SA Lead for the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where she currently serves as a Board member. She is also a trained workplace coach and specialised in helping first-time managers find their voice and leadership style to drive impact. Catherine is also involved in NFPs that promote social impact, entrepreneurship & innovation. Her mission is to unleash entrepreneurs' and change-makers' potential to deliver a positive impact on society.
Danielle Talbot
Industry/Company: Marketing and Communication, University of Adelaide
Bio: Danielle’s area of expertise lies within strategic marketing and communication. Danielle is passionate about applying an evidence-based approach to marketing decision-making, building this skill set through her work and study at the world-renowned Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science. Danielle currently leads the marketing for the Domestic Postgraduate Coursework portfolio at the University of Adelaide, where she is responsible for developing acquisition marketing initiatives and campaigns. Previously, she led the brand revitalisation of South Australian EdTech scale-up, Lumination, and managed market research projects for the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute's Corporate Sponsors and commercial clients. She has also completed Marketing Week’s Mini MBA in Marketing.
Eleanor Danenberg
Industry/Company: Communications/media/social media/marketing, University of Adelaide
Bio: Eleanor Danenberg studied a Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) in Creative Writing and Women’s Studies and has taken her love of storytelling throughout her career. Her writing has been published in 11 publications, including The Guardian and Fashion Journal, and she has worked in marketing, media, social media, communications, journalism, and editing. She has experience in local and state government agencies, and has organised media coverage for television, print, online, and radio, across Australia and internationally. Eleanor is currently the Marketing & Communications Coordinator for the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics at the University of Adelaide.
Eloise Leaver
Industry/Company: Artificial Intelligence, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, National AI Centre, CSIRO
Bio: Eloise Leaver works for the National AI Centre within CSIRO and is working to create industry-facing programs that support start-ups and businesses in Australia's AI technology industry. Eloise has a passion for startups and their potential to contribute to Australia's AI innovation capabilities. Eloise has significant experience in the entrepreneurship sector, including in ThincLab, and the Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre at the University of Adelaide. Eloise also led programs working with startups and businesses looking to enter international markets. Eloise is also a qualified CPA, and has Bachelor degrees in Commerce and Arts and has experience in setting up a family business that operates across Australia.
Elizabeth Glenn
Industry/Company: Marketing, Brand, Business Development, PR, and Events, University of Adelaide
Bio: Liz has over twelve years’ experience in the business development, marketing, sponsorship and events. Her current role leads the Brand portfolio at the University of Adelaide, acting as a strategic partner across marketing, providing advice and guidance on brand and marketing messaging, and managing brand campaigns She joined the University in late 2019 in an Events and Sponsorships role, and during that time, she led university wide events including the very first online Open Day, recruitment events and managed the Festival sponsorships with Adelaide Fringe and Adelaide Festival. Her background spans across Arts, live music and now higher education. She’s an enthusiastic animal lover and prefers the hot weather over the cold.
Harriet Gray
Industry/Company: Academia & Marketing for start-ups and social enterprises/socially oriented brands, University of Adelaide
Bio: Harriet is in the final stages of completing her PhD at The University of Adelaide, where her research delves into the impact of socially conscious brands in addressing societal inequities and injustices. In addition to her research, Harriet is also a sessional academic in both undergraduate and postgraduate marketing courses at The University of Adelaide. Harriet previously held the role of Marketing Director at TABOO Period Products, a local social enterprise dedicated to eradicating period poverty. In this capacity, Harriet led the development and execution of a comprehensive marketing strategy, aiming to both grow the brand and empower individuals by dismantling menstruation-related stigma.
Ishani Nigam
Industry/Company: Personal Development & Branding, Podcasting, Marketing, Youth Empowerment, MyGigsters Pty Ltd
Bio: Ishani, a former Masters student at the University of Melbourne since 2019, catalyses youth development. Co-founding the Society of Marketing Communications (SMAC) and serving as vice president, she garnered awards for cancer awareness efforts, including the 2020 Leaders in Communities Awards (LiCA). As co-chair of Emerging Marketers, she connected early career professionals and hosted the podcast "My First Step Ever," featuring 130+ global leaders. Media coverage in Wyvern Magazine, Meldcommunity, The Internash and The Company Road Podcasts showcases her impactful journey. Ishani's leadership at MyGigsters addresses gig worker income security, earning her recognition as South Australia's Force Forty 2023.
Jess Perry
Industry/Company: education, youth development, workforce development and planning
Bio: Director of Domestic Student Recruitment at the University of Adelaide, specializing in strategic alliances and educational pathways. Experienced leader in navigating education complexities, driving enrolment growth, and community engagement. Committed to youth empowerment, serving in leadership roles for National Youth Week and youth organisations.
Judy Haliday
Industry/Company: Health,Ag, space Deep tech startups and Scale ups, technology commercialisation, South Australian Government
Bio: Judy has more than 25 years’ executive and management experience in entrepreneurship and innovation as an inventor, founder, investor, academic and industry professional in the private and public sectors. She has published in academic articles, been successful in competitive grant programs, is an inventor on granted patents and has raised millions of dollars for multiple start-up companies. She experience in strategy development and implementation and been a non-executive director of 7 start-up companies and is currently a member of several Advisory Boards and a Director of KIK Innovation.
Kat Bidstrup
Industry/Company: Agriculture, immersive technology, PR & communications, business development and growth, Think Digital
Bio:Kat Bidstrup is the CEO of Think Digital Studios and South Australia's Emerging Entrepreneur 2022. Kat grew up on a farm in the Clare Valley and has worked in PR, media & crisis management and corporate affairs across both the private and public sector. She draws on this unique background to direct Think Digital to elevate agriculture by creating innovative and engaging experiences using immersive technology. Pioneering the use of VR and AR in ag, Think Digital works across several sectors, with projects ranging from national biosecurity training for some of our most remote workers to in-school educational programs teaching kids where their food comes from. Now incorporating machine learning into the business, Kat and the team continue on their quest to use their experience and passion to help address some of the most complex challenges in agriculture and leave the planet better than we found it.
Linda Phompak
Industry/Company: Climate/Property Technology, Design and Built Environment, Software products, ValAi
Bio: I design experiences and help founders take products to market. I've had the fortunate experience to have worked in product leadership across enterprise, agency/innovation incubators and government. Currently, I’m responsible for helping bring the vision of ValAi and launching new Home Efficiency solutions and services. My focus is building out my product strategist capabilities and leading design efforts within the start-up landscape. I'm an advocate for the issues faced by today’s young adults, including addressing the housing crisis, improving the night time economy, and helping make our cities more resilient and climate ready.
Marie Ellul
Industry/Company: AgTech, ART Lab Solutions
Bio: Marie has over ten years of experience in both the practical and theoretical aspects of animal embryology. Her educational foundation in Health Sciences, combined with an MBA, has equipped her with a diverse skillset involving significant research and commercial experience. Outside of her role in ART Lab Solutions, Marie serves as Chairperson to two non-for-profit organisations, one of which involves establishing biosecurity protocols for the global import and export of livestock embryos. Marie’s passion for the Agtech industry empowers her drive new technologies forward for sustainable and ecological benefit.
Dr. Marina Aburas
Industry/Company: Sustainability technology, BlueScope - Architectural Business Development Manager
Bio: Dr. Marina Aburas, Architectural Scientist and Business Development Manager at BlueScope, pioneers smart building façades. With a joint PhD from the University of Adelaide and University of Nottingham, she leads innovative projects like smart steel facades. Marina advises on the topic as an active member of the Eco-Active Building Envelope Industry committee through the University of Sydney. Committed to education, she also tutors at the University of Adelaide and promotes sustainability through the Adelaide Sustainable Building Network. Excited to empower female entrepreneurs, Marina joins ThincHer to inspire and guide future leaders in the landscape.
Marina Ritchnie
Industry/Company: Artificial Intelligence, AI Adoption Manager, AI Business Mastery
Bio: Marina Ritchie, an AI Adoption Manager at AI Business Mastery, is passionate about unlocking growth opportunities through AI. Her journey involves translating ambitious AI concepts into practical strategies that drive real-world impact. Marina’s diverse background includes studies in marketing, business administration, project management, and engineering. She’s honed her skills through roles at the forefront of internet and telecom innovations. Marina has held leadership positions that shaped her career, from startups to established sectors like telecommunications, gas and oil, and natural medicine. Marina’s secret sauce lies in her human-centric approach to AI integration. She understands that successful adoption isn’t just about algorithms; it’s about aligning data, AI/ML technologies, and business goals. Her expertise fuels operational excellence and strategic innovation within organisations.
Roann Junio-Hartmann
Industry/Company: High Tech, Cobber Technologies
Bio: Roann is the visionary founder of Cobber, a tech-licensed trailblazer in the secondhand furniture market. Conquering personal challenges as a single mother and immigrant, her diverse background in Computer Engineering, Law, and International Business propels Cobber's mission to overcome logistical barriers, foster a peer-to-peer culture, and empower communities. Roann led the development of Cobber's smart city digital infrastructure and it's 2-sided marketplace SaaS community' under her holistic leadership. Cobber excels in risk mitigation, team excellence, and a scalable circular, profitable-for-impact business model. Roann was featured in State Innovation Magazine Boundless and is a winner of the 2023 Stone & Chalk IWD Scholarship. Enthusiastic about mentoring in Thincher, she shares insights and inspires aspiring female entrepreneurs.
Rubina Carlson
Industry/Company: Tech/SaaS, NFPs, Tourism, 90 Seconds & Digital Adelaide
Bio: Rubina is a trailblazing global marketer with over 12 years of experience across start-ups, SMEs, corporates, agencies and not-for-profits. She is incredibly passionate about helping businesses grow and succeed, and believes that effective marketing and communication strategies can make all the difference between a thriving business and one that fails. A digital marketing zealot, with a genuine passion for all things marketing and technology, her career spans a variety of industries including technology, tourism, the arts and higher education. Currently the Marketing Manager for 90 Seconds, Rubina works closely with the Growth team globally to develop and execute effective strategies that directly impact sales revenue targets and lead generation. As a Director for Digital Adelaide, she brings the biggest marketing conference in Adelaide to life each year.
Sanja Hendrick
Industry/Company: Public speaking, pitching and presentations.
Bio: I am a creative empathic person who thrives on building relationships with people, listening to their stories, storytelling and optimising solutions. I love to problem solve and simplify complex ideas. I am an international professional who has worked in the UK, France, Bolivia, China, and Australia - a truly global perspective thinker. I was the CEO and co-founder of SpeakSpeak! A languages tutoring company which I founded in Shanghai in early 2017. After completing my French and Chinese joint Hons languages degree from the University of Nottingham UK, I moved to China to complete my Masters in International Relations and found my own company. Since I ran SpeakSpeak for 4 years in China, I learned and developed many diverse skills from; business development, digital marketing, public speaking, leadership to stakeholder management skills and more in Mandarin Chinese, French and of course, English.
Seshnie Taylor
Industry/Company: Startup Success & Community Manager
Bio: I am a creative empathic person who thrives on building relationships with people, listening to their stories, storytelling and optimising solutions. I love to problem solve and simplify complex ideas. I am an international professional who has worked in the UK, France, Bolivia, China, and Australia - a truly global perspective thinker. I was the CEO and co-founder of SpeakSpeak! A languages tutoring company which I founded in Shanghai in early 2017. After completing my French and Chinese joint Hons languages degree from the University of Nottingham UK, I moved to China to complete my Masters in International Relations and found my own company. Since I ran SpeakSpeak for 4 years in China, I learned and developed many diverse skills from; business development, digital marketing, public speaking, leadership to stakeholder management skills and more in Mandarin Chinese, French and of course, English.
Wendy Perry
Industry/Company: Entrepreneurship, Workforce BluePrint
Bio: Please meet, Wendy Perry who is the Managing Director of Workforce BluePrint, Facilitator for Sea to Valley Startups, for 4.5 years (2019-2023) the Entrepreneur Facilitator for Adelaide – West, Switch Start Scale. An author, entrepreneur & educator, explorer & innovator, mentor & speaker on Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Strategic Workforce Planning & Development, Vocational Education & Training (VET) & TVET, International Capability & Capacity Development. Mentoring & facilitation are strengths with Wendy working alongside entrepreneurs, founders, governments, individuals, industry sectors, organisations, regional development agencies, startups, scaleups, students & unicorn companies.
