Mercedes Mentor Circles
Mercedes Mentor Circles
How They Work
The Mercedes Mentor Circles are free for members. Six participants will be selected by each mentor through an application process.
The circles will meet no less than monthly over six months. Mentors will act as guides and provide support and feedback for participants who will be expected to play an active role in the circles. Each mentee will benefit from a one on one session with their mentor throughout the program as well as have the opportunity to participate in networking events.
Mentoring has been recognised as an effective way of professionally and personally developing for decades. When you connect with a successful and inspirational leader, that mentor can greatly assist you to navigate through issues, challenges and progression with ease by sharing their experiences and knowledge with you in addition to encouragement, support and guidance. The circles will not only give you access to the knowledge and experience of your mentor, but you will be able to collaborate with five other participants.
Session runs from May-November. Mentoring requires a high level of trust and commitment to the process and a sincere focus on learning and development. In return mentees will:
- share personal and professional experiences and learnings
- discover and explore new perspectives
- be encouraged to think strategically and holistically about business and life
- receive guidance on challenges
- be supported and coached on how to overcome barriers or push themselves further
- increase their effectiveness through learning
- review and renew their goals and visions
How to Apply
If you are ready to leave your comfort zone and share your challenges and experiences, we want you to apply. It is important that all applicants understand the level of commitment required, in order to get the most out of the Mercedes Mentor Circles.
Our mentors are volunteers and mentees are expected to be flexible. 100% participation at no less than six monthly meetings is required (in person). Each mentor selects the six participants for their circle. Two people from the same organisation or industry will not be selected for the same circle as this can impact on a participant’s ability to be completely honest and transparent in discussions.
Complete the Mercedes Mentor Circle Application Form. Mentors will make their selection and you will be notified of the outcome of your application.
Applications for 2024 are not open yet but you can submit your Expressions of Interest below.
Please note: current mentors may not be available in 2024 as this is yet to be confirmed.
Register Your Interest for a Mentor Circle
The Mentors
Georgina Whelan
People management and progression
Creating Teams
Establishing or expanding your business
Georgina Whelan is a strong advocate for equitable access to care for regional, rural, and remote patients. She is Site Manager at Townsville’s Icon Cancer Centre who later this year will be celebrating 10 years of operating here in Townsville. Georgina is a Registered Nurse with 30 years’ experience across public, private, metropolitan, and regional settings having completed a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of South Australia and starting her nursing career at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
In 2003, Georgina moved to Townsville taking a position in the Townsville Cancer Centre at the Townsville University Hospital where she held various roles including Registered Nurse, Clinical Nurse and Acting in leadership positions including Nurse Manager and Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator for North Queensland.
Georgina moved into a full-time management role when Icon opened its doors in 2013.
Georgina has since completed her Master of Business Administration through The Australian Institute of Business. Georgina commissioned a second cancer day hospital in Mackay in Jan 2018, where there was an obvious need for cancer services and in particular radiation oncology services. Georgina is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and was appointed as Board Director for Townsville Hospital and Health Service in 2020, where she holds committee appointments including deputy chair of the board finance committee and member of the board audit and risk and stakeholder engagement committees. Georgina is an Advisory Member for Townsville’s Local Disaster Management Group and holds an Advisory Board position with Varian Medical Systems.
Georgina has a strong focus on quality and safety in healthcare having successfully led multiple accreditation cycles through the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare Standards. Georgina was recognised in 2021 as Townsville’s Corporate Businesswoman of the Year.
Kylie Bartlett
Flexing your Digital Entrepreneurial Muscle
Leading for Impact
Becoming your own Killer Coach + Mentor
Kylie is the founder of Lead Love Leap consultancy and Women of Achievement Events. As a Certified Mind-Body Coach and Leadership Consultant Kylie gives her clients simplified processes to help train the body and mind to access their greatest potential. She helps people skilfully manage stress and to realise the greatest power they have lies within them. By teaching the integration of mind-body connection tools and strategies Kylie supports people to live in a way where they no longer self-sabotage but gain greater self-awareness, clarity in their decision-making, and are ready to take inspired action to transform the way they lead their lives. Kylie believes that leading ourselves is the most important job in the world where long lasting impact and legacy happens.
Kylie’s formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Secondary Education, Graduate Certificate of Tertiary Education, Dare to Lead™ trained based on the work of BreneBrown, Practitioner Training and Coaching Certification in Neuro Linguistic Programming, Practitioner of Time Line Therapy & Practitioner of Hypnosis Training, Certified Pysch-K Instructor, Mindful Based Stress Reduction teacher trained by the Mindfulness Training Institute of Australia and New Zealand, certified TRE Provider and Virtues in Action trained. Kylie has extensive experience in the Education sector across Secondary Schools in Australia and the UK, has been a Lecturer of Education and held several Learning and Teaching Development Leadership roles within the Australian Higher Education sector.
Ranee Crosby
Thinking Strategically
Purposeful Leadership
The Value of Influence
Ranee has more than 25 years’ experience in the port and shipping industry. As CEO of Port of Townsville Limited, she has overall responsibility for the strategic leadership, direction and operation of the Ports of Townsville and Lucinda. Townsville Port is the country’s largest zinc, copper, lead, sugar and fertiliser port, the largest container and automotive port in Northern Australia. Townsville Port handlesmore than $10 billion worth of trade each year, connecting the region to more than 140 ports in over 40 countries around the world.
Prior to her appointment as CEO, Ranee held a number of senior executive positions in commercial, planning, property and governance fields. Born and raised in North Queensland, she has led, managed and advised on a number of major infrastructure investments and economic opportunities for the region and Northern Australia, and has a comprehensive understanding of port and supply chain operations.
Ranee holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from James Cook University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is the Chair of the Queensland Ports Association and sits on a number of oboards and committees, including Ports Australia, Townsville Enterprise, the Queensland Ministerial Freight Council and the Queensland Minister’s Advisory Council on Defence Industry and Jobs.
Fay Barker
Breaking out of your Comfort Zone
Courageous Conversations
Creating your Business Vision
Fay Barker has had a long career in business and Corporate strategy. During the period 1984 to 2001 Fay was the Managing Director of a privately-owned company which she had commenced as a start-up until its sale to a multi-national company in 2001. Fay would attribute her current knowledge to the experience she attained during this on the job training. “This was a remarkable journey and taught me many aspects of business I was not prepared for.”
Fay was a great advocate for business in Townsville as the first female President of the Townsville Chamber of Commerce.
Fay reinvented her career as an independent company director giving her time to many not-for-profits as well as serving on a number of government advisory boards and public company boards in Townsville, including the Townsville Port Authority, The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, James Cook University, The Breakwater Island Trust and many others as an independent director.
Between 2004 – 2008 Fay also served as a Townsville City Councillor, was a director of RACQ for 16 years until her retirement in 2018 and more recently Chair of the RACQ Foundation until 2020. Fay also chaired The Townsville Hospital Foundation for many years as well as the Benefactors of the Good Shepherd Nursing Home.
Fay has for the past 12 years and currently chairs the Brisbane Group of the CEO Circle, which draws CEO’s from Queensland, Melbourne and Sydney for roundtable discussions to provide perspective and enhance the CEO participant’s journey as well as contributing to Group strategies and well-being.
“I love being virtually retired, and having the time to spend with women who are growing their corporate careers, irrespective of what that looks like.”
Past Mentors
Debbie Rains
Dr Cheri Motti
Dr Jo Lukins
Michelle Morton
Amber Hauff
Joanna Murray
Jayne Arlett