What began as five mentorship pairs in 2018 has grown into a global community. Following more than 420 global applications, Assisterhood has officially welcomed its largest-ever cohort this year, pairing 98 mentors and mentees across advertising, design, media, strategy, tech, business, and marketing.

Founded to close the representation gap across the industry, Assisterhood connects underrepresented talent with the mentors, networks and opportunities that can help shape their careers. Now entering its ninth year, it brings together emerging and established voices, united by a shared commitment to learning, leadership and a more equal future.

Assisterhood: Get a creative industry mentor to boost your career

This year’s cohort drew applications from Australia and Aotearoa, plus Ecuador, France, India, Ireland, Malaysia, New York, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden and the UK – proof that the appetite for genuine and one-on-one mentorship reaches far beyond our backyard.

Assisterhood wouldn’t be possible without its 2026 sponsors. And it now has its biggest lineup yet. Partner sponsor, Streamtime, and Ally Sponsors, no sunday blues, Kerfuffle and TwentyTwo Digital play a vital role in Asisterhood’s mission to help equalise opportunities across the industry.

“We’re so grateful to our sponsors who share our values – their support allows us to keep growing the program and creating opportunities for people who may not otherwise have access to mentorship. Together, we’re helping build a more inclusive and representative industry,” stated Linh Diep, founder of Assisterhood and senior account director at Droga5 London. Assisterhood extends its thanks to every mentor stepping up this year – whether it’s their first time or fifth. The program runs on their time, honesty and willingness to open doors to those who are underrepresented in the industry.”

To stay up to date with Assisterhood, sign up to the newsletter on LinkedIn and follow @assisterhood on Instagram. And to Assisterhood’s friends in the UK – watch this space for an exciting announcement later this year.

Meet the 2026 Assisterhood Cohort 

NSW Mentors

• Alex Gough
• Andie Crawford
• Anita Zanesco
• Anna Fawcett
• Ash Myburgh
• Bronwyn van der Merwe
• Caroline Hugall
• Danica Bellchambers
• Eb Yusuf
• Feryx Lim
• Fiona Lenahan
• Hannah Sturrock
• Jessica Roberts
• Joanna Robinson
• Lea Walker
• Lisa Aitken
• Louise Rathbone
• Maddie Marovino
• Maddie Marsh
• Marine Turner
• Maya Mausli
• Mikhaila Warburton
• Millie Menage
• Renata Yannoulis
• Rhian Mason
• Roma Singhal
• Sabrina Douglas
• Samantha Heckendorf
• Tamara McCann
• Tenita Campton
• Theresa Lord
• Victoria Fruean
• Zoe Keck

NSW Mentees

• Adelle Chang
• Ali MacKellar
• Aniya Sahdeva
• Anna Lane
• Audrey Davis
• Brooke Tunbridge
• Christine Nefodova
• Daisy Conroy-Botica
• Emma Lawlor
• Evelyn Tran
• Hannah Bartch
• Holly Dyroff
• Inge Marsetio
• Izzy White
• Jess Galley
• Jessica-Lee De Vries
• Joanne Been
• Kaidi Xu
• Kate Breytenbach
• Kira Holden
• Kitty Lloyd
• Lana O’Brien
• Maya Chapman
• Milly Guo
• Olya Vanzidler
• Patrese Beasley
• Paula Prendergast
• Phoebe Rathbone
• Sandra Jawad
• Sarah Melit
• Sarah Wardle
• Sogol Sarlak
• Sophie Baird

QLD Mentors

• Alana Mahony
• Alicent Wong
• Amber Snow
• Amri Theron
• Ashton Tuckerman
• Brittanie English
• Camilla Marshall
• Christine Gannon
• Deborah Woodford
• Dilara Ulkutas
• Gemma Lipovski
• Isabelle Debnam
• Jaishri Johnstone
• Kirsty Visman
• Lisa Cameron
• Liz Ballantyne
• Marnie Vaughan
• Natalie Mitchell
• Olivia Muir
• Priscilla Jeha
• Robyn Butler
• Rachael Hockaday
• Sally Bagshaw
• Sandra Hind
• Sofie Spelta
• Samantha Shah

QLD Mentees

• Alysha Addicott
• Amanda Harris
• Amanda Ruck
• Aymee Tye-Anderson
• Becky Dickenson
• Carolina Jorge
• Casey Watts
• Chelsea Hicks
• Chloe Barter
• Ellie Feng
• Elvira Pan
• Emma Joslin
• Erin Grevell
• Hannah Dreghorn
• Harriet Kendrick
• Holly Grindrod
• Laura Aguayo
• Madeline Van Den Berg
• Marisa Bedwell
• Marriam Nasoori
• Morgana Venturieri
• Nathalia Soares Ribeiro
• Sarah de Valence
• Shanice Thomas
• Tara Montgomery
• Tia Evans

VIC Mentors

• Alison Rentoul
• Anastasia Simone
• Deborah Tran
• Ella Keddie
• Jes Egan
• Jess Lilley
• Jordan Smith
• Leoni Hess
• Liz Lonsdale
• Lyndelle O’Keefe
• Michila Macleod
• Mirella Arapian
• Olivia Altavilla
• Olivia Gatt
• Rebecca Den Braber
• Sam Lee
• Seamus Fagan
• Shannon Towell
• Shyaire Ganglani
• Sophie Truter
• Stephanie Graham
• Tiffany  Simon
• Virginia Scully
• Yasha Chandra

VIC Mentees

• Abby Hawkins
• Alannah Baker
• Amellia Knowles
• Ana Bellico
• Angela Simon
• Aradhana Dixit
• Brittany Fiddes
• Caroline De Nato
• Cassandra Deegan
• Charlie Borracci
• Clare Armstrong
• Elizabeth Webber
• Georgie Favaloro
• Hannah Torregosa
• Jamielle McKinnon
• Katherine Lee
• Lathishya Kalam
• Laura Kerr
• Leah Morris
• Minuki Satharasinghe
• Molly O’Sullivan
• Ruby Murphy
• Seyda Yilmaz
• Tessa Jackson

Online Mentors

• Elena del Villar
• Janath Gamage
• Jeni Wong
• Laura Jiew
• Maike Moritz
• Maree Taylor
• Nicole Flinton-Ferraro
• Souad Saied
• Valerie Madon

Online Mentees

• Anastasia Comelli
• Cloe Jakel
• Elizabeth Preston
• Jaimi-lee Tatur
• Julia Bonato
• Karen Hinds
• Katie Scott
• Lauren Pattemore
• Nate Tessari