Meet the faces of our UQ ChangeMakers
mentorship program
This month we're launching our UQ ChangeMakers mentorship program – opening doors for alumni to influential leaders from across UQ's 350,000+ strong global alumni network.
Whether you’re seeking advice or ready to share what you’ve learned with emerging leaders, we'll connect you with a mentor or mentee who’s right for you.
It’s perfect for anyone looking to:
- manage a career change
- get a foot in the door
- connect with peers
- foster personal and professional growth
- or give back by sharing knowledge.
From Olympians to business leaders and entrepreneurs, we already have some extraordinary alumni committed to joining the program as mentors.
To help you get to know them, and to get a sneak preview of the kinds of insights that a mentor can offer, we asked them to answer this question:
What's the biggest lesson you've learnt in your career to date?
Anita Palm OLY
Bachelor of Human Movement Studies (Education), 1988
2024 UQ Contribution to Sport Alumni Award
My love of sport was the seed for nearly everything I’ve done in my career, but it was my great uncle – the famous Australian aviator Bert Hinkler, who was the first person to fly solo from England to Australia in 1928 – who inspired me to explore the world.
I grew up hearing stories from my grandmother about his inventions and exploits around the world while my father discovered his original hand-built glider under his grandmother’s house in Bundaberg.
Anita Palm OLY has had a distinguished career as a multi-sport athlete and sports administrator. She represented Australia in beach volleyball, indoor volleyball and softball. She is currently Program Director at the Queensland Government Olympic and Paralympic Games Office.
Tey Bannerman
Bachelor of Information Technology, 2008
Bachelor of Economics, 2008
The most valuable lesson I've learnt is recognising and capitalising on career pivot points. In my journey I've discovered that the greatest growth happens when you follow your curiosity into emerging spaces.
My path into digital design and later consulting weren't calculated moves, but rather driven by genuine passion and a desire to explore new challenges. This inherent curiosity consistently propelled my career on an exponential trajectory. By bringing together different perspectives and skills that don't typically intersect, I've found the most fertile ground for innovation and career advancement.
Tey Bannerman has built an extraordinary career spanning 3 continents, from software engineer at Flight Centre in Brisbane to Partner at McKinsey & Company. At McKinsey, Tey leads the European design and digital growth practices, where he guides Fortune 500 companies through AI transformation and digital innovation.
Paul Kelly
Bachelor of Business Management, 2008
Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), 2009
Chair, UK Alumni Network and Deputy Chairman and Ambassador for the UQ London Business, Economics and Law Faculty Alumni Council
Chairman, The UQ UK Charitable Trust
My most valuable career lesson is to leverage the power of networking. It can create new opportunities, help get you a step ahead and can connect you with many interesting and talented professionals.
Paul is an international strategy, sustainability and finance leader with over 14 years' experience in financial services and consulting. Paul is the Global Head of Sustainable Banking Finance for HSBC in London, where he works with senior leaders across the sustainability, wealth and private banking businesses.
Dr James Fielding
Bachelor of Business Management, 2010
Bachelor of Science, 2010
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, 2014
Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership, 2014
2021 Distinguished Young Alumni Award
There’s no perfect moment to launch a business, leave a job, list a company or start over. If you wait for the stars to align, you’ll still be waiting a year later. If you make a decision, move forward and adapt as you go – you create your own luck.
In my career, and my life, the biggest breakthroughs came when I committed to action before I felt fully ready. Whether it was stepping away from clinical medicine, saying no to a 'safe' option or backing an idea others thought was too early – I’ve learnt that speed, direction and follow-through almost always outperform trying to time things perfectly.
Dr James Fielding is a medical doctor and entrepreneur who brings together a passion for healthcare, music, and innovation as CEO of Audeara Ltd. Audeara is a hearing health tech company which was listed on the ASX in May 2021 and has products in Audiology clinics in 10 countries and technology licensing to world class brands.
UQ expert insights: how to elevate your career with mentorship
Dr Ree Jordan
Senior Lecturer in Leadership and Management, UQ Business School
Dr Ree Jordan said mentorship is beneficial for many reasons, including gaining clarity and perspective as you work towards fulfilling your ambitions.
Contact asked Dr Jordan what some of the key benefits of being a mentor and mentee are.
Here are 6 ways mentoring can elevate your career:
For mentees
- A soundboard for career choices
Mentors can provide alternative perspectives and act as a sounding board for ideas and plans about potential career paths. Given their experience, they can help mentees weigh the pros and cons of different options, offer practical advice and help mentees consider how their current choices may impact their future goals and aspirations. - Increased confidence
Having a mentor can significantly boost a mentee’s confidence by providing reassurance and building their self-esteem. Mentors serve as role models, demonstrating expertise and helping mentees break-down challenges into manageable problems. Their encouragement and support empowers mentees to step outside their comfort zone to meet these challenges and achieve their goals. - Build networks
Mentors often make introductions that help to expand the mentee’s professional networks, thus gaining valuable industry connections. These connections can open doors to new opportunities and provide insights and perspectives that help expand the mentee’s worldview. Networking through a mentor can also provide mentees with role models and allies who can support their career progression.
For mentors
- Leadership skill development
Mentoring provides an excellent opportunity for mentors to enhance their leadership skills. Guiding and supporting a mentee requires empathy, emotional intelligence and the ability to inspire and motivate – all skills necessary for leading teams and projects. Through mentoring, mentors learn to navigate different personalities and challenges, helping them become more effective leaders. By successfully guiding mentees, mentors reinforce their own abilities to lead and make decisions, which can translate to greater confidence in their professional lives. - Sense of fulfilment and giving back
Many mentors find great satisfaction in helping others succeed. The act of giving back to the community and contributing to someone else’s growth can be incredibly rewarding, fostering a sense of purpose and fulfilment. - Developing communication skills
Mentors must listen attentively to understand mentee’s needs and concerns, as well as articulate their thoughts clearly and provide constructive feedback. This helps to develop the mentor’s communication skills which are key to building strong relationships, resolving conflict and fostering collaboration.
