STW Group launches unique mentoring programme to forge path for women in business

STW’s Women in Leadership Group today launched a formal mentoring programme, pairing rising female stars with established business leaders to help forge career growth and support women through key periods of career transition.

The programme, which will initially run for the next 12 months, has attracted female talent from across STW’s agency portfolio, and will encompass a structured format including Coaching, Sponsorship, Advice, Specific Skill Development, and friendship.

It follows the launch of STW’s Women in Leadership Group last August, with the primary objective of creating powerful female industry leaders across a range of areas within the communications sector.

Women in Leadership Group committee member and MD Oceania Buchanan Group, Suzanne Acteson (above) said the new mentoring program extends the Group’s work to include women at a range of levels. She said it would help foster new opportunities by “mentoring young, up and coming women within the group, and working to make sure these women have the support, tools and networks needed to reach more senior positions right across STW.

“I’m thrilled to launch this program because it helps women on so many levels, but particularly those going through a transitionary phase in their careers. These are the women that often organisations may lose as a result of not supporting, mentoring and helping them get to the next stage in their careers. Instead of figuring it out on their own, we are helping them find their ‘next step’ which is hopefully inside the STW group of companies,” she said.

“It also puts STW on the forefront of recruiting the best female talent in the industry. Women want and need support and we believe this mentoring program will provide it.”

She also said that the need for gender diversity was “no longer just a moral issue but a commercial consideration”.

“It is essential for all of our business to support women upward into senior leadership positions, because for a start, the more evenly gender balanced our leadership teams, the more profitable our businesses can become,” she explained.

“This program is a step towards this ever important goal and ultimately the growth of each company inside STW.”

The mentoring program has been developed with the support of Wendy McCarthy AO of McCarthy Mentoring. Participants of the mentoring program will attend three group events across the year, plus monthly one-on- one mentoring sessions. Mentee applications were open to every one of STW’s female employees, from junior to senior, full time, part time, on maternity leave, or returning to work.

The unique program was formally launched at special event last week by STW board member Kim Anderson, with guest speakers including company director, educator and mentoring specialist Wendy McCarthy, AO, and Hedley Galt, a leading author and public speaking expert.