APPLICATIONS FOR OUR 2026 COHORT ARE NOW OPEN!
IAB Australia’s Mentorship Program was launched in 2019 to support up and coming talent employed by our member companies. Spearheaded by the IAB Executive Technology Council, the Mentorship Program aims to provide a framework for the industry to collaborate and support rising digital media and advertising talent. The IAB Mentorship program exists as a professional development program for those currently working in digital media, and looking to further their career within the industry.
All IAB Mentors are carefully vetted to ensure their suitability for the role by the Mentorship Committee and carefully matched with Mentees based on their expertise, experience and availability.
Criteria for Mentees:
- Less than 10 years’ experience in the digital advertising industry
- Desire to further their career in the media and marketing industry
- Work at an IAB Australia member organisation
Program Details:
- The program runs for 9 months – February 2026 - October 2026
- Minimum monthly catch ups between mentor and mentee either in person or virtually
- The IAB will provide mentors and mentees with tools and recommendations on making the most out of the program
Next Steps:
- Review the amazing range of mentors below
- Complete the application form by January 20, 2026.
- You will be notified if you have a spot in the program by February 12, 2026.
- Places in the program are limited and highly sought after, our mentors generously volunteer their time to support our mentees. For your best chance of success take your time with your application, provide comprehensive information on why you would like support from an industry mentor. This will not only help you in achieving admission into this program but will also assist with matching you with the most suitable mentor available.
- This short video has more information on the program, and this article has some great tips from an outgoing mentor and mentee for anyone considering applying.
Good luck and if you have any further questions about the program please email iabaustralia@iabaustralia.com.au
Meet the mentors:
Each mentor has over 10 years experience in the media industry and are carefully vetted to ensure their suitability for the role by the Mentorship Committee. The IAB carefully places Mentors with their Mentees based on their expertise, experience and availability. Also we have listed the State they are based in for your reference, but this doesn't mean you can't ask for a mentor in another state!
Read more about our Mentors below.
Josh Hover
NSW
Josh is a Digital Director at PHD Sydney.
Working across Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Cupra and has been at PHD for 8 years. In his role, he is responsible for delivering digital strategic work across paid, earn and owned media and delivering/maintaining data strategies for the brands.
Josh has worked across Virgin Australia, Volkswagen Group Australia and Unilever. Josh is recognised as a digital leader within the PHD Media specialising in Programmatic, Search, Social and Data/Tech.
Gai Le Roy
NSW
Gai is the CEO of IAB Australia.
The IAB is the peak advocacy, research & standards body representing digital media and advertising. Gai has worked in the media industry for 30 years and the digital ad industry since 1998. Prior to running the IAB Gai held senior data, strategy and research roles at Fairfax Media, Nielsen, ninemsn & Gateway Research. Gai is a global leader in cross media measurement, effectiveness and strategy as well as building and managing teams that help close the divide between digital and traditional marketing.
Jenny Parkes
NSW
Jenny is the Managing Director of Audience360.
Jenny has extensive experience across the media landscape including Programmatic, Location, Publisher and Broadcast. She is a passionate leader with a focus on creating high performance teams with company values and culture at the heart. Her career kicked off on the commercial side in media sales and then progressed to general management with full P&L responsibility.
In her current role at Audience360 she leads a business that is at the forefront of programmatic audience targeting and works with some of Australia’s leading publishers such carsales, Webjet, Mozo and AFL.com.au to help them monetise their audiences.
Renee Murray
VIC
Renee is Head of People & Culture at Half Dome Media Agency.
With 20+ years of professional business experience in People and Culture, Organisational Development, Operations, and Project Management, Renee has a proven track record of driving successful growth through high-performing teams. With a passion for fostering nurturing and positive cultures, Renee excels in supporting both individual and organisational success.
Renee lives in Melbourne with her husband Sam and daughters, Imogen (13) and Scarlett )10) She is a strategic thinker, exceptional communicator, and natural leader, dedicated to continuous improvement and achieving exceptional results.
Lachlan Brahe
NSW
Lachlan is the Commercial Director, Epsilon.
With 25 years in digital advertising, Lachlan is a veteran in retail media innovation and strategic leadership. Before joining Epsilon, he led Retail Media at Cashrewards and The Endeavour Drinks Group, where he launched MixIn in 2022. He previously spearheaded Criteo’s retail media rollout across APAC, partnering with eBay, Flipkart, and Alibaba. At IPG Mediabrands, Lachlan served as Managing Director of Reprise, driving search, social, and retail media for brands like Johnson & Johnson, Nestlé, and Coca-Cola. He has also held senior roles at comScore, Vevo, and Dentsu. Lachlan sits on the IAB Retail Media Working Group, Re:made’s advisory panel, and mentors through UNSW Business School.
Natalie Stanbury
NSW
Natalie is the Research Director, IAB Australia.
Natalie has been working as Director of Research at the IAB Australia since February 2019. In her role Natalie works with the IAB Audience Measurement Council in developing the industry standard audience measurement methodology and with the IAB Ad Effectiveness Council to refine the best methods to assess the impact of advertising. She also works on research projects and initiatives to support the continued investment in digital advertising in Australia. Natalie has gained extensive research expertise and industry experience from her previous positions as Research Director at News Corp Australia, Head of Research & Insights at Fairfax Media, as well as working with ninemsn and Ticketek.
Rhys Williams
NSW
Rhys is Managing Director of Large Customer Sales, Google Australia/NZ.
Rhys Williams is Google’s Managing Director of Large Customer Sales, Australia/NZ, where he leads a team of sales and product specialists to help marketers, agencies and partners to harness the power of Google’s advertising, measurement and technology solutions. Rhys is a member of Google’s AUNZ Leadership team, is an active industry speaker and represents Google on the IAB Australia board. Rhys holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Maj. Marketing) from UWS in Sydney.
Rhys thrives at the intersection of media and technology, and is passionate about the transformative role that digital technology plays in marketing and media.
Dan Robins
NSW
Dan is Senior Director, Growth , Growth Marketing APAC, Audible
With over 15 years of experience, Dan has partnered with top brands across the UK, Australia, and APAC region to enhance media investment and drive data-led growth.
Dan’s expertise spans media planning and buying, ad tech strategy, data analytics, and media performance. He combines hands-on knowledge from both the buy and sell sides, delivering actionable solutions tailored to each client’s needs.
Major achievements include:
• Developing digital-first media strategies for leading brands
• Launching Australia’s first client-led programmatic trading desk at Telstra, leveraging powerful first-party data
• Simplifying complex media technology to help clients select the best-fit solutions
• Building APAC advertising sales markets for Spotify, including go-to-market strategy, ad trading technology, and sales pipelines
Dan is passionate about helping businesses navigate the fast-changing media landscape. He believes in practical solutions and continuous learning, and welcomes collaboration across the industry.
Sara Müller
NSW
Sara is Sales Manager AUNZ, Adform
With over 20 years in the advertising industry, I’ve seen it all—from the early days of traditional media to the fast-paced world of programmatic trading. I’ve worked agency-side, client-side, publisher-side, and SaaS-side, giving me a 360-degree view of the industry.
From Brazil to Australia – I’ve navigated the challenges of moving to a new country, overcoming language barriers, visa hurdles, and the need for local experience. I know firsthand what it takes to break into the market, build confidence, and grow a successful career from scratch.
Adaptability is my superpower – This industry moves fast, and I’ve learned to move with it. Whether it’s a career shift, a changing market, or new technology, I know how to embrace change and stay ahead.
How can I support you as a mentor?
I’m here to share real, practical insights, help you navigate career transitions, and build the confidence and skills to succeed in adtech and digital media. Whether you're starting out, pivoting, or levelling up, I’d love to support you in building confidence, expanding your network, and finding the right path forward. Let’s learn and grow together!
James Perry
NSW
James is Head of Digital Media Data and Client Services WooliesX.
James is a strategic digital leader with over 28 years’ experience. He is passionate about digital, data, and technology, with a keen focus on innovation and the future.
After spending over 20 years of his Media Career in Publishing, Digital Media and Data with a move to the client side at Qantas in 2018.
Most recently as Head of Digital Media, Data & Client Services WooliesX.
James has been able to combine his love of problem-solving with solution-designing, while immersing in the future of advertising technology.
James is an active industry contributor and collaborator, and loves providing guidance, mentorship, and support to colleagues and emerging talent.
Brad Palmer
NSW
Brad is National Programmatic Director at JCDecaux Australia.
Brad is media professional of 15 years and leads JCDecaux’s programmatic ambitions within the emerging Digital Out-of-Home channel.
He has held various roles at leading publishers such as Pedestrian Group and News Corp to provide a thorough knowledge of the digital and data landscape.
Brad is an active participate in both the IAB and OMA programmatic Out-of-Home working groups and also a member of JCDecaux’s International Programmatic Council. This is a newly formed group to build marketing and programmatic platform strategies for the JCDecaux Group with influence in over 20+ global markets
Mark Serhan
NSW
Mark is Commercial Director at Xandr
Mark has a rich history on the Publisher and Tech side of the industry having held senior positions at Microsoft, Nine and AOL across Sales and Operations. Mark is Xandr’s Video Specialist and Commercial lead across Xandr’s Broadcasters including Nine, Seven, Ten, SBS and Foxtel Media.
Cam Porter
NSW
Cam is Commerce Planning Director at Mars United Commerce, part of Publicis Groupe.
Starting his career in creative strategy after graduating from the University of Wollongong, Cameron has since evolved into a leader in omnichannel planning and retail media. He brings a unique ability to blend media insights, shopper strategy and creative execution to help brands connect meaningfully with shoppers across physical, digital, and in-store environments. At Mars United Commerce, Cameron leads the Commerce Media and Planning team, working across some of Australia’s biggest FMCG brands, including Nestlé, Mars, Kraft Heinz, and McCain. He also spearheads the agency’s Retail Media Report Card—partnering with key retailers to analyse and elevate the role of commerce media in Australia. Cameron is passionate about navigating the evolving intersection of creativity, media, and commerce.
Denis Donati
NSW
Denis is Commercial Director – Digital, ARN
Denis has close to 20 years media experience with sales roles across Southern Cross Austereo, SBS, Fairfax, Macquarie Media before joining ARN in 2018. Currently Commercial Director – Digital, Denis is responsible for the sales leadership across iHeart including monetisation and craft leadership.
Julia Edwards
NSW
Julia is Director - Programmatic Sales, Nine
Julia Edwards is a seasoned media and advertising leader with deep expertise in programmatic strategy, omnichannel marketing, and enterprise partnerships. She is currently Director of Programmatic Sales at Nine, driving data-led innovation and revenue growth across Nine's programmatic ecosystems. Previously, Julia led vertical strategy as Head of CPG and Strategic Verticals at Uber Advertising, shaping solutions for top-tier brands. Her career includes senior leadership roles at Yahoo and Foxtel Media, where she delivered award-winning campaigns and built high-performing teams. Julia is known for her empathetic leadership, strategic insight, and her ability to align tech-enabled media with real business outcomes.
Zane Goold
NSW
Zane is Director of Business Development at The Trade Desk.
With over 15 years’ experience across media and tech—including roles at Big Mobile, News Corp, and Nine—Zane brings a well-rounded industry perspective. He’s also passionate about mentorship and team culture, contributing to multiple award-winning team achievements.
Zane helps shape regional strategy and drive outcomes for agencies and advertisers. Since joining the Melbourne office in 2020, he’s played a key role in its rapid growth.
Mitchell Greenway
NSW
Mitchell is Managing Director, APAC & VP, Global Business Development at OpenX
Mitchell leads OpenX’s commercial operations across the Asia-Pacific region and brings over 15 years of experience in digital advertising and programmatic strategy. He has spearheaded major CTV and data initiatives in APAC, driving sustainable, privacy-forward advertising solutions. A member of the IAB Tech Council, Mitchell is passionate about mentoring emerging leaders and shaping the future of programmatic across the region. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at Yahoo!7 and Bauer Media Group, where he built supply-side programmatic stacks and helped lead digital transformation efforts across the ecosystem.
Annie Hugo
NSW
Annie is Director of Sales, Spotify.
Annie is an accomplished sales leader with over 13 years of experience in the media and digital advertising industries. Currently a Director of Sales for Spotify AUNZ, Annie has demonstrated a strong track record of driving revenue growth, managing high-performing teams, and cultivating client relationships across multiple markets. In this role, she oversees sales strategy and execution for the Australia/New Zealand region, focusing on expanding Spotify’s footprint in the digital space.
Annie holds an MBA from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM), where she further developed her strategic and leadership capabilities. Prior to Spotify, she was Group Sales Manager at Domain, where she led a team in NSW. Earlier in her career, Annie honed her skills in account management at Southern Cross Austereo, working with top-tier agencies across both Sydney and Melbourne.
Casey Grieg
QLD
Casey is Head of Strategy at Audience Group.
She’s spent 15+ years across media, publishing and independent agencies; learning how people think, how culture moves, and how brands grow when strategy isn’t just clever in theory, but sharp in the real world. Casey’s superpower is turning messy problems into simple, impactful directions. She blends research instinct with creative edge and isn’t afraid to challenge tired thinking or push ideas right to the edge of convention.
She’s shaped national media thinking, led Australian-first attention research, and even re-engineered the methodology behind who wins a Logie. Casey is here for emerging strategists who want to build confidence, trust their instincts, or just need a new sounding board. When working with Casey, expect honest conversations, practical frameworks, and a bias toward original thinking.
Mark Titley
NSW
Mark is Senior Commercial Data Strategist, Paramount Australia.
Mark has spent 15+ years working across pretty much every corner of media in the UK and Australia. From media planning and buying, comms strategy, digital, data, and now the streaming world. He’s seen it all, survived it all and still genuinely loves this industry & the people!
He’s a passionate member of the IAB AI Council and Ad Effectiveness Council, where he gets to geek out on identity, measurement, AI and the future of advertising.
Mark’s at his best when he’s helping people grow. He’s led big teams over the years and loves supporting great people who are ambitious and curious, helping them unlock confidence, stretch their thinking and find the path that fits them.
If you want a down to earth mentor who genuinely cares about your development and enjoys seeing people thrive, Mark’s a great match.
Read more here
Ryan Ferguson
NSW
Ryan is Managing Director of Snap Inc. Australia & New Zealand.
Ryan Ferguson is the Managing Director of Snap Inc. Australia and New Zealand. He is a senior executive with over 25 years of experience building market-leading sales and partnership teams across Australia, New Zealand, and the wider Asia-Pacific region. Ryan has a proven track record of solving complex business challenges through the strategic application of technology, data, and AI. Prior to Snap Inc., Ryan held leadership positions at various tech and media companies, including Google, where he most recently served as a Director with roles in Adtech and Media sales across Australia and South East Asia. He is passionate about fostering positive and innovative workplace cultures and is dedicated to coaching and developing future leaders
Adam Axiak
NSW
Adam is Head of Data and Analytics, Guardian Australia .
Adam Axiak is the Head of Data and Analytics at Guardian Australia, where he leads data strategy and analytics initiatives across editorial and commercial departments with a focus on the organisation’s first-party data ecosystem.
With nearly 20 years of industry experience across television, news, and digital media, Adam has held research, insights, and analytics roles at Multi Channel Network (now Foxtel Media), SBS, Fairfax Media, Nielsen, and the Guardian.
A self-confessed data geek, Adam is hands-on, curious, and passionate about continuous learning — always exploring new technologies, analytical methods, and ways of thinking to drive better outcomes through data.
Larissa Nery
NSW
Larissa is the Head of Digital Experiences, Tourism Australia.
Larissa is currently Head of Digital Experiences at Tourism Australia. She leads global digital strategy, digital campaign execution and continuous improvement of the user experience across Tourism Australia’s owned platforms. Larissa helped drive the Digital Transformation program at Tourism Australia, as well as championing technical innovation in campaigns that have been recognised by Cannes, The Webby’s and Skift.
With over 19 years of experience working on globally recognised brands like Nokia, Dove, Qantas, and Coca-Cola, Larissa has a proven track record of delivering engaging digital experiences and exceptional business growth.
Read more here
James Vongdara
NSW
James is Head Of Advertising Platforms, Paramount ANZ.
James Vongdara joined Paramount ANZ in February 2023 as Head Of Advertising Platforms, responsible for leading Ad Technology strategy to drive revenue and deliver exemplary ad experiences across programmatic, ad product and data initiatives.
Over the past 15 years, James has held positions in the digital advertising industry across publishers and broadcasters, including SBS, BBC and LinkedIn.
James has great skill in bringing teams together, providing guidance and support to colleagues, and fostering growth, to solve business challenges.
He is a proud dad of two young children, James is an advocate for equality, parental leave and ensuring true work/life balance.
John Harvey Faurholt
NSW
John is Managing Director APAC at Adform.
John Harvey Faurholt has over 21 years of experience in digital advertising across the US, EMEA, and APAC. He previously led Retail Media and Programmatic partnerships across JAPAC and China for Microsoft Advertising, and held leadership positions at OpenX, Twelvefold Media, and AskJeeves. He is currently the Managing Director for APAC at the adtech firm, Adform, based in Sydney, Australia. John Harvey holds a B.A. from Gonzaga University.
Ryan Day
NSW
Ryan is a Senior Sales Manager at Reddit Australia.
Having built his career across several global organisations, including Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, LinkedIn, and currently Reddit, Ryan brings over 20 years of sales experience and 15 years of digital media expertise. He is highly passionate about fostering collaboration, coaching others, and supporting career development.
Read more here
Diane Ho
NSW
Diane is National Digital Sales Director, Paramount Australia.
Diane Ho is an accomplished media sales leader with over 20 years of experience in senior commercial roles. As National Digital Sales Director at Paramount Australia, Diane leads the network’s digital commercial strategy, overseeing national advertising revenue and contributing to the growth of Paramount’s evolving digital offering.
Since joining Paramount in 2019, Diane has held several senior roles, including Sydney Sales Director, before stepping into her current national position. Her career also includes 14 years at the Seven Network, where she played a key role in advancing digital transformation and leading high-performing sales teams.
Diane’s leadership and industry expertise are well-recognised. She has held senior board roles within the media industry and was honoured with the B&T Women in Media Award in the Sales/Account Management category in 2020. This accolade recognises her results driven approach, strategic thinking, and commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
Sabarish Chirakkal
NSW
Sabarish is Director of Programmatic at Val Morgan Outdoor.
Sabarish is the Director of Programmatic at VMO, with 14 years of experience in media and 7+ years in programmatic in ANZ, India, and Southeast Asia. He has worked across the programmatic ecosystem including Demand-Side Platforms (DSP), Supply-Side Platforms (SSP), and data platforms.
In his current role at VMO, Sabarish is responsible for growing VMO’s programmatic OOH offering and has launched innovative products and solutions. His career prior to VMO included impactful tenures at The Guardian, Impulse Screen, and IPG Media Brands. Sabarish actively contributes to the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and Outdoor Media Association (OMA) programmatic Out-of-Home working groups.
Sabarish is an advocate for workplace diversity and volunteers at his local Rotary Club. He is an avid pickleball player.
Jessica Gilby
VIC
Jessica is General Manager - Digital, News Corp Australia.
Jessica is a senior digital leader driving commercial growth across content, data, and video at News Corp Australia. With over a decade in media, she is known for linking data to creativity—unlocking more impactful and measurable outcomes for brands. Her expertise spans retail, programmatic, and eCommerce, where she leads national digital strategy and revenue transformation through high-performing teams and innovative media partnerships.
Read more here
Jonas Jaanimagi
VIC
Jonas is the Technology Lead for IAB Australia.
Jonas has been working as a Technology Lead for IAB Australia since January 2017, having previously been a board member for almost 5 years. Prior to this he was Head of Media Strategy and Operations as well as Head of Media at REA Group. Over the past 20 years Jonas has direct experience in AdOperations, Publishing, Ad Sales, Partnerships, Product and management.
Rhett Mitchellhill
VIC
Rhett is Client & Digital Partner at Half Dome
Rhett has more than 11 years of experience across the media industry, having worked in both client service and performance roles. He is currently the Performance Partner at Half Dome leading the team across all things SEM and Social. He has spent the past seven years at Half Dome, where he has held close to ten different roles and been part of the agency’s growth from a small start-up into one of Australia’s leading independent media agencies.
He is passionate about building trusted client relationships, developing high performing teams and everything performance marketing. Based in Melbourne, Rhett is also a relatively new parent to his son, Paddy
Adele Wieser
NSW
Adele is Regional Managing Director APAC, Index Exchange.
Adele has over 12+ years digital experience and 8+ years in programmatic, and has secured a reputation as one of the top authorities on programmatic media trading in Australia and the broader APAC region.Adele got her first taste of the power of technology in the digital ecosystem straight out of university, optimising the performance campaigns for advertisers at two market leading publishers in Australia. For Adele, technology has allowed her to develop a childhood love of solving puzzles into a career focused on tackling complex issues for digital publishers and buyers.Making the transition into the technology space in early 2012, Adele furthered her expertise in programmatic by working with exchange technology and began consulting for CoLab Media Consulting in 2016 before her appointment as Country Manager at Index Exchange in 2017. As one of the first employees in APAC, she was tasked with growing IX’s footprint by building a team and educating publishers and buyers on the promise of programmatic media. In 2019, Adele was appointed as Regional Managing Director and is responsible for overseeing the company’s operations, strategic direction and future growth opportunities for the APAC region.
Read more here
Maddy Mewing
NSW
Maddy is Director, Platforms, Magnite.
Maddy Mewing brings more than 15 years of experience across media, advertising, and ad-tech, with a proven track record of leading high-performing teams and driving strategic growth for some of Australia’s largest broadcasters and streaming platforms.
For the past three years, Maddy has been at Magnite, where she leads the CTV Platforms team, managing a group of nine specialists across account management and operations. She oversees partnerships with major publishers including Nine, Netflix, Seven, Paramount, SBS, and Foxtel, ensuring they maximise revenue, streamline operations, and unlock the full potential of Magnite’s CTV and streaming and Adserving technology.
Before Magnite, Maddy spent 12 years at WPP, working across MediaCom and Wavemaker before moving into the GroupM Investment team as the Director of Cross Screen Buying and Investment. Across these roles, she delivered strategic investment, campaign implementation, and cross-channel planning for leading brands, working closely with clients, media owners, and internal teams to deliver strong commercial and performance outcomes.
Combining deep industry expertise with a collaborative leadership style, Maddy is known for building trusted partnerships, navigating complex challenges, and championing innovation in the evolving world of digital video and CTV.
Nicholas Bailly
VIC
Nicholas is Commercial Director, Carsales.
Nicholas is a senior commercial leader with over a decade shaping growth, strategy and marketing effectiveness in Australia’s automotive and digital media sectors, as well as 5 years on the buy side of the equation.
At Carsales Mediahouse, he leads the OEM and agency portfolio, driving revenue transformation and building data-led solutions across marketplace media, and first party signals.
With a background spanning sales leadership, product commercialisation and go-to-market strategy, Nicholas is known for bridging market insights with clear commercial outcomes. He works closely with Australia’s largest automotive brands to align media investment with real buyer behaviour, and is a recognised contributor to industry discussions.
As a mentor, Nicholas brings a practical, candid approach — helping emerging talent sharpen their strategic thinking, understand commercial levers, and navigate the realities of a rapidly evolving media landscape."
Nathalie Delpierre
NSW
Nathalie is General Manager Client Delivery, Ad Tech & Programmatic, News Corp Australia.
Nathalie Delpierre is a highly experienced media executive with over 15 years of expertise in strategy, business operations, and commercial analytics. Currently, she is the General Manager, Client Delivery, Ad Tech & Programmatic at News Corp Australia, where she leads multidisciplinary teams to drive innovation, optimize client delivery, and ensure seamless execution of advertising campaigns across digital ad operations, programmatic supply, ad technology, client project management and commercial content production. Previously, she served as General Manager, Commercial Operations, overseeing pricing, yield, and inventory strategies to ensure sustainable business growth.
Her career includes senior leadership roles at Yahoo, such as Director of Business Strategy & Operations APAC and Head of Strategy, Business Operations & Insights ANZ, where she implemented strategic frameworks, led high-performing teams, and improved operational efficiencies. Nathalie is recognized for her expertise in data-driven decision-making, project management, and cross-functional collaboration. She is passionate about fostering innovation, driving team growth, and delivering impactful business results
Read more here
Stephen Warren
VIC
Stephen is Head of Digital Advertising Operations and News Xtend.
Over 16 years in publisher digital media operations and 14+ years in leadership positions, Stephen oversees ad revenue delivery across the News Corp network, as well as leading the Client Success and Digital Trading arms of News Corps digital marketing agency, News Xtend. His channel expertise spans display & video including sell-side programmatic, native, paid search & social, and SEO and is passionate about developing individuals across these disciplines.
Michael Levine
NSW
Michael is Head of Advertising Sales, Australia and New Zealand, Uber.
Michael leads Uber ANZ’s advertising business and is responsible for the growth of Uber’s new advertising solutions. Michael has built a local sales team to develop relationships with Uber Eats restaurant & CPG partners, as well as help brands in ANZ access new advertising opportunities across Uber’s mobility business. Prior to Uber, Levine spent ten years at LinkedIn leading sales teams across Australia and North America, and was most recently Head of Enterprise for LinkedIn’s Marketing Solutions division in ANZ. He also worked in sales roles at nineMSN and The Guardian (UK).
Renee Stopps
NSW
Renee is Sales Director, ANZ Microsoft.
An experienced sales leader with more than 18 years in digital media. Renee has a strong passion for personal and professional development with experience in working with large corporate global agencies and businesses in delivering strong results. Renee is grounded in her core values of transparency, trust, and integrity, holding high expectations and demonstrating grit and resilience when faced with challenges. Renee thrives on collaboration and being adaptive to our fast-paced industry.
Renee believes leadership is about empowering others to achieve their full potential and that high performing teams need to be diverse and inclusive to excel. Deeply passionate about diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, her goal is to create a workplace of trust where everyone can be their authentic selves. On a personal note, Renee is a passionate health advocate and has a master’s in fitness and nutrition.
Read more here
Caroline Oates
NSW
Caroline is Head of YouTube, Deals & Programmatic Sales, Google.
With 20+ years experience across media and tech, Caroline currently leads the go-to-market, strategy and sales specialist teams for YouTube and DV360 in AUNZ. Prior to this she led Google Australia’s FMCG ads business with her role focused on helping clients continue to build strong brands and engage their customers as consumer behaviour evolved. Caroline started her career in the UK in a start-up before moving to News UK where she led the Insight & Strategic Planning function.
Tasneem Ali
NSW
Tasneem is Head of Demand, News Corp Australia.
She is an accomplished media leader with over 20 years of experience across publisher ad networks, media agencies, tech startups (SSPs & DSPs), and multicultural advertising solutions.
Her deep expertise in both strategic and technical aspects of the industry has earned her recognition as a senior leader and influential salesperson. Known for her emotional intelligence, Tas excels at building strong team connections and providing invaluable guidance to junior staff in navigating complex challenges. As a key contributor to company culture, she creates a supportive, open environment where individuals thrive.
Outside of her professional role, Tas is an active member of a Women in Business support group, which unites senior leaders in media and tech to share insights, offer support, and celebrate their career and personal milestones
Perry Smith
VIC
Perry is Senior Sales Manager, Ogury.
Perry has over 18+ years digital experience and 7+ years in programmatic, specializing in Mobile ad tech. He began his digital media career in London, holding a range of senior roles at major digital publishers where he helped brands pivot their digital transformation during the growth of Mobile first solutions and pending GDPR regulation.
Since relocating to Australia in 2014, Perry has established brands such as Domain, Kargo and Ogury in the Melbourne market and himself as one of the key thought leaders in the Programmatic space. He is currently focussed on working with major brands, agencies and tech providers to help them effectively prepare and navigate the global shift towards cookieless solutions.
In 2023, Perry joined the IAB Sustainability Council where he participates in the industry's efforts towards a more sustainable ecosystem and future.
Read more here
Matthew Coote
NSW
Matthew is Country Manager at GumGum Australia.
Matt is a media leader with over 15 years’ experience spanning TV, social and digital. He spent five years at Multi Channel Network (now Foxtel Media), rising through the ranks from Sales Coordinator to Group Sales Manager. He then joined Snap Inc. as part of the founding ANZ team, where he held several senior roles including Head of Agency Development and Head of Sales over an eight-year tenure. Today, Matt leads the Australian operations for contextual intelligence company GumGum.
Matt previously served on the IAB Video Council for four years and is a passionate advocate for industry initiatives that drive positive change. Being the proud dad of Hazel and Reggie, he actively supports The Village, championing parents in media, and continues to participate in any UnLtd event, most recently attending part of UnLtd’s Adland Bail Out for the past two years.
A strong believer in the power of people, emotional intelligence, and purpose-driven leadership, Matt joins the IAB Mentorship Program to give back and help shape the future of the industry.
Sally O'Brien
NSW
Sally is an Agency Partner at Meta.
Across her 13-year career, Sally O’Brien has worked with some of the biggest brands and agency groups in Australia and across APAC, helping them solve business problems at the intersection of media, technology and creativity. With five years in digital media agencies and eight years in big tech, she brings a balanced view of how platforms, data and storytelling can work together to drive growth.
Today, Sally is an Agency Partner at Meta, partnering with ANZ’s largest holding group agencies, representing Meta on the IAB Video Council, and participating in Meta’s Future Leaders program in ANZ. She is currently studying her MBA at UTS, further deepening her commercial and leadership capability. In 2023 she was nominated for the iMedia NSW Social Media Sales Person of the Year, and in 2024 she was recognised by AdNews as one of the Top 20 Emerging Leaders.
Sally also plays an active role in DEI co-leading the launch of Disability@ANZ in 2023. She believes careers are built by backing people, creating inclusive spaces and staying curious about what’s next, rather than following a pre-set path
Andreea Chirila
NSW
Andreea is Client Development Director Media ROI at Kantar
Andreea has over 15 years work experience in media effectiveness covering media consulting, brand strategy, campaign optimisation, media investment strategy and data analysis. Currently Client Development Director at Kantar, Andreea works with a range of clients on brand, media studies and market mix modelling projects.
Sharon Hilton
NSW
Sharon is Head of Media Effectiveness at Kantar.
With over 14 years’ experience in media effectiveness, Sharon specialise in measuring and optimising media impact for brands, agencies, and publishers. Currently head of Media Effectiveness at Kantar, Sharon translates data into actionable insights, helping drive smarter media investments and real business outcomes for clients.
Ashton De Santis
NSW
Ashton is Director, Inventory Partnerships ANZ, The Trade Desk.
With over a decade of experience in programmatic advertising and ad tech, I am a passionate advocate for innovation, transparency, and measurable impact in digital media. Currently serving as Director of Inventory Partnerships at The Trade Desk, I lead strategic initiatives that elevate the value and performance of premium advertising inventory through collaborative partnerships.
My career spans influential roles at Network 10 and AOL/Oath/Verizon Media/Yahoo, where I spearheaded advancements in video ad product development and publisher services. These experiences have shaped my deep expertise in campaign management, ad platform integrations, and the evolution of video and display advertising solutions.
Beyond my professional roles, I actively contribute to the industry through my involvement with the IAB Video Council and participation in numerous ad operations events. These engagements reflect my commitment to fostering knowledge-sharing and driving best practices across the ecosystem.
I am passionate about empowering the next generation of ad tech professionals by sharing insights on bridging traditional media with digital innovation, leveraging data-driven strategies, and building accountable, high-performing advertising solutions.
Ryan Hedditch
NSW
Ryan is General Manager, Commercial Video, Audio and Branded Content at News Corp Australia.
As General Manager, Commercial Video, Audio and Branded Content at News Corp Australia, Ryan Hedditch oversees strategy and revenue across all Publishing networks—driving growth through data informed packaging, premium content partnerships, and scaled ad innovation. Ryan works closely with editorial leadership to shape content strategies that land commercial success without compromising audience value, aligning newsroom priorities with advertiser objectives across video, audio and integrated branded content. With 17+ years in digital media and content monetisation, Ryan has led cross disciplinary teams to launch new formats, improve yield, and build repeatable GTM plays for national brands. Ryan is known for simplifying complexity, coaching with clarity, and creating conditions where teams can do their best work. As an IAB mentor, the focus is practical career acceleration: aligning strengths to opportunities, building executive ready narratives, and navigating the evolving video/audio and branded content landscape with confidence.
Cassie Gilbert
NSW
Cassie is Head of Agency Development, Reddit.
Cassie has spent the past 15 years helping some of the world’s biggest tech platforms make their mark in Australia, from Spotify to Pinterest to now Reddit. She’s at her best building things from the ground up: new markets, new products, new partnerships, and new ways of thinking.
Her career began in the UK launching The Weather, where she discovered a love for data and insight. In Australia she rode the wave of audio streaming at Spotify, then moved into agency development at Pinterest, shaping the commercial foundations that helped the platform grow locally. Today, she’s supporting Reddit’s next chapter across the APAC region.
At her core, Cassie loves helping people stretch their thinking and back themselves. She brings curiosity, creativity and a very human approach to her work, and sees mentorship as a space for genuine connection and open conversation.
Jessica Miles
NSW
Jessica is Country Head ANZ, Integral Ads.
Jessica is a future-focused sales leader, tech enthusiast and mum of two, passionate about building what’s next. As Country Manager for ANZ at Integral Ad Science, she led strong YoY revenue growth while building a high-performing team culture grounded in creativity, ownership and trust.
Across ANZ and APAC, Jessica has spent her career combining curiosity with action. She's certified in Generative AI Strategy (Vanderbilt) and is currently completing a Certificate in AI and Digital Transformation through eCornell. Jessica loves making emerging tech practical for commercial teams and has been awarded Silver Stevie awards for Female Executive of the Year, Asia-Australia-NZ, Woman of the Year, Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations and has been recognised in the 2022 cohort of Campaign Asia 40 Under 40.
When she's not diving into AI or go-to-market strategy, you’ll find her watching F1 or immersed in a fantasy novel!
Kelly Wearmouth
NSW
Kelly is Managing Director, Mars United Commerce.
Kelly is a global business leader with 18+ years of experience driving growth within AdTech and Retail Media ecosystems. Her background spans both client and media owner roles across the UK, US and AUNZ including Amazon, Telefonica, Microsoft and Unilever. Her proudest career moment to date is leading Amazon Ads' expansion into Australia and New Zealand, scaling the team from 0 to 85+ and achieving $100M revenue within 4 years. She is a passionate F1 fan who supports McLaren, and yes, she was a fan pre Drive to Survive.
Emma Jensen
NSW
Emma is the Head of Implementation and Activation of Unilever at Mindshare, Sydney.
Emma is a dynamic digital leader, bringing extensive experience cultivated through her time at leading hold co’s across Australian, New Zealand and Global markets (when she was based in the UK).
She currently leads Implementation and Activation for Unilever, shaping Unilever’s digital agenda through the curation of industry leading joint business partnerships with top digital vendors, whilst also overseeing the planning and activation of digital media and partnerships in ANZ.
Emma is a champion for strategic initiatives, developing industry best practices and fostering of strong client relationships – which she draws knowledge from her past experience that spans a diverse portfolio working across FMCG, Finance, Retail and Technology clients.
She is a passionate advocate for empowering the next generation of media professionals, actively sharing knowledge to elevate the industry and is looking forward to being a mentor!
Brittany Lefave
NSW
Brittany is Snr. Account Director, Vistar Media
Brittany has over 15 years’ experience in media, marketing and AdTech. She has focused the last seven years of her career in programmatic AdTech sales.
Throughout her career, she has built a strong reputation for navigating complex digital ecosystems and has helped shape go-to-market strategies that unlock long-term value for clients and partners.
Brittany currently serves as Senior Account Director at Vistar Media, where she leads strategic partnerships, consults on data-driven OOH solutions, and champions the adoption of programmatic DOOH.
Prior to Vistar, she spent more than five years at PubMatic shaping the Advertiser Solutions team, building demand and strong brand preference in market. During her time working in media agencies, she worked across notable global and local brands on their implementation strategy and bringing campaigns to life.
Brittany is also a Credited Mental Health First Aider and volunteers her time to charitable initiatives outside of her time at the office.
Zoe Kostos
NSW
Zoe is Head of Commercial Innovation, Paramount.
Zoe Kostos leads the strategy and development of advanced advertising experiences across Paramount’s streaming platforms. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of advertising, technology, and product innovation, bringing first-of-their-kind solutions to market and helping to shape best practice across the advertising and streaming landscape.
As a parent of a two-year-old, Zoe brings perspective, empathy, and intention to her leadership. She is committed to supporting emerging leaders as they navigate a fast-changing industry and believes in creating space for people to grow with confidence, purpose, and authenticity.
Read more here
Janice Chan
NSW
Janice is VP Platform and Client Services APAC, Nexxen.
Janice Chan
Janice is a seasoned digital advertising professional with extensive experience in client services, platform solutions, and strategic leadership. As VP, Platform & Client Services for Nexxen in the APAC region, she drives client success by leveraging deep industry knowledge with innovative solutions that help brands achieve measurable business outcomes.
Throughout her career, Janice has demonstrated a consistent track record of delivering results by building strong client relationships and leading high-performing teams. Her expertise spans digital strategy, platform development, and operational excellence, making her a trusted mentor and advisor to peers and rising professionals in the advertising and marketing industry.
Janice is passionate about fostering growth and nurturing talent, and she aims to share her insights and experience to help the next generation of industry leaders navigate the evolving digital landscape.
Read more here
Joshua Rohrlach
VIC
Josh is Head of Programmatic - VIC, QLD, SA & WA, Nine.
Josh has Nearly 20 years within the advertising and technology space.
7.5 years at Nine, currently Head of Programmatic Sales across VIC, QLD, SA & WA.
Previous roles at Blis and News Corp Australia plus time spent with DSP and ad network technology businesses across the US and UK.