We’re so incredibly excited to return again and make Assisterhood accessible for more people all over Australia, Aotearoa, and beyond (hello LA)! What a line up of mentors.
If you’re not sure whether you’d be able to attend the VIC, NSW, or QLD programs in person, Online is the one for you.
ELENA DEL VILLAR (WA)
Lead UX Designer, Product Strategy Consultant
Elena is a seasoned UX Designer and product strategy consultant, born and bred in the design-loving city of Barcelona and currently based in the beautiful beaches of Perth, WA. With over two decades of professional expertise and a rather eclectic background – think of art direction for advertising, animation movies & software development in the mix - Elena has worked for a myriad of industries across the globe and most recently, within the Ogilvy/WPP network in Australia.
Her passion for fusing different disciplines such as Design, Tech and Psychology with a holistic and Human-Centered approach led her to hone her skills in UX design with a special focus in digital product strategy - from helping small start-ups to launch mobile apps to deliver intricate software for big corporations.
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MARY FABER (NZ)
Brand & Product Designer at Josephmark
Mary is a seasoned designer with over 15 years of expertise spanning product, brand, and font design.
Driven by the details, she thrives on crafting impactful designs that balance functional with beautiful.
Mary’s technical insight and thought leadership has been recognised on global stages, including her presentation at the ATypI 2024 conference on AI developments in type.
She currently works for Josephmark Studio as a Brand and Product Designer.
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NATALIE PEARSON (WA)
Group HR Manager at The Brand Agency
Natalie, 42, is a UK native who grew up in Hong Kong before settling in Australia (Sydney & Perth) 20 years ago. Her career is rooted in advertising, spending 15 years in Account Management, handling clients like Dell, Commonwealth Bank, and UWA. Five years ago, she transitioned to Human Resources, leading the function across The Brand Agency's Perth, Melbourne, and Auckland offices.
Natalie's Account Management background provides a unique perspective in HR. She understands the importance of aligning people strategies with business goals, viewing employees as internal clients. As a mother of two, she values work-life balance and strives to create a supportive and productive work environment. Her global upbringing and client-centric approach make her a strategic and empathetic leader.
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SOUAD SAIED (LA)
Senior Vice President, Client Experience
Souad believes that humanity should be at the heart of every interaction, whether it be brand and customer, business and employee, or client and agency. As a strategic consultant to executives at world-leading brands, Souad combines integrated marketing expertise with deep experiential knowledge.
Her partnership-driven approach and sophisticated problem-solving style has earned her trusted advisor status with global clients including Amazon, Fujifilm, Meta, and Mastercard. Having worked across Asia Pacific and now based in the US, she orchestrates brand experiences that create meaningful brand moments and deliver measurable business impact. British-born but influenced by her time in Australia and Singapore, she brings a uniquely global perspective to every client partnership.
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CATHY SISON (AU/EU)
Freelance Art Director & Design Educator at Collarts - Australia College of the Arts
Cathy is a brand designer, art director, and calligrapher. After spending the past five years in NYC, she is now based in Melbourne. With over a decade of experience across fashion, lifestyle, and purpose-driven brands, she brings a global perspective to her creative work. Passionate about mentoring, Cathy is committed to empowering the next generation of diverse voices in design and championing a more inclusive and representative creative industry.
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LEIGH WOOD (WA)
Design Director at Nani Creative + Co-President of PADC
Leigh is no stranger to being the only woman in the room, but she doesn’t see it as a handicap—it’s her superpower. It’s what’s led her to work across many terrains of the design industry.
As Co-President of the Perth Advertising and Design Committee (PADC) and a committee member of the WA Marketing Association, she is a creative to her core and a communications powerhouse when it counts.
Through her extensive creative network, Leigh is dedicated to making space for the imaginations, skills, and artistry of tomorrow’s diverse talent—a cohort of people who may not have the same access to industry that many take for granted.
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Maike Moritz (SA)
Co-Founder, Creative Strategy & Brand Experience Designer at stickbird.studio
Meet Maike Moritz, a German-born creative with a career shaped by global brands and cross-European collaboration. After years of working with international teams in Germany, she swapped bratwurst and cold winters for rolling hills full of birds, amazing beaches, and plenty of sunshine in Australia.
With 18 years in the industry—12 of them down under—Maike knows firsthand what it takes to establish a career in a new country. As the founder of stickbird.studio and an Executive Committee Member of the Adelaide Advertising & Design Club (AADC), she's passionate about creating meaningful brands and fostering an inclusive, diverse creative industry. Her mantra? "Be Yourself"—because when authenticity leads, creativity and connection naturally follow.
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Ready to become an Online mentee?
This is your chance to propel your career forward with one of our incredibly impressive leaders from Australia, Aotearoa, or the USA. What are you waiting for?