The assisterhood
National leadership team
Linh Diep
Linh hones her ‘get sh!t done’ skills in her day job as a Senior Account Director at Droga5 London, where she works across a range of clients delivering brief-to-broadcast comms solutions that matter. A two-time winner in B&T’s 30 Under 30 Agency account management category in 2021 & 2022, Linh is a self-diagnosed Yes-Woman, having founded and co-runs the Assisterhood program. Her perfect morning starts with a morning walk with a croissant (or bagel!) & coffee. She spends her spare ‘me’ time practicing yoga, journaling, or figuring out how to action her next world domination plan.
Polina Shilenina
Polina jumped on the Assisterhood train in February 2020 – and she’s not going anywhere! On the daily she supports the team in strategic decisions and all things techy. She also has a tendency to come up with Big Ideas (that are sometimes even good!). During her 9 to 5 (does anyone actually work those hours?!), Polina is managing digital projects at Celonis. With a super-team of fellow nerds, she gets through piles of strategic brainstorms, sprits, bugs, and standups – and manages to keep a smile on, the energy up and the local coffee joints well supported! Polina can be found lurking in fabric stores in search of inspiration for her next sewing project. Her idea of a party is getting lost in a book in her local park. She also sometimes tortures a guitar and makes sounds with her mouth – she might even do it in front of you (but bring bribes).
Caitlin Alcock
Caitlin is a Melbourne-based Strategist who skipped the mentee-to-squad-member pipeline and found herself as a Community Manager for Assisterhood in 2023. She never looked back, and now, she’s Co-Lead of the Victorian program. Keen to be an all-rounder, Caitlin has undertaken industry training across AdSchool, AWARD School and Copy School. She applies this versatility to her role at Saatchi & Saatchi, where she works on some of the most effective campaigns for some of the most iconic brands in Australia. Caitlin is a firm believer that our work as an industry is at its best when we have diverse voices at the table. It’s why she’s so passionate about her role in Assisterhood, and can’t wait to get stuck into another year of impact.
Mary Nania
Mary is currently working at an NFP and has experience in Account Management. She’s probably the most organised person you’ll meet. Her kind nature, ability to listen, and strong ambition to help others is seen both in and outside of work. With clear goals and the advice of her Assisterhood mentor Sheridan, Mary furthered her career progression to gain an important promotion in 2024, then a career pivot in 2025. She enjoyed Assisterhood so much, she joined the squad after her mentorship, and is now Co-Lead of the VIC program!
Sophie Gallagher
NSW Lead, 2023 Assisterhood Alumni
Sophie Gallagher is an award-winning strategist, passionate about bringing stories, ideas and brands to life with smart thinking and tenacity. Her more than 10 years of experience, spanning journalism, publishing, client in-house and full service agencies, gives her the perspective to always find integrated opportunities that drive real business results. She has worked across celebrated local and international brands including Samsung, Universal Sony, LVMH, Audi, The University of Sydney, Inghams and more.
Beyond the day-to-day, Sophie’s passion lies in promoting, celebrating and mentoring women and underrepresented groups within the advertising industry. She pioneered a training program that helps young people in the industry learn to communicate and find confidence, was one of the founding members of the Advertising Debate Club and was recognised as a B&T Rising Star. Further, she was honoured to be listed as one of Advertising Week’s Future is Female recipients, celebrating the work and impact of trailblazing women in the industry.
Vicky Stewardson
NSW Lead, 2023 Assisterhood Alumni
Vicky is a marketing and technology leader with 10+ years’ experience. Currently a Senior Project Manager at Elephants Can Dance, she brings a structured yet adaptive approach to complex challenges – connecting the dots between teams, platforms and ideas to unlock smarter, more effective outcomes.
A proud Assisterhood graduate of 2023, facilitator in 2024 – 2025 and now Co-lead, Vicky is deeply committed to fostering inclusive, supportive environments and mentoring the next generation of leaders across Australia’s creative and tech industries. Recently diagnosed as neurodivergent, she brings both self-awareness and empathy to championing workplaces that embrace different ways of thinking.
Outside of work, you’ll find her running the netball court (mostly the commentary), or chasing her next adventure – whether that’s a weekend escape, a live gig, a comedy show or the best glass of wine in town.
Elise Le-Galloudec
QLD Lead, 2023 Assisterhood Alumni
Elise has 5+ years experience in the industry as a digital marketer, event manager and project coordinator passionate about all things technology, business growth, branding and diversity in digital. Currently working in Events & Sponsorships at the Queensland Government, Elise previously drove empowerment as Project Lead and Marketing Manager at Women in Digital. After participating in Assisterhood’s 2023 cohort, Elise couldn’t wait to join the squad and put her love of marketing, mentoring and event planning to good use! Elise is a proud cat mum, former ballerina, self-taught crocheter and in her spare time, you’ll find her hunting for Brisbane’s best cosmopolitan.
Bryony Hardy
Part of the Assisterhood community since 2021, Bea is heading up the Queensland team as Asssisterhood Lead for the second year in a row. As a Creative Marketing Specialist at Studio Blackardt in Meanjin/Brisbane, she works across content, paid media, organic socials and brand strategy, operating at the intersection of big-picture thinking and execution. Working with brands across tech, construction, real estate, eCommerce and more, she brings a fresh approach to every challenge, including Assisterhood. In her spare time, you’ll catch her at the gym, on a plane (she’s got the travel bug), or at the local coffee shop with her miniature dachshund by her side.
Elle Whittaker
Elle Whittaker is a Queensland born and bred Senior Art Director working at Publicis Worldwide. She has a diverse skillset having hailed from Account Service and made the swap to the dark side (creative). She has a passion for meaningful ideas that solve real world problems and has worked across global clients like KFC, James Hardie and Coca-Cola. Elle joins Assisterhood with a passion for helping young creatives get their foot in the door. She is also a 2025 AWARD School tutor, helping shape the ideas of young creatives. On the weekend you probably won’t find Elle anywhere, as she’ll be on her couch watching any and everything on demand. Her favourite directors include Christopher Nolan, Wes Anderson and Tim Burton.
Anais Read
Anais is a Aotearoa-born Senior Copywriter at HERO/McCANN and one of the five O.G. Assisterhood mentorship recipients from 2018. With over a decade of industry experience and industry awards under her belt, including the national 30 Under 30 Grand Prix and Women in Media awards, Anais’ tenacity and passion for giving back to the industry shines in her Assisterhood role. She’s also a regular judge for B&T’s 30 Under 30 and Women Leading Tech awards, panel and university speaker, and has previously tutored AWARD School. She also runs a run club for women who hate running. Anais brings her warmth and wealth of Assisterhood experience to all things creative, having been promoted to Creative Lead after dedicating her time to both the VIC and QLD programs.VIC Squad
Tyler Cicerale
Tyler is an ambitious, creative art director who has a diverse skill set in graphic design, photography, and videography. With a strong background in marketing and advertising, she brings a unique perspective to visual storytelling and brand communication. Tyler’s passion for visual storytelling and brings her art direction visions to life. She’s eager to collaborate with like-minded professionals and contribute her expertise to the development of impactful campaigns and brand experiences.
Anoushka Praveen
Anoushka is a Programmatic Media Specialist at Myer, with a strong foundation in performance marketing and a passion for delivering data-led results. With experience in both agency and client-side environments, she has worked across clients including L’Oréal Luxe, DoorDash, and Tetley Tea, supporting campaign delivery in both offline and online capacities. Drawn to both the analytical and creative sides of marketing, she’s particularly interested in how data and storytelling intersect to build meaningful brand experiences. Outside of work, she’s most likely at a wine bar or at Yo-Bar, usually both in the same week.
Claire Bass
VIC Squad, 2023 Assisterhood Alumni
Claire joins the squad after participating in the 2023 QLD program. She’s worked with two of Brisbane’s leading independent agencies, which has formed her into a creative who is passionate about creating content that simply delights her audience. Claire was first inspired to work in advertising because she was unhappy with the way women were consistently misrepresented, objectified & stereotyped. Advertisements have the unique opportunity to both inform and respond to popular culture, which places an enormous responsibility on the shoulders of those who create them. We are all exposed to thousands of advertisements each day, so why not take this opportunity to delight & inspire our audience on the daily?
Thanatira Sameethavorn
VIC Squad, 2025 Assisterhood Alumni
I’m Thanatira Sameethavorn — 24 Scrabble points, minimum. But Tia works.
When I’m not designing, you’ll find me snowboarding, reading, painting, or capturing moments through analog photography. I’m drawn to exploration — in iterations, ideas, and identity.
I joined Assisterhood as a mentee in 2025 at a time when I was still questioning my worth as an emerging designer who hadn’t yet had the chance to enter the industry. What I found was a community that saw me beyond my CV and beyond my deafness. As an underrepresented creative, I’ve often felt like I had to earn my seat at the table. Assisterhood reminded me that I already deserved one.
Returning this year as part of the cohort and Assisterhood creative squad feels like coming full circle. I’m here to help create and encourage the same sense of belonging that once helped me find my footing.
Pania Preston
A proud Australia Women’s Team representative, Pania is deeply enthralled in all things sport and the culture that comes with it. She’s passionate about events, creating memorable moments, and is usually the one conjuring up creative ways to make experiences better for the team around her, while getting shit done along the way.
By day she works at HERO, helping bring campaigns, PR, and new business opportunities to life across the agency. Having presented multiple International Women’s Day panels and collaborations, Pania’s energy lifts a room. She’s excited to join Assisterhood after being a long-time admirer of the program.
Etaine Carr
VIC Squad, 2025 Assisterhood Alumni
Etaine is a freelance graphic designer who recently moved from QLD to VIC, bringing with her experience across boutique studios and large-scale agencies. Working across branding, digital and print, she blends strategic thinking with a thoughtful, human approach to design.
After participating in Assisterhood in 2025, Etaine joined the VIC Squad as a volunteer designer to give back to the community that supported her growth. She’s passionate about connection, mentorship, and championing women and non-binary creatives in the industry.
Outside of design, she’s usually playing and listening to music, reading, binging bad TV, exploring new restaurants, or spending time with friends.
Cara Mackie
Cara joined the squad in 2026 to put her creative thinking and design skills to good use. As a graphic designer working agency-side in the graffiti-lined city of Melbourne, creativity has been a constant in Cara’s life for as long as she can remember. She’s been drawn to making things by hand, exploring textures, materials, forms, and compositions that give ideas a tangible presence.
But the one thing Cara loves more than design, is her ten year old Golden Retriever, Toby.
NSW Squad
Rosalinde Czysnok
Rosalinde’s career and life are guided by a simple motto – to be good and do good. To be good is to be the best possible version of herself, and to do good is to leverage her skills, effort and opportunities for the betterment of her community and the world at large. Rosalinde is commercially minded, loves working at the intersection of creativity and strategy, and is passionate about female financial empowerment. Through Assisterhood she wants to give back to the community by breaking unconscious biases, provide guidance and shared experiences that she wish she had when joining the industry. To continuously learn and grow through a diverse network is an added bonus! On weekends you’ll find her chatting away whilst catching up with friends & family, eating good food and tending to her mini veggie garden!
Leora Zuckerman
NSW Squad, 2024 Assisterhood Alumni
Leora is an ambitious Art Director. With 6+ years of experience at Ogilvy, Saatchi & Saatchi and VML, she’s worked on brands including Dove, Coca-Cola, KFC, Milo, Toyota and Cadbury.
Outside of work, she’s a dedicated dabbler. Trying everything from tufting to pottery, unafraid of experimenting and embracing the funny, imperfect mementos she creates along the way.
After a great experience as an Assisterhood mentee in 2024, she’s joined the NSW Squad to help support the next gen of Assisterhood mentorships.
Molly Atkinson
NSW Squad, 2021 Assisterhood Alumni
Molly brings 7+ years of experience across both agency and in-house roles, working with a range of household brands spanning FMCG, sports, tourism and beyond.
She previously worked at Good Drinks Australia, supporting campaign execution across a portfolio of Australian and international beer brands, before making the move to Breville as a Global Marketing Project Manager – swapping beer for coffee
Molly joined the Assisterhood QLD squad after being part of the 2021 mentee cohort, an experience that simply couldn’t end there. Following a move to Sydney in 2025, she’s now proud to have joined the NSW squad.
Outside of work, Molly is passionate about building community, which led her to co-found BBAWD (Bring Back After Work Drinks) in 2024 – a Brisbane-based marketing networking group designed to bring people together beyond the 9-5. If she’s not away for the weekend, you’ll likely find Molly on the hunt for Sydney’s best beer garden.
Sophie Harper
NSW Squad, 2025 Assisterhood Alumni
Sophie is a creative human who finds it a little strange speaking about herself in third person. Let’s chat like this, shall we?
Assisterhood was one of those programs I quietly manifested. A community of industry rockstars ready to impart their wisdom and charge you up with confidence?! So epic. While I was lucky enough to start as a 2025 mentee, I leapt at the opportunity to give back as part of the team the following year.
As a copywriter at Saatchi & Saatchi, I’ve had the pleasure of stepping into the shoes of all sorts of Australians – hungry ones (Arnott’s, Kraft), fast ones (Toyota, Lexus)… I’ve also dabbled as a magpie, chasing shiny things as a finalist for Gruen, B&T’s 30 Under 30 and Cairns Hatchlings. When I’m not uncovering op shop gems, I’m assembling cheeseboards. Both skills are available to Assisterhood upon request.
Claudine Laycock
NSW Squad, 2025 Assisterhood Alumni
Claudine is a strategic marketing leader passionate about building brands that genuinely connect with real people. Currently a Senior Marketing Manager at BIG W, she brings a strong commercial mindset and a track record of delivering campaigns that drive customer growth and shift brand perception. She’s known for turning insight into action, simplifying complexity, and bringing teams together to create work that not only performs, but resonates.
A proud Assisterhood graduate of 2025 and now part of the NSW Squad, Claudine is excited to foster a supportive and energising community. She’s passionate about helping others back themselves, build meaningful connections, and take the next step in their careers with confidence. Outside of work, you’ll find her planning her next travel adventure, trying the latest food spots, embracing her Pilates princess era, or at the beach swimming laps.
Taylor Denny
NSW Squad, 2025 Assisterhood Alumni
Taylor is a strategic communications leader with more than a decade of experience spanning corporate communications, ministerial advisory and journalism. Her background combines sharp strategic thinking with a strong editorial instinct, enabling her to shape media narratives, navigate complex issues and advise senior leaders in high-pressure environments. She has led proactive earned media programs and managed reputation through critical moments, with a focus on clarity, credibility and impact.
Taylor is particularly interested in how communication shapes trust, leadership and decision-making. Outside of work, she is drawn to projects that explore the future of careers and connecting with as many people as possible and hearing their stories. She was a 2025 mentee and quickly fell in love with the program.
QLD Squad
Petrice Koutsis
QLD Squad, 2023 Assisterhood Alumni
Petrice brings six years of media experience and 5.5 years of proof that she thrives under pressure, having delivered on some of Australia’s most complex and scrutinised briefs on the Australian Federal Government account.
Now a Media Implementation Account Manager at OMD, working on clients like McDonalds, Michael Hill, Sealy and more, Petrice is laser‑focused on turning smart ideas into sharper offline investment—because creativity isn’t finished until it’s flawlessly implemented.
Calm, decisive and deeply accountable, she also championed progress beyond the brief as a previous member of the MFA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Board. Petrice is an avid disability ambassador, reader of all things romance, a big fan of a vanilla iced latte on almond milk, Pilates and her dog, Levi.
Valeska Calvo
A multidisciplinary designer specialising in illustration and motion design. She balances crafting visual work with continuing her academic journey to expand her strategic perspective. She was part of Assisterhood’s 2024 cohort, where she discovered the power of community. This is now her second year with the squad,still inspired by the community. Outside of work, you’ll find her trying to become a runner mostly as an excuse to chase sunsets, exploring coffee shops, and capturing everyday moments on her phone or on film.
Wendy Phan
Wendy is a Sales Executive at Seven, an extrovert since birth who thrives on building strong connections and bringing creative ideas to life. Passionate about account service, she loves collaborating with clients and teams to deliver impactful results through strategic thinking and creativity. She joined the Assisterhood squad excited to learn, connect, and contribute to the industry she loves. Outside of work, she loves being out and about to stay active – and, more importantly, reminding everyone to stay hydrated (mostly as a way to remind herself). It’s all part of her ongoing mission to spread the water addiction.
Jasveen Kaur
Jasveen is a Malaysian born early career marketer with a passion for purpose. Initially joining as a mentee in the 2025 cohort, she has now joined the Assisterhood squad. Her background in film production is what drove her to pursue a career within the communication industry. With 2 years of experience in marketing – predominantly in market research and client relationship building, she has accumulated a wealth of knowledge in understanding and meeting people’s needs through her communication skills. Most recently, she was involved in the Biotech industry with a focus on creating a healthy gut microbiome through probiotics where she facilitated research and lead generation for potential clients. Known for her naturalist pursuits, you can commonly find her in the garden pottering away with her chickens not far behind. She’s passionate about food, cooking and culture due to her diverse background, and her knack for languages has pushed her to start learning her 6th language.
Sophie Baird
Sophie is a creative marketer and Social Media Coordinator at Brisbane Economic Development Agency, where she works across consumer, destination and B2B storytelling to showcase Brisbane to local, interstate and global audiences. In her role, she blends strategic thinking with creativity to build engaged communities, bring fresh ideas to life and deliver content that resonates Sophie first felt the warmth and connection of the Assisterhood program at the 2024 Community Trivia Night and was delighted to be selected as a mentee last year. After a rewarding year of learning and growth in the 2025 program, she is excited to continue her journey with Assisterhood as a squad member in 2026. When she is not working, you’ll likely find her deep in conversation at networking events, soaking up the Brisbane sunshine on river walks or enjoying beach days with her beloved cavoodle, Archie.
Meg Sheehan
Meg is a senior marketing strategist with a love for delivering high-impact initiatives that excite and engage. With over 5 years in B2B marketing and communications, Meg is passionate about creating campaigns and roadmaps that help technical organisations grow and connect with their audiences. In her current role as Marketing Operations Manager at TechTent, Meg is the operational and strategic leader for one of TechTent’s client delivery pods, orchestrating and optimising field and channel marketing campaigns for clients in the technology and cybersecurity industry. Meg was an Assisterhood mentee in 2025, and now returns as part of the squad to give back to the women in business community and share her experience in the marketing industry.
Web Dev / UX: become a part of the Squad!
We need a website designer with the knowledge of WordPress to help take the Assisterhood site to the next level by updating and evolving our online presence.Wait, there’s more!
Your Role You will be responsible for maintaining, updating, and expanding the Assisterhood website. What Success Looks Like- Website changes are deployed on schedule
- You volunteer proactive ideas for better layouts and new sections
- Website engagement metrics are improving month on month
- We proactively ask for website feedback and improve in a timely manner
- Analysis of website performance
- Content and imagery changes
- Bringing the look and feel of the brand to the website
- Design and implementation of new pages
- UX review of the website
- Suggestions to improve the user flow and layout
- Applying the brand style to the website
- WordPress knowledge
- HTML/CSS
- Basic image editing to optimise for the web
- Google Analytics
- FTP/SFTP
- Time-management whiz
- Communication skills