IMAA graduates record Female Leaders of Tomorrow cohort

Independent Media Agencies Australia has graduated 39 participants from its largest Female Leaders of Tomorrow program to date, following ceremonies in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The six-month program delivered more than 225 hours of one-on-one leadership training and professional development, pairing women from independent agencies and media companies with senior industry figures.

oOh!media hosted the Sydney and Brisbane graduation events, while Seven hosted the Melbourne ceremony. The Western Australian intake will graduate in Perth in October.

Confidence grows among participants

Now in its third year, Female Leaders of Tomorrow was established to support women moving into senior industry roles.

The 2026 program attracted its highest number of applicants and mentor pairings, with participants from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

Nine in 10 mentees said they felt more confident using their leadership skills in difficult situations. Eight in 10 reported applying those skills more actively after completing the program.

Almost seven in 10 rated their mentor pairing as “outstanding”, with participants identifying the option to choose their mentor as a key strength.

Program facilitator and WeGrow founder Wendy Gower said: “With almost seven in 10 mentees rating their mentor match as ‘outstanding’, it's clear the Female Leaders of Tomorrow programme has once again delivered. The impact on leadership confidence speaks to how these female leaders of tomorrow - and indeed today - are thriving, thanks to their mentors and the ongoing support of the IMAA. I'm genuinely thrilled to play a part in enabling these women to find their voice, their confidence, and their leadership swagger.”

Media companies represented across the cohort

This year’s graduates came from organisations including Seven, SCA, Network 10, News Australia, REA Group, oOh!media, QMS Media, JCDecaux, Channel Factory and The Media Store, alongside a range of independent agencies.

IMAA chair and The Media Store chief operating officer Jacquie Alley said: “My involvement in this year’s programme has been one of the highlights of my year thus far. As IMAA chair, an agency leader and someone who wishes she’d had programmes like this earlier in her career, I can’t tell you how proud I am of this initiative. To see phenomenal female leaders step more boldly into rooms where they can have influence, find their unique voice and leadership styles, face their blind spots and realise they have all they need within them is truly inspiring.”

Channel Factory sales director NSW and New Zealand Gabby Corcoran was among the graduates. She was paired with AMP director of small business and personal banking John Arnott.

“The Female Leaders of Tomorrow programme has been such a valuable experience, both professionally and personally. Having dedicated time with my mentor, John Arnott, gave me the opportunity to step outside the day-to-day and really reflect on how I show up as a leader, where I want to grow, and how I can continue to back myself as my career progresses.

“One of my biggest takeaways has been learning how to ‘bend my superpower ’-the qualities that have helped me get to where I am today are still incredibly valuable, but great leadership is also about knowing when to lean into those strengths and when to adapt. I’ve walked away from the programme with more confidence, greater self-awareness and some really practical tools that I know I’ll carry with me throughout my career. I’m incredibly grateful to John and the IMAA for the experience!”

The program is available to women working for IMAA members who hold manager or director positions and have at least five years’ experience in a media agency discipline.

Applications for the 2027 intake will open soon.