2026/27 Mentoring Initiative

About the Mentoring Initiative
The FEAL Mentoring Initiative supports the development of executives, current and emerging leaders in the FEAL member funds and organisation by providing a structured program where mentees are mentored by an individual in another fund / organisation.

Mentors & mentees are expected to meet once a month over the 12-month period from July 2026 to June 2027. The mentoring relationship is supported by facilicated content and workshops around building purposeful careers, achieving development goals, and leveraging mentors. All mentees & mentors also complete the Enneagram profiling tool at the beginning of the Initiative to fasttrack connections & insights.

In person events are held in Sydney & Melbourne at the commencement, mid-point and end of the program to connect mentees & mentors across the Initiative with alternative, virtual events, held for those unable to attend in person. Mentees are also allocated to 4-person connection pods to provide the opportunity for additional peer-to-peer connections.

Applications to participate in the 2026/27 Mentoring Inititiative will be assessed on the extent to which the Mentoring Initiative is expected to contribute to the applicant's leadership development and the applicant's commitment to completing the Inititiative.

In responding to each of the application questions, applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate the way in which they will benefit from the Mentoring Initiative. Applications must be accompanied by a completed Endorsement form which has been completed by the individual who the applicant reports to.

Every effort is made to preserve the integrity and rigour of the participant selection process. Further information about this process can be obtained at FEAL Mentoring Initiative.

Please outline how your participation in the Mentoring Inititiative will support your leadership development, the goals you seek to meet through the Initiative and the profile of your preferred mentor. You may also nominate a specific individual who you would like to be your mentor, noting that participation of the mentor in the Initiative and allocation to you as a mentee cannot be guaranteed.

Please limit your responses to the space provided (max character limit of 1,000 characters).

Please upload a copy of your most recent resume (maximum 2 pages).

Alternatively, if you're unable to upload your resume, please email it to katrina.bacon@feal.asn.au and Cc renee.villasanti@feal.asn.au.

Your application must also be endorsed by the individual you report to. Please arrange for them to complete the Endorsement form.

The FEAL CEO may contact this individual to discuss the allocation of potential mentors to successful applicants.

FEAL will provide a report to this individual, of your participation in the Mentoring Initiative, at the mid-point and end of the Initiative. This report will be limited to attendance at meetings with your mentor, workshops and events and will not disclose any matters which you raise or discuss during the Initiative.

Declaration

In completing this application I confirm my commitment to participating in all elements of the 12-month Mentoring Initiative, including:

• Attendance at 1-hour virtual induction sessions
• Attendance at 2-hour workshops held in Sydney and Melbourne at the commencement of the Initiative (separate 90 minute virtual events for interstate participants)
• (For Sydney and Melbourne based mentees) attendance at connection and networking events held in Sydney and Melbourne at the commencement, mid-point and end of the Initiative
• 1-hour meeting with the your mentor every 4-6 weeks (face-to-face where feasible)
• Participation in monthly 2-hour virtual masterclass sessions to support deeper learning and higher impact mentoring conversations
• Taking responsibility for logistics and follow-through on agreed actions
• Responding to feedback surveys to enhance further rounds of the Initiative 

Terms and Conditions

• Applications received after the specified deadline will not be considered
• The decision of the participation selection panel is final and no subsequent correspondence will be entered into
• The FEAL Mentoring Initiative is open to FEAL members only
• Applicants must be employed with their fund/organisation at the time of the application and may be required to cease to participate in the Intitiative if they subsequently leave their fund/organisation
• Applicants must commit to participating in the 12-month program and put aside sufficient time for their participation

Applications close 5pm AEDT, Monday 16 February 2026.


The Mentoring Initiative is provided in partnership with: