Each year the GI Challenge relies on the volunteer support of experienced mentors, who represent
a wide range of industries and sectors from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa.
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Luke Hawley
Matters Magazine
As a networking and connections coach, Luke is a vital link to the success of many businesses and organisations. He is instrumental in hosting a number of significant networking events on the Sunshine Coast and boasts years of experience in marketing for Proctor and Gamble, working with iconic brands and forging strategic partnerships with Australia’s top retailers. Luke also owns Matters Magazine, Sunshine Coast.
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Ryan Hollis
Everfocus
Ryan is a Sustainability Expert and Founder of Everfocus, a boutique advisory practice dedicated to helping organisations take focused action for maximum impact and long-term sustainability. With an engineering background and an MBA, Ryan is solutions focused. With a passion for preserving the environment for the future generations, his contributions to GI this year and helping our young people solve problems, will be extremely valuable.
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Grayham Dry
Youi
Grayham is a Senior Manager at Youi Insurance and has been a mentor for Generation Innovation for the past 8 years. He is a finance and risk professional with over 15 years experience in the financial services industry and brings to the table a wealth of business operations knowledge.
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Fiona Wolliscroft
The University of Queensland
Fi Woolliscroft is the UQ Ventures Startup AdVentures Coordinator, and is responsible for the coordination and facilitation of the Startup AdVentures program, including student and host engagement, program delivery, and logistical planning. Fiona plays in the space of developing young entrepreneurs and we are grateful for her involvement in GI this year.
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Tim Kelly
Manufacturing Excellence Forum
As the Founding Director of the Manufacturing Excellence Forum, Tim leads a not-for-profit initiative that fosters collaboration and innovation among Australian businesses, government bodies, and research institutions in the field of advanced digital engineering and manufacturing. He leverages his 20 years of international experience as an aeronautical engineer, working on cutting-edge programs such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350.
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Neil Waldbaum
Deep Orange Designs
Neil is the Founder of Deep Orange Designs and an experienced product designer, inventor and entrepreneur. He has designed a number of globally successful products and produced hundreds of prototypes and products for many other local businesses. Neil is a man of vast background experiences including professional scuba diving, electronics, photography, real estate and more. His name features on a number of patents and his creative passion drives him to invent and create every day.
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Naomi Elliott
Concept Labs Australia
Being General Manager at Concept Laboratories Australia for ten years, Naomi’s passion for seeing product visions and formulations come to fruition has grown. For many years she has taken pride in assisting customers from nurturing and growing their initial product ideas all the way to bringing them to market. The satisfaction of seeing a concept come to life is what keeps Naomi passionate and excited to guide customers through the process from start to finish.
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Saskia DeKlerk
University of the Sunshine Coast
Saskia is an experienced Senior Lecturer with a history of working in the higher education industry. She is highly skilled in business planning, cross-cultural management, circular economy practices, value chains, sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems, innovation and social capital. Saskia has a deep knowledge and understanding of working with industry and is a champion for encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in our next generation.
Interested in becoming a mentor?