The Marketing Academy Australia has revealed the 30 accomplished marketing professionals selected for its 2025 Scholarship Program, following a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation. These individuals, drawn from diverse sectors, including prominent brands, media organizations, advertising agencies, and burgeoning startups, have distinguished themselves enough to earn a place in this preeminent leadership development initiative.
Marking over a decade of cultivating future business leaders, the Australian Scholarship Program, which commemorated its 10th anniversary with a notable celebration, boasts a network of over 310 alumni. Participants consistently describe the program as a transformative experience. This comprehensive, fully funded, and highly selective development opportunity is designed to leverage the collective expertise of top-tier executives, preparing scholars for influential board-level positions.
The 2025 cohort will engage in an unparalleled learning journey, featuring personalized mentorship from some of the industry’s most influential figures. The distinguished roster of mentors includes luminaries such as Jo Boundy, Chief Marketing Officer at Commonwealth Bank of Australia; Anubha Sahasrabuddhe, Chief Marketing Officer at Lion; Brent Smart, Chief Marketing Officer at Telstra; Amanda McVay, Chief Customer Officer at The Coles Group; Margie Reid, Chief Executive Officer at Thinkerbell; Martin Brown, Director of eBusiness, Strategy & Marketing at Nestle Australia; Jenni Dill, Chief Marketing Officer at The Arnott’s Group; Susan Coghill, Chief Marketing Officer at Tourism Australia; Peter Horgan, Chief Executive Officer at Omnicom Media Group; Mark Coad, Chief Executive Officer at IPG Mediabrands; and Sally Spriggs, Group Marketing Director at Yum! Restaurants.
Beyond mentorship, scholars will collaborate with executive coaches, participate in three intensive residential “Boot Camps” featuring prominent speakers, and attend lectures and masterclasses delivered by globally recognized experts. Furthermore, each scholar will secure access for their teams and colleagues to “The Marketing Academy Virtual Campus,” an online educational platform designed to extend the program’s impact beyond the scholarship recipients.
Sherilyn Shackell, Founder and Global Chief Executive Officer of The Marketing Academy, expressed her admiration for the emerging talent within the Australian marketing landscape. She emphasized the organization’s dedication to empowering the next generation of leaders by providing them with the necessary skills, mentorship, and community to excel in an ever-evolving industry. Shackell also acknowledged the essential role of sponsors, mentors, executive coaches, and speakers in shaping the future of industry leadership.
Anshika Grover, a 2018 scholar and Chair of the Australian Alumni Council, reflected on the program’s profound impact, noting that it facilitated introspection and personal growth alongside esteemed leaders. She affirmed the program’s ability to cultivate exceptional future leaders and expressed satisfaction in witnessing their subsequent achievements.
Leandro Perez, a 2021 scholar and 2023 fellow, described the program as instrumental in reconnecting him with the Australian marketing community after a decade in Silicon Valley. He highlighted the program’s comprehensive curriculum, which emphasizes personal development and purpose, fostering an environment that cultivates impactful change-makers. He conveyed his anticipation for the contributions of the 2025 cohort.
The Marketing Academy Australia 2025 Scholarship Program is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, including Salesforce, Google, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, NRMA Insurance, Thinkerbell, Optus, and Coles. The program’s dedication to nurturing the next wave of marketing executives is evident in the caliber of individuals selected, promising a future of innovation and leadership within the industry.
