25eight Industry Mentors

Helping you combine the ‘what you know’ with the ‘who you know’

Meet some of our Industry Mentors

  • A smiling woman with brown hair, wearing a sleeveless black blazer, sitting on a chair, holding a closed laptop, with a white brick wall and a green plant in the background.

    Suji Sanjeevan

    Founder, Light & Glo

    With a career spanning manufacturing, service, and med-tech, Suji is a founder and entrepreneur who thrives on innovation, agility, and strategic growth. From launching product-based businesses to evolving service models, she has built deep expertise in product development, marketing, supply chain, and operational scaling. She has mentored startups through La Trobe, Monash, and the State Library of Victoria, and brings a multicultural lens and board experience with MBMC to every interaction—helping emerging leaders navigate challenges, stand out in saturated markets, and build resilient, future-ready businesses.

  • A middle-aged woman with brown hair and earrings smiling outdoors with green trees in the background.

    Michelle Creevey

    CEO, Purpose Procurement

    Michelle is a highly experienced supply chain leader with over 17 years in the field, including more than a decade in defence at the world’s largest aerospace company. Known for her award-winning work in social procurement and small business development—featured in Forbes—she brings deep expertise in both direct and indirect procurement, compliance, and systems leadership. Michelle is celebrated for driving innovation, building strategic partnerships across sectors, and delivering impactful, globally recognised outcomes.

  • A smiling woman with blonde hair wearing a dark purple blouse and layered necklaces, standing against a plain white background.

    Erika Hughes

    Commercial Director, Integra Systems

    With over 20 years as a product design and manufacturing business owner—plus a decade in the corporate sector—Erika brings deep expertise in strategic growth, business transformation, finance, HR, and marketing. She helps businesses thrive by applying Industry 4.0 and circular economy principles to boost efficiency and long-term success. Her background spans B2B marketing, corporate governance, and cross-sector collaboration, giving her a unique ability to connect strategy with execution. She is passionate about supporting leaders through change and helping them build resilient, well-connected, future-ready businesses.

  • Close-up of a smiling man with a beard and bald head, wearing a suit, standing on a city street during sunset.

    Brad Riley

    CEO, Infostatus

    Brad is a data and AI specialist with over 20 years of experience leading enterprise projects in business intelligence, analytics, and information management. As a startup founder and AI/ML expert, he helps organisations harness emerging technologies—like generative AI, agent-based systems, and LLMs—to drive innovation and competitive advantage. With deep expertise in MLOps, Responsible AI, and scalable data frameworks, Brad bridges strategy and tech to deliver agile, future-ready solutions that support smarter, ethical decision-making.

  • Man standing in front of a Ronson Gears display with gears and the slogan 'Global Industry, Vision to'.

    Gavin New

    Managing Director, Ronson Gear

    With 20 years of experience in the Defence industry and a background as an SME in the Space and Manufacturing sectors, including direct supply to Lockheed Martin Space, Gavin offers valuable insights and guidance to business owners entering these specialised fields. His practical knowledge and industry connections make him a strong mentor for those navigating the complexities of Defence and Space.

  • A woman with short red hair, wearing a navy blue shirt with a logo, smiling and looking at the camera.

    Karin Vosmanksy

    Executive Director, Mack Valves

    As a certified CPA with a strong finance background, Karin has successfully led the turnaround of a manufacturing business while thriving in a traditionally male-dominated industry. She brings a unique blend of financial expertise, strategic insight, and resilience—offering real-world experience to help others drive growth and navigate challenges with confidence.

  • A woman with light brown hair styled in loose curls, wearing glasses, colorful earrings, and a light green t-shirt, smiling at the camera against a plain white background.

    Jessica Sammut

    Company Director, Whole Health Osteopathy

    With over a decade in allied health, Jessica is the founder of Whole Health Osteo & Rehab, a multidisciplinary clinic known for ethical, evidence-based care. She has grown the business from a solo practice into a thriving, values-led team and brings strengths in service innovation, systems design, sustainable growth, and leadership. With experience mentoring practitioners into independent practice, she’s passionate about helping others build profitable, purpose-driven businesses that truly serve their community.

  • Portrait of a woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling, wearing pearl earrings and a white blazer over a black top, with a blurred background featuring a window and outdoor greenery.

    Emily Hughes

    Founding Director, ClearPath Defence

    With 20 years in aerospace, Emily is a seasoned technical leader known for driving complex, innovative programs—particularly in autonomous systems, simulation, and analytics. She thrives in early concept development, where possibility meets uncertainty, and brings a structured approach to managing technical and enterprise risk. With experience across multinational portfolios and board roles in both corporate and NFP sectors, she bridges technical depth with enterprise strategy, making her a valuable mentor for leaders navigating innovation and governance in the Defence industry.

  • Nicholas Costanzo

    Founder and Owner, Nick's Negozio

    Nick started his business from the ground up at just 19 and has successfully grown it since 2019 — from a home-based operation to a full-scale factory with wholesale, delivery, and direct-to-public services. Now also running a retail food shop on-site, he brings hands-on experience in scaling operations, building a brand, and navigating the challenges of small business growth.

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a pink uniform, standing against a plain white wall.

    Jes Baile

    Director & Dermal Therapist, Nuovo Skin and Health

    As the founder of Nuovo Skin, a clinic established in 2020, Jes has grown the business from a solo venture into a thriving team-based model. With expertise in ethical brand building, team leadership, client experience, and strategic operations, she combines hands-on care with a values-driven approach to growth. Her strengths lie in creating supportive systems, mentoring teams, and fostering high-performing, empowering workplace cultures, making her a strong mentor for founders navigating service-based business growth.

  • A smiling man in a blue suit standing in front of shelves with sunglasses in an eyewear store.

    Steven Lam

    Paediatric Optometrist / Director,
    Optiplex Children's Eyecare

    Steven has opened multiple allied health, optometry, and dental clinics, gaining extensive experience in HR compliance, marketing, insurance, operations, and financial management. As the founder of Optompreneur, he now helps other optometrists successfully launch and grow their own clinics, offering practical guidance grounded in firsthand business experience.

  • A woman with glasses, brown hair, and earrings smiling, wearing a purple uniform with a lotus flower logo and standing in front of a sandy zen garden-themed wall art.

    Julia Bartrop

    CEO / Director, Rebalance Chinese Medicine

    Julia has a strong understanding of AHPRA regulations, including advertising guidelines and compliance around written communication, and brings deep insight into the healthcare sector and what clients value most. Her expertise helps health practitioners navigate legal requirements while building trust and delivering services that truly meet patient needs.

  • Photo of a smiling middle-aged man with a bald head, blue eyes, wearing a dark gray blazer, shirt, and scarf, against a white background.

    Keiran King

    Director / General Manager,
    Brick Lane Bagels & Aussie Oggie Pasty Co.

    With over 30 years in hospitality, Keiran brings a rare blend of hands-on experience, entrepreneurial success, and academic insight. A trade-qualified chef turned business owner, he has launched and run multiple ventures—from cafés and hotels to catering and niche food start-ups. Backed by a Diploma in Hospitality, a Masters in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and credentials as a Trainer & Assessor, Keiran combines operational expertise with strategic thinking. He’s passionate about supporting others to innovate, grow, and lead with confidence in the food and beverage industry.

  • A woman with red hair, pink eyeshadow, and freckles resting her chin on her hand, smiling at the camera.

    Melissa Pepers

    Business and Brand Positioning Strategist, Reimaginers

    With a rich background spanning business ownership, Fortune 500 consulting, and creative leadership at major agencies like Ogilvy and Wellcom, Melissa brings deep expertise in brand positioning, market fit, and customer insight. Her strategic edge is sharpened by unique tools like behavioural economics, game theory, emotional positioning, and design thinking. From launching startups to supporting food, retail, wellness, and tech businesses, she offers end-to-end experience - from operations and branding to advertising and tech stack setup. As a druid and member of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, she also brings a grounded, values-driven approach that resonates with Indigenous, spiritual, and purpose-led ventures.

Industry Mentorship

25eight Industry Mentors are passionate advocates of small and medium business because many of them have been there themselves and understand the power of a guiding hand at specific stages in the growth journey. Or, in their role, they seek the agility of smaller business to help solve the problems they have in their enterprise. They want to help you, help them.

Our growing portfolio of Industry Mentors have experience in a wide range of sectors and an expansive knowledge of small and medium growth challenges and opportunities. With all of 25eight business programs including a session with at least one Industry Mentor, we can help you fill the gaps in your knowledge, confidence and connections to ensure your business thrives.