GWPR Australia names Maya Ivanovic as first recipient of national mentoring scholarship

GWPR Australia (GWPR) has today announced Maya Ivanovic from Palin Communications as the recipient of the inaugural 2025 GWPR Mentoring Scholarship, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing the next wave of women leaders in PR and communications.

Delivered in partnership with Beaumont People, this fully funded scholarship, the first of its type in Australia, provides Ivanovic with access to Beaumont People’s acclaimed 6-month LEAD Program. Designed specifically to boost leadership capabilities, executive presence, and career development, the program includes personalised mentoring, strengths-based coaching, interactive masterclasses, and strategic networking opportunities.

Addressing a critical gap in professional development, the pilot scholarship initiative was launched to support early to mid-career women (5–10 years’ experience) working in PR and corporate affairs roles, a cohort overlooked by existing coaching and mentoring programs.

GWPR Australia launched the local mentoring program with CPRA and Beaumont People as a pilot program in early 2025. The program was launched in response to data suggesting younger women in PR and corporate communication lack access to mentoring opportunities that might help them develop their skills, empower them in their current roles, and progress to more senior roles. Global data continues to show an underrepresentation of women in the most senior roles in PR and communication.

The pilot program aims to make mentoring accessible, practical, and tailored to real-world challenges faced by women in the communications industry. We’re working on developing a cohort of mentors and securing funding from partners so the pilot can be extended to another five participants in the next year.

“The response from the women who applied, and who took our offer of feedback up, was shocking. Every single participant we spoke to cites a lack of mentors in the profession, the difficulty of accessing quality mentorship, and the gaping absence of programs that go beyond role-specific skills development,” says Carden Calder, chair of the GWPR Australia Mentoring program.

Ivanovic, an award-winning health PR leader and Associate Director – Client Services at Palin Communications, was selected based on her proven track record in leading impactful national campaigns, mentoring emerging professionals, and collaborating with academic institutions to strengthen the PR talent pipeline.

Reflecting on her selection, Ivanovic says: “The LEAD program is an opportunity for me to step out of my everyday and invest in my development with intent. I’m looking forward to learning and mentorship that challenges my thinking, explores different leadership styles, and exposes me to important feedback to help me build executive-level confidence and clarity.”

Feedback and insights gathered during this pilot round, particularly through Ivanovic’s involvement, will directly inform future enhancements to the scholarship, ensuring continued relevance and broader support for women across the PR and communications industry.

Hosted by Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA), GWPR Australia leverages CPRA’s expertise, industry networks and infrastructure.

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