Her Collective mentorship programme shows the power of women lifting women

In every industry, careers are shaped by opportunity. More often than not, however, they’re transformed by people.

If there’s one lesson we’ve learned from our inaugural cohort, it’s this: when women lift women, extraordinary things happen.

There is a saying that people don’t remember every meeting you had with them, but they remember how you made them feel.

In many ways, that captures the heart of mentorship.

A single conversation can change the way someone sees themselves. A trusted mentor can help someone navigate uncertainty, make a difficult career decision, find the confidence to speak up, or simply remind them that they belong.

That belief became the foundation for Her Collective.

Founded to connect women across media, marketing, advertising and communications, Her Collective was created to build something many of us wished we’d had earlier in our careers — a trusted community where women could learn from one another, share experiences openly and grow together.

The inaugural Her Collective Mentorship Programme brought together 30 senior industry leaders and 30 ambitious women from across South Africa’s media and marketing industry for a structured mentorship journey built on honest conversations, accountability and mutual growth.

What followed exceeded every expectation.

While we hoped the programme would build confidence, strengthen leadership and create meaningful connections, it became so much more. As the testimonials from our inaugural cohort began to arrive, one thing became abundantly clear: mentorship doesn’t simply change careers — it changes the way women see themselves.

Confidence. Courage. Community

For many mentees, the greatest transformation wasn’t reflected on a CV. It was internal.

Cara Woods, sales manager at Tractor Outdoor, described the programme as one of the most valuable experiences of her career.

“What I gained was so much more than guidance. I gained confidence, clarity and someone who genuinely invested in my growth. The mentorship helped me develop the confidence, communication skills and self-belief needed to step into a leadership role,” she says.

For Tangerine Mathebula, Her Collective became the catalyst for entrepreneurship. As she notes: “I came to Her Collective looking for direction, and I’m leaving with a consulting business and a newfound sense of confidence.”

Another mentee, Courtney Locke, discovered the courage to pursue a dream she’d been quietly carrying.

“Her Collective helped me recognise my own capabilities, trust my instincts and believe that I was capable of building something beyond my day-to-day role,” she says. “That confidence gave me the push I needed to launch my own business.”

For Thobekile Radebe, the journey wasn’t about becoming someone new.

“I expected to reinvent myself. Instead, I discovered there was never anything wrong with my voice to begin with. What I needed wasn’t reinvention; it was clarity, confidence and someone who believed in me enough to help me see my own potential.”

Some stories were deeply personal.

Khayelihle Dlamini reflected on a simple car ride home with her mentor that changed how she saw herself. “The programme has given me more than professional development. It has given me a community that reminds me that I belong, that my voice matters, and that I have something meaningful to contribute.”

For Yvonne Moyo, already an accomplished media professional in the out-of-home industry, the programme challenged the belief that mentorship is only for those starting out. “Growth doesn’t have an expiry date… Her Collective gave me the framework, accountability and confidence to move from thinking to doing,” she says.

And for Tynielle Beyers, the biggest shift was visible every day. “One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed is in how I show up professionally. I walk into rooms differently now.”

Different women. Different journeys.

Yet the themes remained remarkably consistent: confidence, courage, belonging and the reassurance that no woman has to navigate her career alone.

Mentors impacted too

One of the greatest surprises of the inaugural cohort was hearing just as many powerful reflections from mentors.

Many joined believing they would simply give back.

Instead, they found themselves growing too.

Valentine Gaudin-Muteba, managing director of TRACE Southern Africa, summed it up beautifully. “Having the opportunity to support, encourage and share my experiences with another woman reminded me just how powerful mentorship can be — not only for the mentee, but for the mentor as well,” she says.

Michelle Randall Sharnock, co-founder of Kirelley, shared a similar reflection. “I joined this programme thinking about what I could give. What I didn’t expect was just how much I would receive in return.”

For Genevieve Coward, COO of Primedia Outdoor, watching her mentee’s transformation became one of the highlights of her own leadership journey.“Watching her grow into a confident leader, build and lead a team, and take the courageous step of launching her own business has been inspiring to witness firsthand.”

Merissa Himraj reflected on how the experience reshaped her own leadership. “This process has made me learn more about how I show up in leadership, friendship and family life. Mentorship means we can change the pattern for future women in the workplace.”

For Dashni Vilakazi, managing director of The MediaShop, the programme represents something much bigger than one cohort.

“Our industry needs more women who actively open doors for others so we can accelerate their growth and create a ripple effect where today’s mentees become tomorrow’s leaders and mentors.”

And Katharine Liese, commercial director at Dentsu, captured the essence of Her Collective best. “Her Collective is more than a mentorship programme. It is a reminder that none of us achieves success alone, and that some of the most meaningful impact we can have is helping others realise their potential.”

The ripple effect

Success isn’t measured by the number of mentoring sessions held or hours invested.

It’s measured in the women who now lead with greater confidence.

The businesses that have been launched.

The promotions earned.

The difficult conversations that are no longer avoided.

The women who finally believe they deserve a seat at the table.

The inaugural cohort has shown what becomes possible when women intentionally invest in one another.

Today’s mentees will become tomorrow’s mentors.

Today’s conversations will shape tomorrow’s leaders.

And the ripple effect has only just begun.

As Her Collective continues to grow through mentorship, networking events, learning opportunities and industry partnerships, our vision remains unchanged: to create a community where women don’t compete for a seat at the table — they build a bigger table together.

If there’s one lesson we’ve learned from our inaugural cohort, it’s this: When women lift women, extraordinary things happen.

* Summary created by AI

Kirsty Carlson is owner and founder of Her Collective and an independent media consultant. She is also co-host and founder of Beyond the Billboard and OOH Central.