Charity to Auction Business Mentors

International development aid organisation ChildFund Australia is to auction off mentoring sessions with 10 of Australia’s leading executives.

Australian business leaders are auctioning off one-hour mentoring sessions in ChildFund Australia’s MentorMe Auction via an online bidding process.

The mentors include advertising guru Todd Sampson, Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry AO (recently voted Australia’s most influential woman), LinkedIn ANZ & SE Asia Managing Director Cliff Rosenberg, and magazine industry heavyweight Jackie Frank.

“Proceeds raised through the MentorMe Auction will help create livelihood opportunities for young people and families in some of the Asia-Pacific’s poorest communities, while auction winners will have the chance to sit down with their chosen mentor for an hour of expert guidance and career advice,” ChildFund Australia CEO Nigel Spence said.

“This is a rare opportunity to be mentored by some of Australia’s most respected and influential business leaders, while also having an impact on the lives of children living in extreme poverty.

“All of the mentors have a story to tell and a wealth of advice to share, from start-up entrepreneurs to financial sector gurus to media moguls. By auctioning their time, they are not only helping young professionals here in Australia but supporting vital small business projects in our region.”

Managing director of LinkedIn for Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia, Cliff Rosenberg, said it was an easy decision to take part in the MentorMe Auction because “investing in young people and helping others is so important”.

“I strongly believe the onus is on all of us to shape a better future for generations to come,” Rosenberg said.

“I’m absolutely supportive of anything we can do to invest in and develop future talent.”

The charity said a New Zealand pilot of the MentorMe Auction raised $30,000 and they hoped to raise $50,000 in Australia.

ChildFund Australia is a member of the ChildFund Alliance – a global network of 12 organisations which assists more than 15 million children and families in 58 countries and accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which manages the Australian Government’s overseas aid program.

Bidding opens 2 March 2016 at 10am (AEDT) and closes 16 March 2016 at 5pm (AEDT).