Kicking Off 2025: A Recap of the MiF Launch Event

Mentor it Forward
Feb 14
3 min read

Updated: Apr 12

Last Thursday, we officially kicked off 2025 with a bang at the MiF Launch Event, and what a night it was! It was a fantastic opportunity to unite the community, share new initiatives, and celebrate our achievements.

The Perfect Venue

Where better to do it than at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA HQ? It’s our favorite venue, thanks to the incredible support from CCIWA. They went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly, from setup to logistics. Their doors were open, welcoming our community with open hearts.

The Build-Up

Let’s be honest—pulling off this event was no small feat. The logistics were complex. But our dream team—Jaywen, Amy, Mariama, Anish, and Dorit—made sure everything was in place. Huge shoutout to them for their dedication!

A small but meaningful move toward sustainability was made by encouraging everyone to "tag it, wear it, return it." Instead of taking name tags home (or tossing them in a drawer never to be seen again), guests left them behind for reuse at future events. A simple change, but every step counts!

MiF guest name tags — "Tag it, Wear it, Return it"

The Evening Unfolds

By 5:00 PM, guests started arriving, and the room quickly filled up. A mix of professionals, mentors, industry leaders, and changemakers mingled, enjoying drinks and making new connections. The energy was just right—lively yet relaxed, with conversations flowing effortlessly.

Our fantastic MC, Rukie Jayasekera, took the mic to officially start things off. After covering some quick house rules and delivering well-deserved thank-yous, we jumped right in.

The Speakers: Inspiration, Balance & Inclusion

First up was Charlie Blake from Neon Leadership, who set the tone with a powerful talk on Leading with Resilience. He reminded us that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about moving forward with purpose and strength. A key takeaway? “Excelling in self-leadership” is at the core of all our efforts, influencing our goals and teams.

Next, Ming Johanson from Jumpstart Marketing took the stage with Finding Balance in a World That Doesn’t Stop. Ming shared practical strategies for managing the chaos of work and life. He emphasized the importance of recognizing our non-negotiables because we often treat them as negotiable. It was a much-needed reality check!

Closing out our lineup was Clare Gibellini. She led an unfiltered, open discussion on disability inclusion. Clare encouraged people to ask the uncomfortable questions often avoided. This created an honest and powerful dialogue, which was refreshing and essential.

Big Announcements: What’s Coming in 2025

Of course, it wouldn’t be a launch event without some exciting announcements.

Diana Goh from LoanSupermart introduced the MiF IWD2025 Talk Series, scheduled for March. She shared her personal and professional journey, reminding us that if we seek change, we must be the change—no shortcuts.

Diana Goh, Director of Loansupermart — Diana Goh presenting the MiF IWD2025 Talk Series

Then, Haim Oz (MiF) and Doug Robertson (DR Analytics) announced an exciting new mentoring cohort launching in March. This collaboration between Mentor it Forward and the InnerJoin community will connect data specialists, mentors, and mentees. This initiative aims to foster growth and professional development in the data field.

Wrapping Up with Good Food & Great Conversations

By this point, our minds were full of insights, and it was time to think about filling our stomachs too. Food, drinks, and networking followed, with conversations continuing well past the official end.

As the evening came to a close, we started packing up. There was already talk of the next event. With food comes the appetite—for more gatherings and for big things ahead in 2025.