Congratulations to the six recipients of the Women in Media Executive Coaching Scholarships provided pro bono by leadership coaching firm Nudge. From a competitive pool of applicants, a shortlisting process including interviews landed six women a spot in the program. Participants will each receive six, one-on-one, online coaching sessions over the next four to five months. The program aims to assist individuals to realise their full potential, expand their thinking, and find new ways of working.
This program is a direct outcome of the findings within the inaugural Women in Media Industry Insight Report 2023Â which informs the call for gender equality, pathways for career progress, and access to support and resources for women working in all roles and types of media.
The report flagged actions for employers, but Women in Media also wants to ensure we are supporting and providing our members with opportunities to address these career concerns.
The survey of women working in a range of media roles across Australia found that 54% of women were dissatisfied or unsure about how to advance their careers.
To help women progress in their careers, we are partnering with Nudge Coaching to offer Women in Media members the opportunity to participate in free leadership coaching.
The Nudge coaches are looking forward to working with this second group of fabulous women from all areas of the media industry. To support them to identify their strengths, lean into challenges, think in new ways and navigate their professional paths in an industry that isn’t always kind to, or easy for, women.
You can learn more about the program here.
The recipients are:
Lisa Allan
NSW, Editor, Newcastle Herald
Lisa Allan is the Editor of the Newcastle Herald. She was appointed to the role in January 2023, becoming the 25th editor in the paper's 165-year history, and the first woman to hold the title. Lisa has had a 20-year career in journalism, much of it in regional newspapers, as well as stints at Australian Associated Press and Guardian Australia. She is passionate about regional media and elevating the voices of the powerless and marginalised. Lisa grew up on the NSW mid-north coast and holds a degree in journalism, a master’s in education and a graduate diploma in psychology.
Jane Lee
VIC, Journalist, Guardian Australia
Jane Lee is a host and senior producer for Guardian Australia's news and current affairs podcast Full Story. Her reporting has focused on legal affairs, crime and politics. She previously produced and presented audio documentaries for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Siobhán McGeown
NSW, Marketing Manager, Screen at ABC
Siobhán McGeown is a proud Yuin woman and is Marketing Manager of Screen at the ABC. She manages and develops multiplatform marketing campaigns and brand strategy including ABC iview and ABC TV. She has led marketing and brand strategy for iconic local brands including ABC, ABC iview, Utopia, War on Waste and Bluey. She brings a creative, multi-disciplinary skill set with a specific focus on finding new audiences, creating premium experiences and building retention strategies that help strengthen brand and product offerings. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), awarded with distinction from University of Technology (UTS) and recently won B&T’s 30 Under 30 award for Marketing.
Mahalia Bowles
WA, Post Production and Social Media Coordinator, Prospero Productions
Passionate storyteller and media professional, Mahalia Bowles is currently working as a Post Production and Social Media Coordinator at Prospero Productions. With a rich background in the arts, experience in broadcast journalism and a Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting from Edith Cowan University, she is dedicated to contributing to the creation of insightful, interesting, and exciting observational documentary series that captivate audiences not only in Australia but also in the UK and around the world. Mahalia hopes to expand her skill set to story producing and eventually directing and, most recently, worked on the post production for the series Junior Doctors Down Under, due to premiere on SBS, in the first half on next year.
Ingrid Barham
QLD, General Manager, Bundaberg Media
As a co-owner and General Manager of Bundaberg Today, Ingrid is leading the way in providing quality public interest journalism to the Bundaberg QLD region.With extensive senior commercial roles in top-tier news media organisations, advertising agencies, and marketing departments, Ingrid brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to her work. She has a deep understanding of the media landscape and a keen eye for business opportunities, which has helped her to build and grow Bundaberg Today into a thriving and respected news outlet. In addition to her work with Bundaberg Today, Ingrid is an active member of the Bundaberg community. Along with sitting on the Wide Bay-Burnett Regional Advisory Committee for LifeFlight Rescue helicopter service, Ingrid's dedication to her community was recognised when she was awarded the prestigious President's Award at the Bundaberg Regional Chambers of Commerce Business Excellence Awards in 2022.
Tanya Phegan
NSW, Head of Scripted, Guesswork Television
Tanya Phegan is an Australian-based film and television producer and senior media executive.
Tanya is currently the Head of Scripted at Guesswork Television and is responsible for overseeing the development and production of Guesswork’s scripted slate. She was an executive producer on  the critically acclaimed series Deadloch for Amazon Prime Video released in June, 2023.
Tanya was the Co-Creator and Producer of OPERATION BUFFALO (Porchlight Films, 2020) a six-part drama series for ABC Australia. The series won Best Comedy Award at the Berlin TV Series Festival, 2020. Tanya has worked on numerous other series including COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS, THE KETTERING INCIDENT, SCRUBLANDS and RAKE.
Tanya worked for over a decade in the UK and US in international scripted development, production and acquisitions. In the UK she held roles at BBC Films, DNA Films/Fox Searchlight and Universal Pictures. She developed projects with the UK's top creative talent, working on films including THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, 28 WEEKS LATER, DREDD, THE HISTORY BOYS, NEVER LET ME GO, SUNSHINE, NOTES ON A SCANDAL, FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD and 360°. In the US, Tanya curated 'Your Film Festival' with YouTube/Scott Free with the winner creating a new work produced by Ridley Scott and Michael Fassbender.