How to find the right boardroom mentor

Securing a suitable mentor can be a pivotal step in your professional journey if you’re seeking to shape a career on boards.

The right mentor will not only guide you but challenge you to grow, enhancing your readiness for a board role and providing you with the tools to succeed in directorship.

Identify your goals

It’s important to be “absolutely clear” about what you’re looking for in a mentor, says Patricia McKenzie FAICD, former chair of AGL Energy.

A mentor can offer much more than career advice. They can clarify legal and governance obligations, demystify board processes, make introductions and even role-play difficult conversations.

“Are you looking for a mentor who will primarily help you to find board positions or are you more interested in a mentor who will help you in your role as a director?” asks McKenzie.

Research potential mentors

Start your search within your existing professional network.

According to McKenzie, a personal connection increases the likelihood that a potential mentor will agree to help or recommend you for a role.

If you must look beyond your immediate circle, due diligence is key. Research potential mentors to ensure they have a strong reputation, and that their leadership style and approach align with your own needs. 

Keep in mind that finding the right mentor may involve "a little bit of trial and error", says John Kelly AM, a non-executive director with AUZ.Life and ARCS Australia.

“It’s always a challenge not to grab the first person, even if you like them,” says Kelly.

Informal conversations with more experienced directors can also help you clarify your needs and identify the right person.

Evaluate compatibility

Rapport and trust form the foundation of a successful mentorship. This trust is essential for the "hard truths" that will inevitably emerge, says Kelly. That’s the feedback you need to hear to overcome performance issues that might hinder your directorship journey.

When evaluating compatibility, Robin Low FAICD, a non-executive director with Appen and Articore Group, recommends seeking mentors who have diverse board experience. 

This breadth of exposure means they can offer deeper insights into the varying cultures and dynamics of different boards, helping you to avoid missteps and to focus on genuine opportunities.

Manage expectations

Many directors are busy people. It’s important that both sides of the mentoring relationship manage expectations, says McKenzie.

Decide on the basics, such as how much time you’ll spend together, whether you’ll meet regularly or ad hoc and the content you’d like to discuss.

“Are they happy to have you come to them with issues you’re finding difficult or how to handle a conflict of interest, or what to do if you don’t agree with a board decision?” 

Taking time to carefully consider whether you’re looking for government roles, listed companies, private equity or a host of other options can help to identify the best match, advises McKenzie.

READ MORE: How to secure your first paid board role

“A mentor can help you determine whether you’re ASX-ready or whether you should be looking at other roles first to build up your experience,” she adds.

Mentees shouldn’t just assume their mentor will introduce them to their networks, make referrals or help them to find board positions — although, in practice, they may do all those things.

“It’s something you should discuss upfront and agree on what you as a mentee wants, and what the mentor feels they can give,” says McKenzie.

McKenzie’s own mentor recommended her for her first listed board role.

“He knew me, he trusted me and I was the first woman on that board,” she says. “That’s another lesson — don’t be afraid to ask.”

Connect with people and networks

Actively engaging with the right people and relevant networks can enhance your readiness for a board role and provide the confidence needed to succeed in directorship.

Professional associations can connect aspiring directors with experienced mentors, structured professional development opportunities and exclusive networking opportunities.

Both McKenzie and Low have participated in the AICD Chair’s Mentoring Program. Kelly mentors one or two candidates each year through McCarthy Mentoring and McKenzie will chair the 2026 Women On Boards WOBSX program.

High-quality networking events like the AICD Essential Director Updates and other forums provide opportunities for new directors to meet with more senior board members and recruiters in informal settings.

As Low notes, forums and workshops allow you to learn from a wide range of directors, even if they're not your formal mentor. 

Engaging with online platforms and professional networks can also help you to maintain contact, share resources and track progress.Seek a referralUltimately, a trusted referral can fast-track your journey.

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Mentors can provide the confidence to apply for positions you may have otherwise overlooked. 

McKenzie recalls how her mentor’s advice about women’s reluctance to apply for roles they don't fully qualify for encouraged her to put her name forward for opportunities she previously considered out of reach. 

That single piece of important advice, she says, was a turning point.

“After that, I thought, ‘Well, even if I don’t tick every box, I can still put my name forward for things’.”