ESG Masterclass & Mentoring Series
Description
Helping Greater Whitsunday SMEs turn ESG into practical action
The ESG Masterclass & Mentoring Series is a hands‑on, practical program designed to help Greater Whitsunday small and medium businesses (SMEs) make ESG (Environment, Social & Governance) workable, relevant and valuable for their business.
Rather than focusing on theory or reporting, this Series supports SMEs to move from awareness to action. You’ll learn what ESG actually means for your business, what customers and supply chains are starting to expect, and how to take realistic steps that strengthen competitiveness, improve sustainability performance and uncover practical efficiency and cost‑saving opportunities.
The program is open to SMEs in the Greater Whitsunday region from any industry and combines expert‑led masterclasses with tailored mentoring so you can apply learnings directly to your own business context.
What you’ll gain
By taking part in the Series, your business will receive:
Three practical, expert‑led masterclasses delivered between May and September 2026, focused on ESG foundations, measurement and implementation, and building confidence to move forward
Up to 4 hours of tailored mentoring with a Greater Whitsunday ESG Service Provider, matched to your business needs, to help turn learning into clear, achievable actions
An ESG AI Business Health Check to understand where your business is currently positioned and identify priority focus areas
12‑month access to the ESG AI tool (subscription valued at $500) to support decision‑making, prioritise actions and track progress over time
This Series is designed to be practical, supportive and SME‑friendly so no prior ESG expertise is required.
Who should attend
This program is ideal for:
SME owners, managers and decision‑makers
Businesses from any industry operating in the Greater Whitsunday region
Organisations wanting to stay competitive, meet rising expectations, and take practical steps on ESG and decarbonisation without over‑complicating things
Up to two participants per business may attend.
Key details
Masterclasses:
Masterclass #1: Tuesday 19 May 2026, 8:00am–12:00pm
Masterclass #2: Tuesday 23 June 2026, 8:00am–12:00pm
Masterclass #3: August/September 2026
Mentoring: 4 hours between June to September 2026
Location: Mackay (in‑person, details provided to participants)
Cost: Free for eligible Greater Whitsunday SMEs
Places available: Limited to 20 businesses
If you want to make ESG practical, stay competitive and take clear next steps that actually fit your business, the ESG Masterclass & Mentoring Series is designed for you. Places are strictly limited so register early to secure your place.
This program is delivered under the Decarbonisation Accelerated Project, proudly supported by major funding partner the Local Buying Foundation.
FAQs
- How much does the program cost?
Participation in the ESG Masterclass and Mentoring Series is completely FREE for eligible SMEs. Places are strictly limited so SMEs are encouraged to sign up early to secure their place.
- Who is eligible to participate?
Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the Greater Whitsunday region are eligible to participate. SMEs may be from any industry.
- Do I need to be an expert in ESG?
No! Whether you are already on an ESG journey or starting from zero, this program is for you. With tailored mentoring, the program will be matched to your business needs, helping turn learning into clear, achievable actions.
- I am not located in Mackay. Can I still participate?
The program will be delivered in person in Mackay for any business in the Greater Whitsunday region. Businesses located in Isaac or Whitsunday are welcome to attend.
Located in Isaac or Whitsunday but can't travel to Mackay? The ESG Masterclass and Mentoring Series will be coming to you in person via a Roadshow in coming months. Details coming soon...
Speaker Lineup
Georgia Lavers
Georgia Lavers is a Project Coordinator at Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3), working across decarbonisation and biomanufacturing initiatives to support a sustainable and competitive future for the Greater Whitsunday region. She holds a Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability from the Australian National University (ANU), with a strong foundation in sustainability, systems thinking and applied environmental decision‑making. During the ESG Masterclass & Mentoring Series, Georgia will facilitate the sessions and lead practical workshop activities, helping businesses reflect on what ESG means in their context and how to take realistic, achievable steps forward.
James Cronan
James Cronan is Director at ESG Impact and an internationally experienced ESG specialist with over 14 years’ experience across finance, sustainability and risk. With a background in financial services spanning banking, equities trading, compliance and risk, James brings a practical perspective on how ESG expectations intersect with real business decision‑making. He has led ESG initiatives across global projects in property, renewables, infrastructure and the built environment, and is the founder and Managing Director of ESG Artificial Intelligence. In the ESG Masterclass & Mentoring Series, James will lead an ESG 101 workshop and introduce the ESG AI Business Health Check, helping SMEs understand ESG in plain English and identify practical, priority actions for their business.
Cle-Anne Gabriel
Cle‑Anne Gabriel is the Founder and CEO of ThinkZero and a nationally recognised sustainability and decarbonisation specialist. Her work spans climate change, emissions reduction, circular economy and ESG metrics, with experience advising businesses and governments across Australia and internationally. Cle‑Anne has led and contributed to major energy transition and decarbonisation initiatives, including the design of zero‑emissions certification programs and Australia’s first Carbon Literacy program. In the ESG Masterclass & Mentoring Series, Cle‑Anne will lead a practical workshop on emissions and data readiness, helping SMEs understand what Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions mean in practice and what information businesses may be asked for now and in the future. She will also support participating businesses as a mentor, helping them apply these learnings to their own operations.
Sarah Woolmington
Sarah Woolmington is the Founder of Impact Dragonfly, where she supports organisations to turn sustainability and ESG strategy into lived, day‑to‑day practice. With over 25 years’ experience in coaching, training and behaviour change, Sarah specialises in activating people and embedding sustainability into culture, operations and performance. She brings deep expertise in ESG, sustainability auditing, facilitation and stakeholder engagement, working with corporates, councils, NGOs, not‑for‑profits and SMEs. In the ESG Masterclass & Mentoring Series, Sarah will share practical insights on embedding ESG into an organisation’s mission and values, helping businesses move from intention to action. She will also support participating businesses as a mentor, helping them apply these learnings to their own operations.
Kevin Kane
Kevin Kane is Director of Broadstrokes and a sustainability, governance and strategic partnerships specialist with over 20 years’ experience supporting organisations to navigate ESG, climate and regulatory challenges. Through Broadstrokes, Kevin works with businesses across regional Australia to align sustainability with strategy, guide projects through complex approvals, and build stakeholder‑driven partnerships that strengthen long‑term resilience. His governance experience spans national, state and regional organisations, where he has served in board and executive roles focused on risk, accountability and strategic growth. In the ESG Masterclass & Mentoring Series, Kevin will share practical insights on the social and governance pillars of ESG, helping SMEs understand how social licence, people, partnerships and simple, fit‑for‑purpose governance support credibility and confident decision‑making. He will also support participating businesses as a mentor, helping them apply these learnings to their own operations.
Akshay Dave
Akshay Dave is a Principal Consultant at Aethiro, supporting regional Queensland SMEs and agribusinesses to measure and manage their carbon footprint with practical, affordable and defensible approaches. Based in Gladstone, Akshay is a chemical engineer with an MBA and brings extensive experience from heavy industry, including aluminium, fertiliser manufacturing and mineral processing, where he has led projects delivering emissions reductions, efficiency improvements and stronger safety outcomes. His work is grounded in helping businesses use the data they already have to make better decisions. In the ESG Masterclass & Mentoring Series, Akshay will share a regional Queensland perspective on common carbon myths and pitfalls, helping SMEs understand where businesses often get stuck and how to avoid common mistakes as expectations around carbon data and reporting continue to evolve.
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