Our mentorship program supports students, emerging, and mid-career professionals, as well as those exploring a career in urban design, to grow and thrive in the field. Exclusive to Urban Design Forum members, the program connects Mentees with experienced practitioners for mentorship, coaching, and tailored career guidance.

Registration includes the below program:

1 x Introduction session (between Mentor and max. 3 Mentees)
Session 1 – between 23-27 June, 2025
2 x Mentoring sessions (between Mentor and max. 3 Mentees)
Session 2 – between 14-18 July, 2025
Session 3 – between 4-8 August, 2025
1 x Final wrap-up celebration (for all Mentees and Mentors in the program based in Melbourne/Naarm)
Monday 25 August 2025

Sessions are encouraged to take place in offices, studios, parks, project sites, public spaces, local libraries or cafes.

For the 2025 round of Mentor Forum we have the following experience categories, to allow more in-depth conversation between Mentees of similar career stages:

Urban curious (0 years experience - students and members exploring a career in urban design)
Emerging practitioners (1–5 years experience)
Established practitioners (5+ years experience)

Please select a single Mentor that aligns with your level of experience and note that registration is on a first come, first served basis.

We are pleased to present the following Mentors for this years program:

URBAN CURIOUS

Bianca Elencevski
Session 1 (In-person/online) – 25 June, 2025, 5pm-6:30pm
Luisa Schettino
Session 1 (In-person) – between 24-27 June, 2025, morning or evening TBD
Robert Moore
Session 1 (In-person) – between 23-25 June, 2025, time TBD
(Session 2 & 3 will be condensed between 9-11 July & between 16-18 July respectively)

EMERGING PRACTITIONERS

Adelise Pearson
Session 1 (In-person) – between 23-27 June, 2025, lunch time
Carlos Reyes
Session 1 (In-person) – between 23-27 June, 2025, lunch time or evening TBD
Justin Kelly
Session 1 (Online/Enquire for In-Person) – between 27 June, 2025, time 2:30 pm
Leila Farahani
Session 1 (In-person) – between 23-27 June, 2025, time TBD
Michael Frazzetto
Session 1 (In-person/Online) – 26 June, 2025, 1-2:30pm

ESTABLISHED PRACTITIONERS

Bronwen Hamilton
Session 1 (In-person) – between 23-27 June, 2025, time TBD
Kevin Begg
Session 1 (In-person) – between 25 June, 2025, 4:30 pm
Margie McKay
Session 1 (Online) – 23 June, 2025, 5:45-7:15pm
Matthew Pullinger
Session 1 (Online) – between 23-27 June, 2025, time TBD

Session 2 & 3 will be organised between the Mentor and Mentees at Session 1 (or prior).

By purchasing a ticket, Mentees commit to participating in all three sessions, acknowledge the specified times/dates for sessions based on their chosen Mentor and agree to Urban Design Forums code of ethics.