GI Challenge Mentors 2025

Tara Jacobsen is a social scientist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Groei Education, dedicated
to creating purpose-driven pathways for young people into the future of work. She partners with
industry, government, and community to design innovative learning programs, digital
credentials, and real-world experiences that connect youth with workplace and entrepreneurial
opportunities.

Passionate about social capital and peer learning, Tara mentors young
entrepreneurs to build networks, validate ideas, and develop the skills and confidence to thrive.
She has mentored and judged on the Mayors Telstra innovation Awards and the Sunshine
Coast Business Awards.

Soojee Ford is the founder of The Good Studio, a branding and marketing studio based on the Sunshine Coast. She works with service-based businesses to define their brand positioning and build brands that lead in their industries.

She is also the founder of Hyesun, Australia’s first Asian fit and low nose bridge eyewear brand, born from her own experience of struggling to find glasses that fit. As a mentor, she draws on this mix of brand strategy and founder experience to help others shape brands with a clear vision and strong market presence.

Soenke is a renowned entrepreneur and innovator in the hospitality technology sector. He is best known as the founder of Optii Solutions, a pioneering hotel housekeeping optimisation software that established a new industry niche and became a global market leader.

After successfully growing Optii Solutions through multiple fundraising rounds in the US and Australia, the company expanded from Oceania to Asia, Europe and the US and was acquired by the MCR Corporation, the third-largest hotel owner in the United States, in 2021. Following the sale, and with a background that includes a MBA focused on marketing and finance, Soenke has shifted his entrepreneurial focus.

He is now dedicated to addressing the unique challenges presented by labor shortages to the cleaning operations for resorts and short-term rental operators on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, leveraging his deep expertise in both software and the hotel industry, to help prepare the region for hosting the Olympics in 2032.

Olivia is the founder of The Outside Leader, where she helps family-run manufacturing businesses grow through fresh thinking and collaboration. She understands the unique challenges family businesses face and is passionate about helping them thrive without losing what makes them special.

With an Executive MBA from RMIT and a board role at the Food & Agribusiness Network, Olivia brings both big-picture strategy and practical know-how. She works alongside teams to spark new ideas, strengthen decision-making, and bring innovations to market, so SMEs can stay competitive while staying true to their family values.

Neil Ware is an accomplished entrepreneur with 27 years in importing, manufacturing, and distribution. He has built a thriving, enduring business while dedicating time to volunteer work and mentoring other entrepreneurs. Passionate about sharing knowledge, Neil supports and inspires businesses to grow, combining hands-on industry expertise with a commitment to community and professional development.

Khayt is Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of Mindstar, one of Australia’s first telehealth platforms and now a leading mental health and wellbeing company trusted by clients such as Woolworths, Mirvac, Dan Murphy’s, BWS and Australian Retirement Trust.

Before co-founding Mindstar in 2014, Khayt spent a decade at Virgin Australia, surrounded by entrepreneurship at its best, where she held senior roles in capability, culture, and people advisory and leadership.

Gabriel is a Sunshine Coast–based Technology Facilitator and founder of The Tech Group. He helps founders and small teams turn scattered technology into simple, secure workflows—focusing on software administration, resilient backups, and smart automations that save hours.

With a background in Mechatronics and Advanced IT and experience across enterprise and startup environments, Gabriel brings a calm, practical approach: listen first, reduce complexity, then deliver clear next steps. At Generation Innovation he aims to help young entrepreneurs to choose the right tools, document what works, and build systems that scale without burnout.

Meet Claire: Managing Director of Forbes Meisner and expert facilitator and dynamic keynote speaker who uses imagination and play to transform businesses. Specialising in fostering creativity and innovation, Claire leads engaging workshops designed to boost productivity and personal growth. She is also the editor of the Lionhearted Magazine.

Over the past 13 years, Adam has led sales, customer service, marketing operations, and strategic projects in a billion-dollar business, personally leading over 250 staff in his time as Head of Sales.

He is passionate about delivering results by fostering high performance cultures and creating successful teams. He is extremely capable across multiple business operations and identifies and advocates for the highest return on investment opportunities to improve operating efficiency and effectiveness, reduce cost, drive staff engagement and customer experience.

Adam is an authentic, energetic and experienced coach who specialises in developing business owners, front line staff, middle management, and senior leaders.

Matters Magazine

As a networking and connections coach, Luke is a vital link to the success of many businesses and organisations. He is instrumental in hosting a number of significant networking events on the Sunshine Coast and boasts years of experience in marketing for Proctor and Gamble, working with iconic brands and forging strategic partnerships with Australia’s top retailers. Luke also owns Matters Magazine, Sunshine Coast.

The University of Queensland

Fi Woolliscroft is the UQ Ventures Startup AdVentures Coordinator, and is responsible for the
coordination and facilitation of the Startup AdVentures program, including student and host
engagement, program delivery, and logistical planning. Fiona plays in the space of developing
young entrepreneurs and we are grateful for her involvement in GI this year.