The NSSN proudly hosted its inaugural Women in Sensing Summit in Sydney on 15 May 2025. This article is the continuation of a special series highlighting the Summit’s key moments, insights, and voices from the event, as we reflect on the significance of this milestone and the powerful contributions of women in the sensing field. 

Franklin Women founder Dr Melina Georgousakis delivered a practical masterclass on the underestimated power of mentorship at the NSSN’s inaugural Women in Sensing Summit.

Dr Melina Georgousakis at the *Women in Sensing Summit*.

The medical research scientist combined personal story, lived experience, and years of sector-wide insight to illuminate how mentorship can be a transformative force—not just for mentees, but for mentors and entire ecosystems.

“I’ve had the best job in the world,” she said about her Franklin Women work, a social enterprise that champions gender equity in the health and medical research sector.

“I get to spend time with brilliant women from all career levels, disciplines, organisations, and roles who contribute to health care and health and medical research.”

Dr Georgousakis said mentorship is a tangible, structured tool which can accelerate careers, bolster confidence, and create pathways for women in science that may otherwise remain closed.

She shared her own “squiggly” career journey—from medical researcher to policy advisor to social entrepreneur.

“Along that journey, mentorship became such a big part of how I got to where I am today,” she said.

Mentorship ≠ Supervision ≠ Sponsorship

One of the core messages of her talk was the importance of understanding the distinct roles that mentorship, supervision, and sponsorship play in professional development.

· Mentors offer guidance drawn from their own experience.

· Supervisors are invested in your outcomes, often with their own interests tied to your success.

· Sponsors are door-openers—actively advocating for you when you're not in the room.

Members of the audience at the *Women in Sensing Summit*.

“Mentors ask, ‘Have you tried applying to speak at a conference?’” said Dr Georgousakis. “Sponsors say, ‘I’ve nominated you to speak at this conference.’ We need both.”

Since 2014, Franklin Women’s formal mentoring program has supported over 700 women, delivering real-world results: 40 percent of participants are promoted within a year.

Nearly all report an increase in confidence—often the first step to pursuing grants, stepping into leadership, or changing career direction.

Read more about Franklin Women.

“Mentoring can change your life”: Franklin Women Founder on power of support