Introduction

Welcome to the Australian Tunnelling Society (ATS) Mentor Alliance – a dynamic program designed to connect engineers and professionals in the tunnelling industry through meaningful mentorships.

Launched in 2023 by the Diversity in Tunnelling (DiT) Subcommittee, this initiative was created to inspire and empower industry members, providing opportunities to develop new skills, gain confidence, and accelerate career growth through mentorship.

Now in its third year, the 2025 Mentor Alliance is a collaborative effort between the ATS DiT and Young Members, with expert guidance from Patricia Kaziro, Director at Impact Business School. As the program’s learning design and diversity, equity and inclusion partner, Impact Business School co-designs the program and facilitates Learning and Development forums, focusing on leadership, professional growth, and sustainability education. This ensures that mentees gain actionable insights for inclusive, forward-thinking leadership within the tunnelling industry. The program is also proudly supported by the New Zealand Tunnelling Society (NZTS), Papua New Guinea Tunnelling Society (PNGTS) and Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) NSW Chapter.


Why Join the Mentor Alliance?

  • For Mentees: Gain confidence, expand your knowledge, and develop the skills needed to advance your career. A mentor serves as a professional guide—offering insights, motivation, and valuable advice when you need it most.
  • For Mentors: Make a difference by sharing your expertise, gaining fresh perspectives, and shaping future industry leaders. This program offers a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills while contributing to the growth of the tunnelling community.
  • For Peer Mentors: Combine the pros of both being a mentor and a mentee at the same time by connecting with someone at the same career stage. Peer mentors provide and receive guidance, support and share knowledge with each others.

Mentoring Alliance Digital Library

Discover the MA Digital Library, where participants can access resources and tools to support your mentoring journey.

Digital Library: Sign In Here

Access details and the password will be shared with participants via email or through the Mentoring Alliance WhatsApp group.

Upcoming Events and News

The matching is now done, and all participants have been notified of their new mentor / mentee / peer pair and their contact details. Please reach out to us on ATSMentorAlliance@gmail.com if you have not received the notification email, or have any further inquires.

Our WhatsApp Community is starting too, don’t forget to join!

There are three Orientation Sessions organised to help you kick off on this journey with your pair:

Registration links are included in the notification emails – please only register to one!

Our 1st Learning and Development Forum (L&D Forum) will be held on 28 May –more information will be sent through an email.


Past Events

Explore previous 2025 Mentor Alliance events:

2025 L&D Forum 6: A DEI Perspective

2025 L&D Forum 2: Effective Communication for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

 

2025 L&D Forum 5: Your Career Playbook: A Blueprint for Professional Growth

 

Contacts

Agnes Varo

ATS DiT: Committee Member

Agnes Varo

Agi is an accomplished Tunnel Engineer with extensive experience in tunnelling and infrastructure projects. She has worked on major projects in Australia and around the world (including Hong Kong, Hungary, UK, India). She was a founding member of the ATS Diversity in Tunnelling Group and has been instrumental in setting up and growing the very successful Mentor Alliance program.

Geon Lim

ATSYM: Committee Member

Geon Lim

Geon is a geotechnical engineering student at the University of Sydney. His interest is rock mechanics and ground engineering. He is starting his professional career in Tunnelling Industry.

Patricia Kaziro

Director of Global Learning Solutions, Impact Business School

Patricia Kaziro

We are a global learning institution that empowers leaders and professionals through skills development and education. We are the ATS MA’s learning and DEI partner, co-designing the learning and development forums and advising on its growth strategy.

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Hannah Farrant

ATS DiT: Committee Member

Hannah Farrant

Hannah is a chartered civil engineer specialising in tunnels and underground spaces with extensive experience in major underground infrastructure projects in the UK, Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand, and a technical background in tunnelling design, management, and construction techniques. An advocate for diversity in engineering, she has supported the Mentoring Alliance as a member of the ATS DiT Committee since its inception.

Sam Azari

ATS DiT: Committee Member

Sam Azari

Sam is a Fellow of Engineers Australia and a Chartered Professional Engineer with broad experience in the design and construction of infrastructure projects, including tunnelling and geotechnical works, in Australia and internationally. Passionate about mentoring, she is an enthusiastic and motivated tunnel engineer with a growth mindset, committed to technical excellence and team development.

Jerrin Sajan

ATS MA Organising Committee Member

Jerrin Sajan

Jerrin is a tunnel design and rock mechanics engineer with over 11 years' experience across hydropower, transport tunnels and underground cavern projects. He specialises in geotechnical assessment, TBM tunnelling, slope stability analysis and numerical modelling of tunnels and surface excavations. He currently works as a resident engineer at the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro power project.

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Rishabh Manglunia

ATSYM: Committee Member

Rishabh Manglunia

Rishabh is a Geotechnical Engineer in his early career at Aurecon. He has always been fascinated by tunnels and there is nothing he loves more than tunnels. The complexity and challenge of tunnelling never cease to amaze and excite him! He believes that tunnels are the truest test of engineering teamwork, design, and construction and that belief is at the heart of his commitment to the tunnelling industry.

Kuan Rou Lim

ATSYM: Committee Member

Kuan Rou Lim

Kuan is a Geotechnical Engineer at PSM who developed an early interest in tunnelling through student involvement and industry exposure during university. She has worked on projects including the Sydney Metro West Eastern Tunnelling Package and Cross River Rail.

Dian Wang

ATS WA: Committee Member

Dian Wang

Dian has over 12 years of experience in ground engineering. His design expertise includes cut-and-cover tunnelling, NATM tunnelling, deep excavation, and earth retaining structures. Passionate about ground engineering, he has contributed to several major tunnelling projects across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia.

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Meet Our Program Ambassadors

Our Ambassadors act as role models and connectors, guiding new participants and helping strengthen the Mentor Alliance community.

Read their testimonies: Amanda's story | Annalena’s story | Craig’s story

Amanda Huang

ATS DiT Committee Member

Amanda Huang

Amanda is a Lecturer in Swinburne University of Technology. Her research focused on digital twin for underground infrastructure by leveraging building information modelling, geological/geotechnical modelling, and field monitoring technologies. She has 5 years industry experience and has participated in consulting and project delivery services on several transport infrastructure.

Annalena Chapman

ATS QLD Chair

Annalena Chapman

Annalena is a civil engineer specializing in tunnelling, with extensive experience in waterproofing, injection, and asset preservation across major infrastructure projects in Australia. Her expertise spans materials, application methodologies, and project delivery during both design and construction phases.

Craig Hiscock

ATS MA Ambassador

Craig Hiscock

Craig has over 35 years of
experience in fire engineering,
protection, and safety, with deep
expertise in tunnel, building, and
structural fire safety. With a
constructor’s background,
designer’s perspective, and clientside
experience, he has led fire
safety and M&E design for major
infrastructure projects.

FAQ

1. How can I join the program?
You can express your interest by reaching out to ATSMentorAlliance@gmail.com at any time during the year
or completing our Expression of Interest (EOI) form during the application period. Once applications open at
the start of the new year, our team will review submissions and contact you with further details.

2. When does it commence?
EOI applications typically open in February–March each year. Exact dates will be
announced on the ATS website and through our LinkedIn updates.

3. Can I join if I don’t work in the tunnelling or geotechnical industry?
Yes. While the program is primarily designed for professionals and students in the tunnelling, geotechnical,
and related civil engineering fields, we also welcome applicants from other disciplines
who have a genuine interest in learning about the tunnelling industry and contributing to its community.

4. How long does the program run?
The Mentor Alliance runs for approximately six to eight months each year, from May to
December, including orientation and a series of Learning & Development Forums. As the
next mentoring cycle begins, you’re encouraged to wrap up your current mentorship or
catch up with your former mentor or mentee to reflect on your growth and maintain your
connection.

5. Can a mentee become a mentor?
Yes! Many participants return as mentors in future years. Mentors can be any age or
career stage—you just need professional experience and the willingness to guide others.

6. ATS Membership OR MA Program Fee
The program is free to join for ATS members and employees of our sponsor companies.
A $75 application fee applies to non-members. Alternatively, you can join ATS (students join for free).

For questions or enquiries please email our friendly team: ATSMentorAlliance@gmail.com