Mentoring Program Testimonial

Three years of partnership creating meaningful mentoring outcomes

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) partnered with Next Level Mentoring to design and deliver a structured mentoring program that develops leadership capability, fosters collaboration, and supports staff engagement across the organisation.

From the outset, Darren McFarlane’s tailored and structured approach stood out. Built on proven frameworks that are simple, sustainable, and effective, the program was adapted specifically to suit the needs of a large public sector organisation.

Darren’s credibility and expertise as an external mentoring specialist added immediate value, helping to build trust and momentum among participants. His leadership background across multiple industries brought depth and perspective, while his facilitation style created a safe, engaging, and practical learning environment.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting Darren’s ability to provide clear guidance, real-world insight, and a supportive atmosphere that encouraged growth and collaboration.

As a result, the program has delivered measurable benefits for DWER, including:

• Enhanced leadership and communication skills among staff
• Stronger engagement, retention, and sense of belonging
• Increased collaboration and cross-team knowledge sharing

The decision to engage an external expert proved essential in ensuring objectivity, confidentiality, and specialised expertise, allowing the program to achieve outcomes beyond what internal resources alone could deliver. 

Manager of Talent & Culture, Michelle Raymond has championed the program from the beginning and said she is proud to see how the program has grown.

“A huge thank you to Darren McFarlane and Next Level Mentoring for delivering such an outstanding program for us at DWER.

Over the past three years, we’ve seen incredible growth—not only in participation but in impact. Both mentors and mentees are realising tangible benefits: building confidence, expanding networks, and developing leadership capability.

The inclusion of our Executive team has taken the program to new heights, reinforcing a culture of learning and collaboration that strengthens our organisation for the future.”

Odette Jacobs, Team Leader of Talent & Culture and owner of the mentoring program said:

“Working with Darren and Next Level Mentoring over the past three years has been a genuinely rewarding experience. Darren brings a rare combination of structure, empathy, and deep expertise in leadership development. His mentoring approach is not only practical and engaging but also deeply aligned with our values at DWER.

The program has helped our people grow in confidence, build meaningful professional relationships, and develop leadership capabilities that are already making a difference across the organisation.”

Testimonial November 2025