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Meet the Mentors
Our mentors are experienced guides dedicated to your success. They provide:
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As a learner, you can expect:
One-on-one guidance,
Cadenced check-ins, and
Strategic direction tailored to your goals.
Mentors help you navigate challenges, accelerate your progress, and build the skills and confidence you need to achieve your objectives.
Personalised support
Answers to relevant questions
Constructive Feedback
Learners are organised into groups of five before joining the program.
You will receive personalised guidance from your mentor group while also connecting with the broader academy community to share experiences with peers.
Brooke Rodger
Co-Chief Executive Officer Brooke has spent 20+ years in retail, helping Aussie brands go global and global brands grow in Australia. Think Boost Juice expanding internationally, and Adidas strengthening its Australian footprint — work that's taken her from Chile to Estonia to Kuwait, plus two years living in China. She loves being part of brand-led businesses, and has been mentored by some of the country's sharpest brand minds. Brooke is equally passionate about building A-grade, high-performing teams and sharpening their commercial nous to drive smarter, growth-focused decisions every day.
Jake Patane
General Manager Global Development Jake Patane is a senior growth leader with over 15 years of experience in operations scaling multi-site hospitality and retail businesses across Australia and internationally. As General Manager of Global Development at Yo-Chi, he builds the systems, teams, and playbooks that make expansion intentional and repeatable. His career spans across well-known brands such as Betty's Burgers and Doughnut Time, alongside consulting engagements with brands like Milky Lane. He's managed multi-million-dollar portfolios, led large high performing teams and driven international launches into markets from Singapore to the UK. Backed by degrees in Business Management and Psychology, Jake pairs commercial acumen with a passion for developing the next generation of high performing leaders and operators.
Jeremy O'Neill
General Manager of Operations Jeremy O’Neill is General Manager – Operations, leading Yo-Chi’s Operations, Supply Chain, and Facilities & Maintenance functions. With more than 15 years’ experience in operational leadership and business growth, he has built a strong track record supporting high-growth hospitality and retail brands. Since joining Yo-Chi in 2023, Jeremy has focused on driving operational excellence, developing high-performing teams, and strengthening systems and processes to support the brand’s rapid expansion. Prior to Yo-Chi, he held senior leadership roles with leading QSR brands including Chatime and Zambrero, bringing extensive experience in scaling operations while maintaining a strong guest and team focus.