GEM SPOTLIGHT: Paul mendham, campaign director, World vision and FIA Conference chair
Gembridge is proud to spotlight Paul as Chair of the Program Committee for 2026 FIA Conference, aptly named Impact Amplified. Paul recently stepped into his current role as Campaign Director at World Vision through Gembridge and brings exceptional energy and commitment to connecting generosity with purpose.
This year’s conference will feature 9 Specialist Tracks over 3 days, 7 pre-Conference Masterclasses, and 3 Keynote Sessions. A huge thank you to Paul and all the volunteer committee who make this possible!
Now let us hear from Paul…
Image: Paul Mendham
What session are you most excited to attend at the FIA Conference in Melbourne and why?
That’s a tough one because the FIA Conference 2026 Program Committee has done an awesome job to compile a crackerjack line-up of nearly 60x specialist track sessions, plus 7x deep-dive Masterclasses, and on top of that 3x world-class Keynote Speakers. That said, I’d be most upset if I missed hearing from Matt Formston AM who is finishing off the Conference on a ‘can do’ high with the Syd Herron Oration. Matt’s an all-round action man; a world champion surfer, Paralympian, Guinness World Record holder, and subject of the film documentary The Blind Sea about him riding some of the world’s biggest waves – oh, and did I say that he’s blind?
What’s the best thing about your current role?
That’s an easier question to answer. I love getting to know the generous and loving donors who give their time and resources to support other people in need. And as of 3 months ago I now get to do that at World Vision, which does amazing work helping vulnerable children and others worldwide, in some very dangerous places. Hearing from our supporters about how their lives have been changed after visiting the work in the field is a constant encouragement.
What is your proudest accomplishment or career highlight?
2025 has been a great year for me; Chairing the FIA Conference 2026 Program Committee has been a delight – the Committee are dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate, and the team at FIA make it an easy role to enjoy – and starting as Campaign Director at World Vision is a colossal honour, with huge potential to make a difference to millions of children around the world.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Would ‘fake it til you make it’ count as career advice?! I don’t think I can point to a single piece of advice, but the heartfelt encouragement I’ve received along the way from so many people is what’s brought me to where I am today. Thank you to all of the encouragers out there, please keep doing what you’re doing as we can all do with more genuine encouragement…
What first inspired you to get into fundraising?
My former Director at Wesley Mission, Fran Avon, suggested I apply for a fundraising role and leave the comfort of the marketing position I’d started my not-for-profit career in. I have much to thank her for – thanks Fran.
What’s something surprising or little-known about you?
For those old enough to remember Johnny Wilkinson (yes, the kicker of that drop-goal for England in the 2003 Rugby World Cup), I played rugby with Johnny’s Dad!! I was a schoolboy playing in my Dad’s local rugby team in the holidays, and ‘big’ Phil Wilkinson was one of the team’s wise old heads in the pack. It is even possible Johnny watched me play rugby from the touchline many years before I watched him win the World Cup.
How do you unwind or recharge after a long week?
My wife Amanda and I love to head out in our kayaks to paddle around beautiful Sydney Harbour on a sunny Saturday morning. We can regularly be seen heading off from Clontarf on a round trip via a swim and a coffee/tea at Balmoral Beach. Sydney Harbour is a very special part of the world, and a long way away from the children World Vision’s loving donors support in the world’s trouble-spots.
If you could invite any three guests, living or from history, to dinner, who would they be, and what would you serve?
Since becoming a Christian more than 20-years ago, it would have to be Jesus. Who else came along wouldn’t really matter so much, but Nelson Mandela and HRH Queen Elizabeth II would be an interesting duo to join us. And as for what we’d eat, a few loaves and fishes might be appropriate. Oops, after mentioning my answer to this question to Amanda I’ll have to bump QEII and bring my wonderful wife along instead!