Australian softball representative and Minerva athlete Nicole Connacher has learned that success doesn't have to be limited to one arena. From making her debut for the Aussie Spirit to launching her professional career with Aurecon, Nicole's journey has been shaped by hard work, balance and the guidance of her Minerva mentor, Lee Brentzell.
What stood out to me immediately was Lee's composure while successfully managing so many aspects of her life at once. She balances an impressive professional career, competes at an elite level in mountain biking, and has a family, all while remaining grounded and focused.
Learning her story made me realise that it is possible to pursue multiple ambitions at a high level, and that's something I aspire to do myself.
When we began working together, I was in my second-last year of university and still working towards my first Australian squad selection. At that point, I was uncertain about what direction I wanted to take after graduating and wasn't sure how my sporting goals and professional career would fit together.
Since then, I've debuted for the Aussie Spirit Australian Women's Softball Team, representing Australia against Chinese Taipei, Japan and New Zealand. I also graduated with a Bachelor of Mathematics and Commerce and commenced a graduate role with Aurecon.
I'm grateful to work in an environment that strongly supports my training schedule while allowing me to develop my professional career at the same time.
One piece of guidance that has really stayed with me is the importance of recognising the value of the soft skills developed through sport.
Lee helped me understand that skills like communication, resilience, teamwork and leadership are highly transferable and just as important as technical qualifications in building a successful career.
It completely reframed the way I see my sporting experiences– not as separate from my career, but as a foundation for it.
Lee's support made a real difference when I was applying for graduate roles during my final year of study.
She reviewed my resume and LinkedIn profile and helped me clearly communicate the value of my experience as an elite athlete. She also connected me with professionals in the actuarial and data analytics space, which was an area I wanted to learn more about as a mathematics student.
Those introductions expanded my network and boosted my confidence entering interviews because I was able to discuss my interests and ask more impactful questions.
I feel incredibly lucky to have had Lee as my mentor.
Minerva was actually the reason I first learnt about Aurecon and decided to apply.
I attended Minerva's 2024 end-of-year event at the Aurecon office, which showed me that they were a genuine supporter of women's sport. Around the same time, I saw through Minerva's communications that Aurecon was hiring for its graduate program.
I applied, noted Minerva in my application and felt the Asset Management stream aligned strongly with my degree. I also had a really positive interview experience, so Aurecon ticked all the boxes for a company I'd like to work with.
Since starting, they've been incredibly supportive of my elite athlete commitments. They're happy to accommodate my competition leave, and the office is only five minutes from where I train.
The graduate program has been fantastic so far and I've been learning so much.
Having a mentor has shown me that it is possible to develop both a sporting and professional career simultaneously, which is especially important in an athlete-funded sport like softball.
Lee's support has shaped how I make decisions with a longer-term view, prioritising balance, wellbeing and sustainability alongside ambition in both sport and career.
I would strongly encourage them to take the opportunity, even if they don't feel like they have everything figured out yet.
The Minerva mentorship program provides guidance, perspective and support at a time when many athletes are balancing uncertainty around multiple commitments. Having someone who understands the demands of high performance while also navigating professional life is invaluable, especially when you can explore questions beyond sport.
Progress is often stronger when it's shared, and Minerva creates the kind of community that turns individual ambition into collective growth.
"Minerva has played such an important role in my athletic and academic career so far, and I'm incredibly grateful. It's shown me that I don't have to choose between being an athlete and building a career – I can pursue both."
Nicole’s Minerva mentor Lee Brentzell reflects on the qualities that stood out throughout the mentoring experience.
Mentoring Nicole has been a genuinely rewarding experience. But more than that, it has left me in awe of what she has been able to achieve at such a young age. Her work ethic is exceptional and immediately apparent to those who know her. Yet she remains a quiet achiever who prefers to let her actions and results speak for themselves. She demonstrates a level of maturity, self-awareness and professionalism that is well beyond her years.
What stands out most is Nicole's curiosity and passion to learn. She actively seeks opportunities to broaden her horizons, whether through meeting new people, exploring different career pathways, or undertaking a variety of internships to better understand where her strengths and interests lie. She approaches these opportunities with fearlessness, energy and enthusiasm, embracing challenges that many people much later in their careers would hesitate to pursue.
Her passion for excellence is evident across all aspects of her life. She is committed to succeeding academically, gaining practical workplace experience, and continuing to develop and excel as an athlete. Her selection in the Australian softball team reflects not only her talent but also the dedication, discipline and resilience she brings to everything she does. The fact that she is competing alongside and being recognised by athletes well beyond her age group speaks volumes about her ability and character.
One of the unexpected benefits of mentoring Nicole has been the reminder of the power of professional networks and the generosity of people willing to support emerging talent. While her chosen profession was outside my area of expertise, I was incredibly grateful for the time, guidance and invaluable advice that many of my connections willingly provided to her. Watching Nicole engage with these individuals, ask thoughtful questions and make the most of every opportunity reinforced my belief that success is often accelerated by curiosity, relationships and a willingness to learn.
"Nicole's sporting and professional careers are just starting and I am looking forward to following her success on and off the pitch as she has a very bright future ahead of her."
