Entrepreneur | Investor | Author | Speaker
Madeleine Hanger (Grummet) is an award‑winning entrepreneur, journalist, presenter and early‑stage startup investor with Australia’s leading venture firms. She has worked as a journalist, contributor and presenter across the ABC, ABC Radio National, Crikey, Channel Nine, Herald Sun, The Australian, News Corp, Women’s Agenda and other media outlets, covering current affairs, technology and politics with a sharp, human‑centred lens.
Mads is Co‑host of the Human Cogs podcast and the author of You Are Not Your Face (2022), and is currently deep in the writing of The Letterings of Loss (coming 2026). In 2023 she received Monash University’s Award for the Highest Achievement in the Master of Journalism, and also holds a Master of Entrepreneurship from the University of Melbourne. Mads received the University of Melbourne Leadership Award in 2020. READ MORE.
RAW HUMAN TRUTHS + REAL CONVERSATIONS
Human Cogs Podcast
Humans Cogs explores universal human truths, starts the candid conversations we need to have and brings you stories that matter. Co-hosted by journalist and entrepreneur Mads Hanger (Grummet) and leading psychologist Sabina Read, each episode features raw conversations with extraordinary guests who reveal what makes them tick. Guests include Grace Tame, Stan Grant, Don Watson, Ben Crowe, Zara McDonald, Lisa Leong, Tarang Chawla and many more. LISTEN NOW.
LEADERSHIP + STARTUPS + GENDER EQUITY + SOCIAL ISSUES
Journalist, Podcast Host, Presenter + Author
Mads’ professional, journalistic and high-energy style sees her regularly contribute to Australian radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, blogs and podcasts. Mads is also an in-demand moderator, speaker, host and media commentator on business, innovation, startups, angel and venture investment, gender equity and social issues. Her latest book is You Are Not Your Face – a book for girls, by girls. Mads completed a Monash University Master of Journalism in 2023, is a 2022 Startmate Media Fellow and has a University of Melbourne Master of Entrepreneurship (2016).
BUILDING TOMORROW’S GAME CHANGERS
Founder + CEO girledworld
Mads Cofounded and was CEO of girledworld (2016-2022) – an award-winning edtech startup transforming career education to catalyse the next generation of female entrepreneurs, CEOs and STEM champions. Girledworld engaged with 200+ education organisations and 40,000+ high school and tertiary aged students across Australia equipping, empowering and upskilling them for the future of work. Mads received the 2020 University of Melbourne Leadership Award for her founding leadership of girledworld.
UPSKILLING THE NEXT GEN FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK
Founder of Future Amp
Mads Cofounded Future Amp – a market-leading, career edtech platform for students featuring industry-backed enterprise skills micro-credentials, virtual work experience, 100+ interactive courses and data-driven backend analytics. Supported by David Gonski’s Future Minds Accelerator, Amazon Web Services, leading industry mentors and the University of Melbourne (InnovatEd), Future Amp assists high school and tertiary aged students to build a career and employability profile to help them successfully transition from education to employment.
LEADERSHIP – STARTUPS – FUTURE SKILLS – ENTREPRENEURSHIP – GENDER GAP
Mads in the Media
