Who is Who
Mona Lolas is a customer-led strategy and performance executive with more than 25 years in APAC’s technology sector. Known for her leadership in GTM strategy, partnerships, and ecosystem growth, she empowers organizations through transformation, mentorship, and values-driven leadership across global markets.
A Journey Defined by Connection, Courage, and Purpose
There are leaders who shape markets, and then there are leaders who shape people. For Mona Lolas, the defining moments of her career have never been about titles or milestones. They have been about the people she empowered, the teams she elevated, and the communities she helped grow across the Asia-Pacific technology landscape. Her path has been driven by a belief in shared success, the value of strong partnerships, and the conviction that every opportunity to lead is also an opportunity to help someone else rise.
Colleagues often recall how Mona showed up with energy that inspired movement. One former teammate described her as “one of the most energetic, positive, and dynamic colleagues I have worked with” because she consistently delivered results while elevating those around her. That combination of excellence and empathy has shaped her leadership philosophy from the earliest days of her career.
Professional Journey
Strategic Leadership Rooted in Experience
With more than 25 years of experience in Sales, Marketing, and Consulting, Mona has built a reputation as a high-impact leader across APAC’s technology sector. Today, she is a Customer-Led Strategy and Performance Executive known for helping organizations translate global strategy into meaningful local execution. Her career spans enterprise, midmarket, and SMB environments, where she has consistently driven transformation and double-digit growth.
Her colleagues across multiple organizations describe her with striking consistency. One senior leader noted how “her straightforward approach to work is refreshing, and she leads by example with integrity”. Another emphasized her rare combination of clarity, humility, and strategic insight, sharing that she is “the perfect blend of brilliance, pragmatism, and friendliness”. These voices reflect the qualities that have fueled her success in complex and fast-changing markets.
Entrepreneurial Ventures and Advisory Work
Mona’s entrepreneurial spirit took center stage when she established Growth Makers Group, where she serves as Founder and Managing Director. Through this advisory practice, she works with organizations that want to accelerate revenue, transform partnerships, and build more customer-driven growth engines.
She also spent nearly two years as a Principal Advisor at PartnerReady, supporting technology companies through fractional partnership leadership. Her work helped emerging and established organizations design partner strategies that strengthened ecosystems and converted collaboration into measurable business value.
Leadership in High-Impact Networks
As a Board Director at ICON APAC, Mona plays an active role in supporting one of the region’s most diverse B2B professional networks. Her leadership centers on connecting people, strengthening communities, and creating environments where professionals can learn, grow, and collaborate. Peers frequently highlight her ability to bring people together in meaningful ways, with one describing her as “a phenomenal connector who makes meaningful connections for people.”
This commitment to community is also reflected in her volunteer interests across human rights, education, child welfare, environmental sustainability, science, and technology. For Mona, leadership extends far beyond organizational impact; it is about contributing to progress across society.
Global Leadership at Forrester and Other Major Technology Firms
Across her senior roles at Forrester, Autodesk, Optus, Symantec, IBM, and Gartner, Mona’s leadership has been defined by her ability to navigate complexity, build collaborative cultures, and deliver results. During her time at Forrester, she led diverse teams across Australia, Southeast Asia, and India, supported global GTM initiatives, and contributed to the company’s Diversity and Inclusion Council.
Colleagues consistently describe her presence as transformative. One senior executive shared that “she set clear strategic direction for the team while equipping people to be as successful as possible”. Another highlighted her skill in creating trust, noting how she had a unique ability to turn strategy into action while keeping teams grounded and motivated.
Her experience leading go-to-market strategy, customer experience transformation, and partner ecosystems allows her to take on complex challenges with clarity and creativity. Former peers often mention how she can shift seamlessly from big-picture planning to tactical execution, ensuring momentum never stalls.
Industry Recognition and Thought Leadership
Mona’s contributions to her field have earned recognition from across the technology and marketing landscape. Highlights include:
- Revenue Marketing Alliance Ones to Watch 2023
- Finalist in the ARN Women in ICT Awards
- Contributor to global workshops, partner ecosystem forums, and executive-level events
- Frequent speaker and mentor supporting women in STEM and emerging leaders across APAC
Her influence is also evident in the professionals she has shaped over the years. Many who once reported to her credit Mona for accelerating their careers, with one colleague sharing: “She built a marketing team in a short time and positioned our value to senior leadership. I learned a lot from her”.
Educational Foundation
Mona holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Mass Communications from Macquarie University. Her early involvement in the university’s Drama Society reinforced her love for communication, storytelling, and creative expression, all of which play a central role in her leadership style today.
A Leadership Philosophy Shaped by People
Mona’s approach to leadership is grounded in empathy and connection. She is known for making people feel heard, supported, and capable of more than they believed possible. Whether guiding a team through a major transformation or helping a founder navigate a critical decision, she leads with clarity, encouragement, and unwavering commitment.
Throughout her career, she has been praised for her depth of experience and her ability to remain steady in complex environments. One former teammate summed up her impact by saying, “she truly cares about her team, her colleagues, and the partners she serves.”
Editorial Notes
Mona Lolas continues to be a driving force across APAC’s technology ecosystem. Her journey from global technology organizations to entrepreneurial ventures reflects her belief in purposeful leadership, customer-led innovation, and the power of partnerships. She has built teams, shaped markets, and strengthened professional communities while serving as an advocate for inclusion and a mentor for emerging leaders. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and a lifelong commitment to elevating others.
