Solange (Sol) Mardones is the Chief Growth Officer at Smiling Mind, where she leads growth, engagement and sustainability across brand, partnerships, fundraising and communications. As a member of the executive leadership team, she plays a key role in shaping and delivering the organisation’s strategic direction through collaborative leadership across strategy, governance, people and culture, and resource management.

Sol has over 20 years’ experience across marketing and communications, strategic planning, fundraising and business development, with a career spanning the not-for-profit, education and social enterprise sectors. She is known for her consultative leadership style, strong strategic thinking, and ability to translate purpose into clear priorities and action.

At Smiling Mind, Sol has led the organisation’s rebrand, strengthened its approach to advocacy, stakeholder and public engagement, and driven a shift toward diversified and sustainable income streams. Sol’s career has focussed on building strong partnerships, embedding insight-led decision making, and ensuring growth strategies deliver measurable outcomes and long-term impact for people and communities, including those affected by dementia and discrimination, family violence, barriers to education, and, most recently, children and families.

Prior to Smiling Mind, Sol held senior leadership roles at Dementia Australia and Victoria University Polytechnic, where she led large-scale marketing and engagement strategies, supported organisational transformation, and delivered growth through digital-led, insight-driven approaches.

Sol has also served as a Board Director at GenWest (Women’s Health West), contributing to governance, risk and organisational strategy. She thrives in values-led environments and is passionate about building psychologically safe teams, mentoring emerging leaders, and designing systems and strategies that support both social impact and long-term sustainability.