Why did you decide to become a mentor?

I decided to become a mentor because, throughout my career, I saw firsthand how isolating it can be to carve your own path, especially as a woman in tech. Mentorship wasn’t always available to me, and often I had to figure things out the hard way. Now, having worked with companies like GlaxoSmithKline, Farfetch, Santander, Miniclip, and now Fortis, and having led initiatives like +XP Sessions, I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned so others don’t have to start from scratch. Mentoring allows me to give back to the community that embraced me, and to pay forward the support and belief that I wish I’d received earlier. While most people think mentoring is just about giving advice, the reality is that, as a mentor, you’re actively helping others see their own strengths, challenge their limits, and navigate tough transitions—whether that’s switching fields, growing into leadership, or building their brand. Every mentorship shapes me as much as it shapes the mentee; it’s a two-way street of growth and inspiration.

How did you get your career start?

My career start was anything but linear. I was fortunate enough to land several jobs in journalism back when unemployment was a global issue—working in radio, digital newspapers, and covering everything from politics and sports to music. Sometimes I even moonlighted as a photojournalist, which gave me opportunities to cover Fashion Weeks across Europe and sparked my interest in art direction, leading me to pursue certification in this area. I then transitioned to communications and later to marketing (as in Portugal, those two departments were often combined), working in demanding industries such as insurance, finance, big pharma, fashion, and advertising, both in Portugal and abroad in Spain and the UK. After a period of freelance consulting, I made the leap into gaming with Miniclip and Doppio (and the startup life inspired me to take up an Executive MBA), before joining Fortis to focus on community development. Breaking into gaming wasn’t straightforward; few role models looked or sounded like me, and imposter syndrome was a real challenge. What helped me most was a willingness to jump at new opportunities, the courage to ask a lot of questions (even when it was uncomfortable), and the rare but invaluable mentorship from industry peers. One key lesson: the people around you matter as much as the work itself. I owe a lot to managers and mentors who gave honest feedback, challenged me, and championed my growth, which I now try to do for others.

What do mentees usually come to you for?

Mentees often come to me for guidance on career pivots, productivity, audience auditing, brand building (whether personal or for their work), and, crucially, for building confidence, especially in creative, marketing, or tech roles. Many are navigating early-career uncertainty or trying to transition into new industries and want to demystify the process. I’m a strong believer that career development and how to navigate it should be taught early on in schools, though I recognize that workplace contexts keep shifting rapidly. I like to work with each mentee to set clear, realistic goals. My approach is part structured (we set milestones and concrete steps), part sounding board, and always tailored to the individual. My goal is to empower mentees to take charge of their journey and recognize their own value, while also pushing back against the “hustle culture” mentality that society tries to impose on us all.

What's been your favourite mentorship success story so far?

One of my favourite mentorship stories is working with a mentee who was shifting industries and trying to find her leadership style while managing ADHD. She started out doubting her ability to lead, often feeling overwhelmed by ideas and self-criticism. When we began working together, she was juggling multiple ideas, sometimes feeling stuck or unsure how to prioritize her next steps. Together, we focused on creating structure: breaking down tasks, setting realistic goals, and providing structure to her thoughts so that they'd work for her, not against her. Over time, I saw her confidence grow. She began tackling projects at her new job with more clarity, advocated for herself with her manager, and became much more proactive in shaping her work environment. The most rewarding part for me has been seeing her recognize her strengths and develop strategies that play to them. That sense of empowerment is why I love mentoring.

What are you getting out of being a mentor?

Mentoring has made me a better leader, listener, and person. It also reminds me of how much I have actually learned throughout my career. Every mentee brings fresh perspectives and new challenges, and reminds me how important it is to keep learning and questioning myself, while also refreshing my memory about things I’ve long kept in the back of my mind. It keeps me connected to what’s changing in the industry and people’s lives, but also reassures me that my gut feelings are often backed by real knowledge and experience. Professionally, it sharpens my communication, empathy, active listening, problem-solving, and even my project management skills, since every mentorship is different. Personally, it’s a source of joy to know I can help someone unlock the next chapter in their career, or simply feel less alone in the process. Ultimately, mentorship reminds me why I chose community work after marketing: we rise by lifting others up.