Why did you decide to become a mentor?
As a mentor, I decided to take on this role because I am deeply passionate about helping others succeed and reach their full potential. Throughout my own journey, I have been fortunate to have had mentors who provided me with guidance, support, and wisdom, and I wanted to pay it forward. I believe that sharing knowledge, skills, and experiences with others can have a profound impact on their personal and professional growth. Being a mentor not only allows me to make a positive difference in someone else’s life, but it also enriches my own life by fostering meaningful connections, expanding my network, and honing my leadership and communication skills. Seeing my mentees thrive and achieve their goals brings me immense joy and fulfillment, and I am committed to empowering and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
How did you get your career start?
I consider myself a lucky kid as my both parents were teachers who knew about child education and psychology. My father was a mathematics teacher and my mother was a primary school teacher, who has been teaching to mentally disabled kids still, after her retirement. So, “Learning” & “Teaching” is in my DNA since early ages. I was known to be a very curious and perceptive and, at an early age, I have developed a firm interest to understand about human behaviour, find out why we do what we do. With the guidance and encouragements of to the great mentors I met during my journey, both from academic and professional world, I decided to move into marketing field that could give me an opportunity to to learn more and experiment for my passion of understanding & influencing behavior, in this instance, using brands!
What do mentees usually come to you for?
As a global brand director with over 13 years of experience at Unilever, mentees usually come to me for guidance on leadership & career development guidance as well as purpose-driven brand development, data-driven marketing, digital transformation, and sustainability. Drawing on my background in behavioral science, industrial engineering, graphic design, and neuroscience, mentees can expect a well-rounded mentorship experience!! I place a strong emphasis on brands acting as a force for good for people and the planet, which resonates with mentees seeking to incorporate sustainability and purpose into their brand strategies.
What’s been your favourite mentorship success story so far?
I was working with a young professional who lacked confidence in his abilities. He had recently been promoted to a leadership position but struggled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Through our mentorship, I focused on helping them recognize their strengths and unique qualities. We worked on building their confidence by setting achievable goals and celebrating their accomplishments along the way.
I encouraged him to play to their strengths and utilize their natural talents in their leadership role. We also worked on developing their communication skills, both with their team and other stakeholders. Over time, I witnessed a remarkable transformation in their leadership style. He became more assertive, collaborative, and skilled at navigating challenges.
What are you getting out of being a mentor?
Being a mentor is incredibly rewarding for me. It has improved my leadership skills, and expanded my network. Sharing my knowledge and expertise with others has reinforced my own understanding of my field, and connecting with diverse mentees has been great. It’s fulfilling to give back to my community and positively impact the lives of others while continuously learning and growing myself. For me, there is nothing more valuable than maximising collective human potential!