To celebrate International Women’s Day, Zenith International launched its latest mentoring program: Empowering Female Leaders. This initiative offers a wealth of benefits, including guidance and support, networking opportunities, increased confidence, accountability, and personal growth. Designed to empower the future of the agency, our senior female leaders are matched with up-and-coming talent to help them grow their careers at Zenith. Mentees and mentors meet for 45 minutes at least once per month.
Below are two unique perspectives from both a mentor and a mentee:
Mentor: Elena Merzlyakova, Global Operations Lead, Business Transformation
What motivated you to become a mentor in the first place?
I have a mentor myself, which has significantly contributed to my personal growth, providing me with invaluable tools and techniques. This experience inspired me to share the knowledge I’ve gained and to help others on their journey of self-improvement.
What benefits did you personally experience from participating in the mentoring program?
I deeply enjoy learning and sharing my knowledge with others. Meeting fascinating individuals and witnessing their growth over time is an absolute pleasure and incredibly rewarding.
Can you share a specific example of a positive impact you made on your mentee?
Over the past several months, I’ve had the privilege of meeting monthly with a remarkable group of mentees. My aim has always been to offer guidance and support tailored to their unique needs and aspirations. I’m honoured to share some feedback from my mentees:
“Elena helped me to better understand different scope types that I had not previously had exposure to and how commercials work for a global account – both of which are useful for me to learn, as a client services leader. I also navigated a promotion and took on a new direct report during our time together, and Elena offered helpful advice and questions to ask as I stepped into these new roles.” – VP Client Partner, Austin
“She significantly boosted my confidence, especially when I expressed concerns about my demeanour, and she encouraged me to embrace my authentic self—a true game-changer. Additionally, Elena helped me focus on business priorities, steering me away from getting bogged down by everyday minor challenges.” – Global Operations Manager & Platforms and Governance, Barcelona
“Beyond forming a personal connection, it was invaluable to have Elena’s undivided attention for 30 minutes each month to discuss new approaches to the problems I was working on. Her perspective significantly enhanced my ability to craft effective solutions.” – VP Talent, Engagement & Inclusion, Chicago
Through these mentoring relationships, I’ve seen firsthand the power of personalised guidance and the positive impact it can have on professional growth. It’s been an honour to mentor such talented individuals and witness their achievements. Their success stories are a testament to the value of our mentorship program, which I proudly recommend to colleagues seeking similar growth and development.
How did mentoring contribute to your own professional growth and development?
I am very receptive to new ideas and highly value people’s differences. My hiring approach has evolved significantly; now, when I hire, I prioritise the unique qualities candidates bring rather than simply ensuring they meet every item on the job description.
What advice would you give to new mentors joining the program?
Listen to your mentees and help them discover their own potential. Our industry often focuses on job descriptions and box-ticking, but let’s nurture the next generation to recognize and hire talent in a more holistic way.
Mentee: Jessica Andrea, Executive
What inspired you to participate in the mentoring program?
Participating in a mentorship program can offer numerous benefits, both for mentors and mentees. As a mentee, it was an opportunity for me to grow my confidence from receiving validation and encouragement, and it gave me the chance to access valuable networks and connections within my industry.
How did having a mentor influence your professional journey?
I believe it helps in a variety of ways – from receiving guidance and direction based on their own experiences to helping me navigate challenges and making me hold myself accountable for my own success.
Can you describe a significant lesson or skill you gained from your mentor?
I love this quote: “When you feel like you’ve learned it all and have gotten comfortable, that’s when you need to go and take on a new skill that scares you.”
In what ways did the mentoring relationship support your career aspirations?
It made me realise that being successful is just an arm’s reach away. For example, the client leads that I look up to didn’t get there by magic; it’s because they worked hard and put their all into being the best version of themselves. Mentoring has allowed me to understand the steps they took and the setbacks I can expect to inevitably succeed.
What makes for a successful mentoring program?
A mentoring program should have clear and well-defined objectives that align with the goals of both mentors and mentees. What does the mentee want to achieve? Are the goals being set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely)? Another important success factor is establishing feedback mechanisms that allow mentors to provide input on their mentoring experience and suggest areas for improvement.
