Gabriela Borutová has spent over a decade in tech, but what drives her as a Femme Palette mentor has little to do with technical skills. In this spotlight, she shares why she said yes to mentoring, how our upbringing as women shapes the way we see ourselves across every generation, and why professional growth is so often less about learning something new and more about finally being heard. Plus her advice for mentors who want to go beyond giving advice and start creating real, lasting change.
Barcelona has a vibrant and international professional community, and mentoring is one of the most effective ways to find your place in it. Whether you are navigating a career change, stepping into leadership, or simply looking for people who get what you are going through, the right platform can make all the difference. If you are looking for structure, genuine connection, and a community that goes beyond Barcelona, explore Femme Palette's mentoring program and the Barcelona community.
Berlin has a strong and international professional community, and mentoring is one of the most effective ways to tap into it. Whether you are navigating a career transition, stepping into leadership, or building your own business, the right platform can make a real difference. If you are looking for structure, genuine connection, and a community that goes beyond Berlin, explore Femme Palette's mentoring program and the Berlin community.
Welcome to our Mentee Spotlight of Femme Palette, where we share inspiring growth journeys from women in our mentoring program. In this interview, we meet Aleksandra Bratek, UX & UI Designer at Tietoevry and a graduate of Interaction Design from the Architecture and Design School in Oslo. Originally from Poland and now based in Norway, Aleksandra joined the Femme Palette mentoring program at a pivotal moment - leading teams as a junior designer while navigating imposter syndrome, rising expectations, and the growing pressure to connect design with business impact.
The end of the year has a certain quiet power. Christmas lights soften busy streets, inboxes slow down, and many of us finally pause long enough to ask an important question: Where am I actually heading in my career?
Amsterdam is often celebrated for its canals, bikes, and coffee culture, but beneath that aesthetic is something equally compelling: a city full of ambition. With international companies, startups, research institutions, and creative industries, it attracts people who want to build meaningful careers. Yet for many women working here, locals and internationals alike, the reality can feel complex. We arrive expecting connection, clarity, and direction, only to discover the opposite: professional transitions, cultural differences, and uncertainty about how to grow or who to turn to. That’s where mentoring and community become more than “nice to have.” They become tools for navigating a global city in a grounded way.
Olga Maximova has built a career in international diplomacy and crisis management, and after nearly a decade she shifted into mission-driven work, helping organizations secure sustainable funding and guiding women to grow with confidence and self-trust. As she says, “I don’t measure success only in money raised, I measure how confident my clients become, how boldly they can articulate their value, and how they grow as leaders.” Today, as a longtime mentor at Femme Palette, Olga supports women in defining their own meaningful version of life and leadership, grounded in self-sufficiency, resilience, and community.
Setting clear goals is one of the most important steps in making mentoring effective. Goals provide direction, make progress visible, and help both the mentee and mentor stay aligned. Yet, many people enter their first mentoring relationship unsure what to focus on or how to articulate what they need. This guide outlines how to set meaningful mentoring goals and includes 12 concrete examples tailored to different stages of your career. Whether you are just starting out, navigating a transition, or developing as a leader, these examples can help you define direction and get the most from mentoring.
In today’s competitive job market, companies are searching for innovative ways to develop leaders, retain talent, and improve employee engagement. One proven method is implementing a mentoring program for companies that connects employees with external experts. At Femme Palette, we’ve helped organizations like Tipsport, SThree, Mews, and Bonami design structured corporate mentoring programs that deliver measurable results in leadership growth, productivity, and employee satisfaction.
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