Equaliser Mentorship Program powered by Morgan Stanley

Equaliser Foundation (Egyenlítő Alapítvány) is working to support women to get into leadership positions, announced its first mentoring program with the name #insteadofflowers during its annual Women’s Day Conference in 2022.  Graduates and university students got the opportunity meet at least once with experienced female role models who are members or part of the Foundation’s network. 40 mentor-mentee couples had inspirational meetings, shared their knowledge and built networks.

Based on this positive experience we decided to start a well-established mentor program in 2023. A program where mentors and mentees work together during a period of time, towards a specific mentoring objective.

Hungary has one of the lowest levels of female representation in company leadership roles in the EU with 10.5% compared to 31.6% EU average (EIGE, 2022) and our mission is to help strengthen our position through a new mentorship programme. In order to drive change it is important for those organisations based in Hungary, who are dedicated to gender equality, to collaborate and support female talent to become leaders.

To make this happen, we are aiming to connect 50 mentors with mentees and build a platform where shared experiences, knowledge and networks will help to develop the next cohort of female leaders in Hungary. Equaliser will be there every step of the way, providing the guidance and framework to ensure the mentoring program is a success for everyone participating.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Mentees

In 2023 we aim to involve female talent in the program, who

  • work at organisations in Hungary, where gender equality is a priority,
  • are participating in talent programmes or leadership programmes of their companies,
  • already have a few years of work experience ,
  • have a certain professional topic where mentoring could help them to progress further.

Mentors

Similarly to the last year’s initiative, we count on the experienced members of the Equaliser Foundation as mentors and we believe in their dedication to contribute to the development of the next generations. We also happily accept mentor applications from the leaders of the partnering corporations to have mentees from different organisations.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

  • 8 month long mentoring process with 6 meetings
  • Experienced mentors who will receive help from the Foundation to prepare for the mentoring
  • mentoring is available in Hungarian and English languages
  • guide for mentors and mentees
  • in person opening and closing events with workshops and opportunities to build networks
  • online consulting occasions to learn and resolve potential barriers
  • opportunities to attend on some events organised by the Equaliser Foundation

DEADLINE: April 11, 2023 6PM

OUR MENTORS

Gabriella Alexi, Business Area Manager – Sigma Technology Magyarország Kft.

I joined Sigma Technology in 2022, where I started as a technical writer and after some years had the possibility to try myself in the area of line management as well with technical writer, graphic designer and software developer teams. In my current role as the Product Information business area manager, I am responsible for managing our product information portfolio and also for client management. Partnering with universities is another focus area, as well as seeking opportunities for professional development of our colleagues. I believe it is very important to support juniors, especially young women in the IT area, so I am very happy to have this mentoring possibility.

Erzsébet Antal dr., CEO – Profirent

many years proven experience in several fields – financial, management – with different ownership structure ( munltinational, venture capital etc.)

Mentoring is a special realationship, where I can give other aspects , which could help to another person, using my life and work experience, I am happy to do that.

Kornélia Antóny, OD Specialist, Coach, Master Trainer, Economic Psychology Expert

I have been working as an OD and HR strategist since 1996. As a business, one of my main profiles is finding operational hitches and diagnosing the problems that obstruct effectivity in workflow. As a result, I present strategies to my clients on how to do better in their business and make them see alternatives for optimal operation or find a way to boost their activities to achieve their goals.

Personal development has become my main focus in the past few years. As a trainer and coach, I have created several developmental tools, systems and methodologies, and even held seminars in civil and professional environments.

In 2022 I launched a self-developmental card deck called KÉRDEZŐ. It is available on the Hungarian market and has become a massive role player at my seminars as an effective tool.

My Irish-based company, NewDoor Apps International, aims to create a self-reflecting and self-development mobile app to appeal to the international user market.

Eszter Árvai, founder – Esterest Consulting

I am Eszter Árvai; I work in the field of leadership and organisational development. In addition to senior management consulting, I am also happy to mentor less experienced leaders who need more guidance, advice, regular feedback or even good practices. In addition to the professional area, as a woman and a mother of two young children, I have experienced myself the challenges of being a female leader in a large organisation, so mentoring and supporting female leaders is a matter close to my heart. Mental health and assertiveness are particularly important to me because a woman has to cope with so many roles at once, often in unsupportive environments, and in my experience, this requires increased attention and support. As a mentor, I support my mentees not only professionally but also personally, depending on the task; through active listening, experience and a positive attitude, I help them to see their potential and stand up for themselves. I myself learn a lot from my mentees, and every success story is a shared joy.

Ildikó Balázs, Head of Corporate Affairs – Auchan Magyarország Kft.

I’am a senior communications, retail expert with over 25 years of experience ideating, executing and launching to achieve business goals. Auchan Hungary team member as corporate affairs director, who help to find and keep good relations around the company. My personal mission is to support the young leaders of the future.

Péter Baráth, Regional marketing and partnership director – WWF Central and Eastern Europe

Peter Barath has great experience in the fields of brand marketing and corporate communication in various levels both at agency and at the advertiser side. He had gained various executive and leadership experiences at top-level company management as well as at the public administration and NGO sector. As a professional he loves brands with a great purpose and prefers leaders with a clear vision. Peter joined the WWF Central and Eastern Europe team in 2020 with more than 25 years of professional experience in the area of marketing, public relations, brand strategy, advertising and digital solutions. One of his current main responsibilities is working with the private sector in genuine partnerships to help tackle the multi-dimensional problems facing our natural environment today. By taking on the mentoring role, I want to help young professionals that regardless of their gender develop and progress in their professional careers.

Emese Békéssy, chairman of the board of trustees – Női Váltó Alapítvány

My current mission, via Női Váltó (“Women in Change”) Foundation, is to help empower women to succeed and live their best lives. Women supporting women is a major part of how we can achieve this. Previously, I worked for over 25 years at multinational companies in Hungary, Belgium, Luxembourg and England. I started out as a legal advisor at PwC, then moved into general counsel roles in the aviation sector, which is traditionally male-dominated industry – air cargo in particular. It was there that I was appointed as an executive responsible for HR, Legal and Compliance – and thus became the first-ever female executive committee member in the 50-year history of the company. There and then I experienced how breaking the glass ceiling within such a company can have a huge positive impact on female colleagues. I had always happily advised younger colleagues when they asked for my counsel, but in my exec role I felt a stronger moral imperative to mentor younger colleagues more regularly. I can say that I truly enjoyed these conversations. I have found them mutually inspiring and it always gave me great pleasure to hear about their successes. It took me a while to find my own voice and authentic leadership style. It took me a while to believe that I am good enough and I deserve to be where I am. I would like to share my experience and my journey to help younger women find their own paths and navigate it more easily. I also believe in the value of reverse mentoring and lifelong learning and I look forward to a mutually enriching mentoring experience.

Bíró Ágota, People and Strategy Director – Emarsys is a part of SAP

Emberekkel, vezetőkkel, szervezetekkel foglalkozom, ez a szenvedélyem. Sokáig azt gondoltam, hogy támogatni tudom jól a vezetőket, coachként, trénerként. De aztán elhittem, hogy vezetőként is megállom a helyem és nagyon nagy szerencsém volt mindezt egy növekedési fázisban lévő tech sturtupnál kipróbálni.

Az elmúlt hat évben a HR minden területére rá kellett látnom, nagyon sok kihívással meg kellett küzdenem és folyamatosan tanulni kellett azzhoz, hogy megbirkózzunk a nehézségekkel. Csapatjátékos vagyok, nem egóból vezetek, és nem veszem túl komolyan a dolgokat. Ez is csak egy játék.

Ebbe a programba azért jelentkeztem, mert eddig és ezután is kiemelt feladatomnak érzem, hogy támogassam a fiatal nőket abban, hogy elhiggyék, minden lehetséges.

Krisztina Bogdán, Corporate Board member – Commerzbank Zrt.

I studied economics and have bachelor and master degrees in Foreign Trade, Finance and Banking. Currently I work as consultant for a British Investment Company . I have been worked for more than 25 years in several manager and executive positions. I have started my career in OTP’s Treasury department, after that joined to Hypovereinsbank for the Corporate Banking division and had several leader positions. After the birth of my 2. child I have joined to Commerzbank Group, where spent a few years in Corporate Banking then I implemented the business modell for Cash Management and International Business what I lead as Managing Director. In 2011 I have was promoted to the Country Manager position at Commerzbank in Czech Republic. After my return to Hungary I became Corporate Board Member with responsibility for all business divisions. Until the end of the sale and migration project of Commerzbank Art. I have had this position. Besides my experience in Commercial Bank I am certified coach and action learning team coach. Reg. my motivation for mentoring: I am confident, that besides coaching the mentoring is the best method for developing of future’s leaders. Leader’s Experience can be acquired during several years. I believe that with mentoring time, efforts and money can be saved and leadership programs can benefit of it.

Andrea Bujdosó

Andrea Bujdosó, executive advisor & coach

I consider it my mission to promote equal opportunities in society, including the promotion of women in leadership positions. Mentoring is one of the most important ways to achieve this. With my experience and knowledge, I hope to be able to show women ways that will make them more fulfilled and happier in their careers.

Cecília Csányi, Director of HR Strategy and Service Centers – Danubius Hotels

I deeply believe in equal opportunities and my goal is to break through the glass ceiling. After my children’s birth, I changed from Finance to HR, so I know how it feels to change professional career, face difficulties, and experience success. As a result, my goal is to support mothers and reintegrate them into work, while creating a work-life balance.

Zsuzsa Czagler, Managing Director, Motivation mapping expert and accreditation trainer – VIP Coaching Center Kft.

Happier, more motivated people = bigger performance = Better world. It is possible to have them all at the same time. I develop people, leaders, teams to find their motivation and their reason in their job, and to get to their full self-realization and full performance, contributing their maximum potential to the world. – over 20 years multinational experience, working in regional, global, & matrix coordination set-ups – 16 years top manager experience, with companies in crisis situation or in start up phase and turning them to profitable, successful and respected companies

Réka Dézsi, owner – Dolce Vita 4D Kft.

I am Réka Dézsi, mother, supporter, coach and trainer. Years ago, the atmosphere in the delivery room “infected” me, triggered changes in my system that changed my beliefs, my world view, my life, my way of thinking, my mindset. Over the years, I have moved from the duality of judgement to the power of neutrality, breaking down my own taboos, examining the ones in the society . I developped a methodology to help those who come to me, whether they are in a personal or business stalemate. In the meantime, my babies are slowly crossing the magic threshold of adulthood and I feel I can now help others in my time freed up. I believe deeply and viscerally in equality between people, in freedom, acceptance, non-expectation and cooperation. I want to be part of the process of helping women’s self-worth to its rightful place. Thank you for the opportunity.

Andrea Dintsér, head of the Women’s Leadership Club of the Hungarian Business Leaders’ Association (MVÜK)

Strengthening the position, proportion and recognition of women and female leaders and supporting their development is my passion. I believe in the constructive power of the mentoring process. I constantly mentor and I also work with a mentor as a mentee – inverse bermuda triangle: we don’t sink, we rise ;) There was no question that I would apply to be a mentor.

I am the head of the Women’s Leadership Club of the Hungarian Business Leaders’ Association (MVÜK), and the founder and managing director of YourStory.hu integrated marketing and communications agency.

After having spent decades in various leadership roles in multinational companies, lately as a regional director, the world of SMEs and innovative startups with outstanding development potential has also captivated me. I have over 20 years of leadership and professional experience in management, marketing, communications and knowledge management.

Daria Dodonova, Chief Financial Officer – Magyar Telekom

I have more than 20 years of professional and managerial experience in the area of finance. I joined Magyar Telekom in March 2020 as Chief Financial Officer from Deutsche Telekom’s finance leadership team Europe. I believe that the financial and digital world are constantly changing and that this transformation requires us to look at ourselves and our operation from a new, forward-looking perspective. Under my leadership a Future of Finance program was launched in 2020 across Magyar Telekom’s finance function, with the aim to take finance to a new level in order to respond more effectively and quickly to changes and the needs of internal and external customers by providing new knowledge and up-to-date solutions. I am convinced that diversity is a business advantage and is happy to mentor young talents.

Henrietta Dolányi – Snacking Activation Manager

I’ve worked in FMCG sectror for 23 years. 6 years ago I started supporting collegues as mentor, many of them juniors. Success means to help them on their journey borh professionally and privately. Strong positive feedback for me that more and more collegues choose me as mentor, it’s valuable for them what I believe in as professional and people manager.

Katalin Erdei, Global HR Director – Richter Gedeon Plc

With more than 20 years experience in the field of HR I worked in international companies like Győri Keksz Ltd (Danone), Ferrero and Mars in local and European roles. I landed in 2018 at Richter to lead its global HR activities. Both D&I and mentoring are close to my heart since they open up opportunities to make a difference.

Judit Gál, communications specialist

Seasoned corporate and marketing communications expert. Motivated and inspirational leader, who built-up and led efficient marketing&comms teams. Creative, business-focused, strategic thinker with a can-do attitude, who implements projects pragmatically. In-depth knowledge of traditional and new media, extended media relations, highly-skilled spokesperson. Experienced in several sectors, such as tourism, retail, FMCG, financial, medical, energy and IT.

Sejla Gubucz-Pálfalvi, CEO – Pálfalvi Centrum Kft.

I graduated in 2007 from Kingston University in London, UK. My major was in Criminology and the focus of my studies was on recovery and rehabilitation opportunities of individuals addicted to alcohol and drugs. I obtained my professional qualification as an Addiction Counsellor at Semmelweis University, Budapest, and Reflective Recovery & Recovery Specialist at University of Pécs. I also work as a family therapist, I have studied Mental Health-Oriented Family Studies at Semmelweis University. 

I am currently a PhD student at Semmelweis University’s Doctoral School of Mental Health Sciences. I am the president of the National Association of Addiction Consultants since 2019. I am the founder and CEO of  Pálfalvi Centrum Mental Health Clinic. It is important for me to be able to pass on my acquired experience and knowledge. 

Zsanett Hegedűsné Szendy, People & Culture Director – Coca Cola HBC

During my carer of 20+ years, I had the privilege to work with a number of highly talented young professionals, these occasions were great sources of inspiration for me also. Over the last years, the importance of diversity and the unique challenges of females became my specific area of interest, some of these challenges I also met during my career. I am delighted to share my experiences, gained in complex multinational competitive environment, to support my mentees’ journey.

Andrea Illés, Head of People Experience Europe – Nokia

I am an experienced human resources professional with a passion for creating inclusive and diverse workplaces that foster collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. As the Head of People Experience Europe, I am leading the Europe People Team in 42 countries where we are responsible for delivering employee experience for 38. 000 employees. Besides the day to day HR activities with my team we are developing and executing human resources initiatives that align with the company’s objectives and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. I have strong expertise in talent management, organizational development, cultural transformation, HR delivery and employee engagement and I regularly use coaching and mentoring to empower colleagues to reach their full potential. As a Ieader I am committed to help my environment with my knowledge and experience, and I am passionate to drive positive change in and outside the workplace.

Orsolya Iványi, owner – Éljenek a 40 feletti nők / Második Tavasz Alapítvány

Communications consultant, community builder, menopause researcher, founder of the “Long Live Women Over 40!” community and movement, a member of the Hungarian Menopause Society, founder of the Menopause friendly Workplace Programme in Hungary and Vichy Neovadiol Midlife Ambassador. In my first 20 years, I worked as Communications Manager for multinationals and agencies like Vodafone, Grey, Wizz Air, G2 in Budapest and London. In my second 20 years, I would like to share what I have learned, the Egyenlítő Mentor program would be a good opportunity for this.

Andrea Joós, Chief Communications Officer – IBS

I was given the job of chief communications officer at the International Business School after seven years of working in television and eight years of teaching biology. At every step of my life, I had very significant mentors who I owe a great deal of gratitude to. I’m glad to share this.

Andrea Juercska, CHRO – United Consult Zrt.

Supporting the future of young generation has always been close to my heart, therefore I participated in the program last year as well. Such occasions are also inspiring for me, I can learn a lot from today’s young people. I have gained a lot of experience in the last 25 years, including great experiences and painful learnings. We can talk honestly about career building, becoming a leader, work-life balance, and anything that helps us be the best versions of ourselves!

Eszter Kéri, Psychologist, coach, HR professional

Initially I graduated from psychology, and later obtained a second degree at a business school. The most significant experiences of my 20+ year’s HR career were spent at the French healthcare company Sanofi. At first I led the R&D HR team, then I supported Hungarian and international organizations as a training and organizational development manager and business partner, and finally I was the HR Head of Sanofi’s OTC business in the Central and Eastern European region. I have experienced the operation of the matrix organization o in several roles, participated in several major reorganizations, led change management projects, held trainings in Hungarian and English, including on career development topics. Although my work brought me a lot of joy, I was also interested in many other things, I studied business coaching, psychodrama and team coaching for years, and since 2019 I have been volunteering at a helpline for victims of violence against women and facilitating self-help women’s groups. I have been building my independent consulting and coaching business since the end of 2022. Why do I want to participate? In my HR roles, I was most interested in how we can develop and progress in such a way that we find our purpose and joy in it. In addition to individual efforts and coping skills, we should not forget the social effects either. Men and women learn different patterns from childhood, they often have to meet conflicting expectations, face different prejudices, and bear a significant part of the home and care work. These effects also appear in the workplace, from selection to promotion, from flexible working to wages. With this approach, I would very much like to join this program so that I can support women in their individual and professional development by combining corporate and civilian experience.

Róbert Kókai, Business Development Manager Distributed Power Quality (North, Middle East) – Eaton

I am Róbert Kókai, enery managemement specialist, a business coach and trainer with sales development approach and international sales experience. I spent 2 decades in sales at international enterprises. Started as a product manager at a Hungarian IT wholesaler, then later as the leader of HP business unit I was responsible for $30 Million hardware sales. I built different private businesses, too: I successfully ran our family business of handcrafts and accessories for 5 years with reputable foreign suppliers, and online and a physical shop. In the last 15 years, I developed international business of power management solutions (hardware and software), participated in company acquisitions and rebranding, and often turned problems into possibilities and managed critical business situations. The human side of business was always the most interesting part for me, I love meeting new cultures and new perspectives, I’m a lifetime learner. Over the years, I have developed a particular sensitivity to solving my partners’ business problems. The different coaching methodologies have given me new tools on how to manage people and relationships. I completed a business personal development business coach training in 2018. I’ve initiated launching a peer coaching program at Budapest Business Center of EATON, focusing on the integration of newly appointed mid-managers with international background. We have over 500 internal client coaching hours. Becoming a leader is a process; leaders are not born but are formed under a purposeful learning process and accommodation to the new role. An objective coach can help clients to clarify their drives and goals. Based on my experience I felt committed to helping experts and managers struggling with bottlenecks through my personalized coaching programs to complete their business and career aspirations and being their best selves. I also foster pro-bono secondary school student career orientation via HiSchool Foundation. I hold an ACC certification from ICF. (International Coaching Federation)

Katalin Kokavecz, Head of Department – State Secretariat

I have worked in the public administration sector since 2003, as the head of cohesion policy department for nearly 2 years. I consider it very important to help and support young people in all areas by transfering information and knowledge.

Gyula Lászki, Business & Life Coach – Lászki Gyula Coach

My third diploma has been about The Role of Communication in Business. I have early recognized in my college years that I want to work with people. I worked ten years in the corporate world mainly for International, mainly American firms. I have first hand personal and business experience with many different nationalities and travelled the World gaining worthy knowledge. Twenty-one years ago I founded my own training company and fourteen years ago I joined one of the largest International Organizational Development firm FranklinCovey in Hungary. I have thought around a thousand people here and abroad how to become more effective in their professional and personal lives. For three years now I have also been coaching leaders and entrepreneurs. As a sportsman myself and as a personal social responsibility I coach young sportsmen to overcome their mental obstacles and so achieve better results. Over the decades in my professional career I have recognized that we do not realize our blind spots and with the help of a professional consultant, coach, leader or partner can help us develop ourselves and become better in every area of our lives. My passion is to help others with my wide experience and encourage them to discover the hidden treasures within themselves.

Bea Légrádi, VP HR – Haldex / SAF-HOLLAND Group

I have 20+ years of experience in the field of HR, People and Culture. With my background as an economist and my hands-on, open, and curious approach my main motivation is to drive improvement and excellence in business. I have implemented people strategies and processes with Inclusion and Diversity focus throughout the full employee lifecycle in manufacturing, engineering and technology companies, and supported several initiatives to break down systemic barriers also in my private life. As a mother of two girls my vision is a world where everyone can build on their talent and live a happy and fulfilling life. Besides being thankful for all the mentors, coaches and allies that helped me throughout my life, I also would like to pay it forward and share my experience with others. I have found mentoring really efficient in this area, and I am looking forward to learning other perspectives and being challenged by the mentees.

Judit Liptai, Központi Értékesítési és Marketing igazgató – Danubius Hotels Zrt.

I am Judit Liptai, the sales, marketing & communications director of Danubius Hotels. I am a leader during the day, a wife, a mother, my mom’s daughter, and Shiva the rest of the time. I have spent more than 30 years in the field of tourism, in various positions, both in Hungary and abroad. I to walked through the echelons, I’m proud of where I got to. During my career, I met, worked, negotiated, cooperated with different people, colleagues, guests, and clients. I believe and confess that the ability to cooperate and a personal growht are equivalent (if not more important) to professional knowledge. Of course, difficulties and failures did not escape me either. But in theese difficult times, there was always someone who inspired, supported, and encouraged me, from whom I could draw strength. The time has come to settle my account and inspire and mentor someone.

Gabriella Liptay, Marketing and Communications Director – KPMG Hungary

I have been working in the area of communication, branding for business, non-profits, cultural entities and their “meeting points”. I am a strong beliver of the collaboration of these domains. As a Head of the Advisory Board of Egyenlítő Foundation I feel my responsibilty to share my knowledge and experience.

Emese Móricz, Fortis Consulting Kft. 

When I became the marketing manager of a large international financial company 25 years ago, I had no model for how to be a good “woman leader”, nor any support to do so. There was only one way, the way of men, and I did it heroically, but I was burnt out by the end. The world has come a long way since then, but the ‘one of the boys’ theory still holds sway in many places, which means that if you want to be successful, you have to assimilate. I know that there is another way, where we can build on our female qualities to become successful by building cooperation, tolerance and trust. I am keen to support young, talented women and, as many of my current clients are women in senior positions, I have experience of the challenges faced by them. English is my working language, so I am happy to take on foreign candidates.

Annamária Nagy, East Europe IceCream HR head – Unilever

I am Annamaria Nagy (she/her), HR professional for 20 years, leader, multi-soldier, mother, cat-mom, novelist, charity-shop owner, always (sometimes hurray) optimist. I consider myself really lucky from many perspectives – but obviously I worked for all of those, not just happened to me. I absolutely love my job, and I do believe my job also loves me. I always worked for such companies (Mars, PwC), and I still work for that kind of company (Unilever), where I can (sometimes fully, sometimes partly) live my PURPOSE („Rebel for the better”), I always have opportunity to develop and always meeting and working with fantastic people. I am always busy in my head with some new ideas, I am fuelled by innovation, I adore the human diversity and the new generations – I am amazed by my kids (and obviously so worried all the time). I have had many mentees over the years, this is always great how smoothly we are developing and learning together, I do believe that this is such a mutual give-and-get relationship, and on top friendship always remains. I think the future is now. „Noone can do everything, but everybody can do something” (Max Lucado)

Kinga Németh, Member of the Board of Management Human Resources and Organisation – Audi Hungaria Zrt.

For me, the balance of mind and heart is an important theme. The balance of how I remain human even in my role as a director. This means continuous learning, and I also let external inputs in, because that is how I am shaped. As a kind of motto, I can formulate that “we should always put a little more on the table than is absolutely necessary, and try to grasp and interpret this little more as much as possible”. If I can pass on the things I have experienced and my continuous learning to the younger generations, I consider that to be truly value-creating.

Erika Némethi, Executive Coach, Consultant, and Mentor specialized in areas of business transformation and change communication.

As a dynamic General Manager/Business Leader I bring proven results in repurposing global and multicultural complex organizations for growth and higher profitability at PepsiCo, Johnson & Johnson, Kantar Millward Brown, and AIPM. My experience includes strong focus on business consulting and leadership development in CPG, Health Care and B2B services.

Mentoring young female leaders is a heartfelt activity for me. Their ability to influence growth
will level how balanced, compelling, and diversity-friendly culture is offered by a company.

Maria Nove, Head of Human Resources – Linde Gáz Magyarország Zrt.

As a young leader I always kept important the more experienced leaders’ opinions and directions. Those facts that not to be lost in the details, to be able to see the big picture or how to decrease the emotional part in my way of thinking can be partly thanked to these people. During the years I became a coach and also had personal coachings to develop myself further. I honour the youth really much and would like to support them to manage their personal goals. We need them really much, we can develop together, while completing eachother.

Sára Palcsó, Partner – Altagrand Zrt.

I have been working in the field of marketing for over 25 years, I led marketing teams in multinational and local companies in both local and regional projects. The key to success was always two things combined: is the work inspirational enough for my team members thereby bringing creative solutions into the team and is cooperation good enough within and outside the team. For this task openness, creative attitude and the willingness of change were always crucial. I always liked mentoring, if somebody was willing to accept, I was happy to help and share what I have learnt about my area of expertise, leadership and way of living likewise.

Judit Pécs, HR director – UNION Biztosító

I have 25+ years of experience as a parent and a HR manager. I have experienced a multitide of situations, has been in lots personal and professional dilammas and seen lots of solutions. I have been very fortunate with so many people supporting me on my way. Now I would like to be one of the supporters.

András Rajna, Managing Partner – Nemes-Nagy, Rajna és tsai

As an ex professional athlete I got some experience in motivation and self confidence. For the time being I manege my own enterprise. I wolud like to pass all my knowledge to someone, ahelp her/his carrier.

Krisztina Schubauer, Executibe Director of People & Organisation, Marketing & Communications – Exim Magyarország

My name is Krisztina Schubauer, certified professional coach, organisational developer, communication and CSR expert with more than 20 years professional experience in the field of PR&coms, marketing, sustainability-CSR in various industries like consultancy, ICT, financial services, and startup-innovation sectors. I have support several multinational companies, NGOs to continuously strengthen and improve their corporate and employer image, reputation, and communication, and launch sustainability and corporate volunteering projects. My commitment to encourage individuals, teams, and organizations to find inspiration, motivation, goals and take the first step towards change. I would like to join the mentor program because I would like realize full potential of my mentee and be the personal case study shows the shortcut of the career ladder.

Andrea Simon, University Lecturer – MOME, MTA Könyvtár és Információs Központ

By profession I am a Theatre Director and Lighting Designer, with a later obtained MBA degree in Economics as well. I am a trained mediator. I have experience in company leadership as well as in international project management. I work in the field of art and design, sometimes taking on marketing and communication tasks as well as HR responsibilities. To give back knowledge to and encourage the younger generation is key to successfully develop society and uplifting from personal perspectives as well. To improve the position of women in our society is a responsibility for all of us.

Sonja Dimogli, County Manager Hungary – The Coca-Cola Company

“Hiszek a mentorálás erejében, hiszen az én karrieremet is sok éveken át elkísérte és alapvető szerepet játszott abban, hogy sikeres lettem. A mentorom tanácsai, iránymutatása és a megfelelő helyen feltett kérdései segítettek az öntudatom kibontakoztatásában, karriercéljaim megfogalmazásában és azok megvalósításában. A legkevesebb, amit tenni tudok, hogy önkéntes felajánlásommal visszaadok ebből valamit a következő generációnak és segítek nekik az álmaik megvalósításában. Emellett nagyon fontos nekem az az inspiráció is, amit a mentoráltaktól kapok: különleges bölcsesség forrásai ők és a fiatalokhoz kapcsolódást teszik lehetővé, úgyhogy ez egy win-win! Nagy büszkeség tölt el, ha látom az eredményeiket, a fejlődésük ívét, ez ad energiát és szenvedélyt a folytatáshoz.”

Sonja a Coca-Cola Hellenic-től csatlakozott nemrég a The Coca-Cola Companyhoz, ahol az elmúlt 3 évet Görögország és Ciprus Regionális Marketing Igazgatójaként töltötte. Korábban vállalatirányításban, sales és marketing területen töltött be vezető pozíciókat és szerzett tapasztalatot sokféle fogyasztói márkával, FMCG gyártóval és szegmenssel, több európai országban, köztük Görögországban, Hollandiában és Bulgáriában.

Balázs Supola, Business Area Manager – Sigma Technology Hungary

I am Balázs Supola, 43 years old, father of 2 children. I am Business Area Manager at a Hungarian IT company of a Swedish Group. I am mainly responsible for IT teams, deliveries, customers, and business development. In addition to my main job activity, I also work as a team coach, trainer, and company mentor. I have been teaching 8-10-year-old children to play basketball for 13 years as a hobby. I do all this because I love it and because I consider it important to support, teach and inspire each other. In this mentor program I can support something important with my experience and enthusiasm.

Dr. Orsolya Szabó, founder and leader – Zsolya Communication

I have been working with people for 15 years. I was an advisor for ministers and CEOs, I have worked as a lawyer with corporate clients and in the past few years I have worked with micro companies and SMEs as a business and communication consultant.

Their stories have inspired me in my work and my aim was always to find a quick and efficient solution to their problem. I enjoy not only listening to these stories, but I also record and analyse them, this is how I ended up doing interviews and writing articles.

My love for writing and my advising skills have merged in a communication consulting company, which supports my clients in finding their own voice and their own ideal social media platform where by posting high-quality and effective posts they can increase their sales and revenues.

In 2017 I graduated with highest distinction from the Metropolitan University (Budapest) Turnaround and Crisis Management MBA. My research studied how online presence and social media can help enterprises in their initial phase or when they have reached a development plateau.

I have put all this knowledge in Zsolya Communication, which is a hyperlancer hub, i.e. a network of location independent freelancers working together to enable our clients to provide the highest quality online communication.

Knowledge transfer, creation and development are part of my everyday life and the most beautiful segment of my work, so I am happy to take on any task where value creation plays a prominent role.

Tamara Szabó, business coach (MCC), team and organizational coach, coach-trainer, PCC marker assessor, facilitator – Co-Create Kft

I truly believe my expertise and experience can be a great asset for the program. I am experienced as a coach, mentor, developed several skills in Hungary as well as abroad. In my career I have worked a lot on different aspects of making workplaces diverse and creating equal opportunities (e.g. coaching female leaders from all over the country, being a diversity-equity-inclusion coach in an international project, developing teams to create an inclusive team climate, etc.) Though as an entrepreneur I am quite busy with different development projects, I am happy to create time and space for this activity.

Szak Zsuzsanna, General Manager – Henkel Consumer Brands

FMCG szakértő, több mint 20 év tapasztalattal, ebből 8 év nemzetközi környezetben, különböző területeken, mint General Management, Business Strategy, Leadership, Marketing Management, Innováció. Felelősségi köreim lefedik/ lefedték a food és non-food területeket, hazai, regionális, divíziós pozíciókban. Eltökélt vagyok, hogy úgy érjünk el erős eredményeket, hogy közben a cross-functional csapatokkal szorosan együttdolgozunk. Ebben fogalmazható meg a business vision-öm.

Szalóky Tóth Judit, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Manager – The Coca-Cola Company

Judit húsz éve tölt be vezetői pozíciókat meghatározó cégek, többek között az Unilever, a Zwack Unicum , a Nielsen és a Coca-Cola helyi és régiós menedzsmentjében.

FMCG karrierjét az Unilevernél kezdte a cég élelmiszer és ital portfóliójának marketingkommunikációs szakembereként, majd a számos ikonikus márkát, így az Unicum mellett a Diageo márkákat is forgalmazó Zwack Unicum Rt. marketing és kommunikációs igazgatója lett. Ezt követően a kiskereskedelmi üzleti tanácsadás területén piacvezető Nielsen magyarországi ügyvezetője volt, szorosan együttműködve az FMCG szektor gyártói és kereskedelmi szereplőivel, valamint az iparág szakmai szervezeteivel. Karrierje következő állomásaként Judit a Nielsen régiós menedzsmentjének tagjaként a kelet- és közép-európai régió marketing és kommunikációs igazgatója volt. 2021-ben csatlakozott a The Coca-Cola Company-hoz, mint a cég vállalati kapcsolatért felelős vezetője Magyarországon.

Judit több szervezet karitatív munkáját is támogatja, a kezdetektől tagja az Egyenlítőnek, 2020 óta pedig az alapítvány kuratóriumának. Judit közgazdász végzettségét, majd szervezeti és vezető fejlesztö coach diplomáját a Corvinus Egyetemen szerezte.

Dr. Dániel Szeszlér, Group Legal Director – Magyar Telekom

I have been a lawyer for 18 years and a leader for 10 years. As a lawyer, I have always considered equal treatment as granted, and I felt all kinds of discrimination revolting. As a leader, I aim to assess everyone by their competence and performance. I feel a strong responsibility in recognizing unconscious bias; and in ensuring that equal opportunity is not a mere written principle but is applied in everyday practice. Leading by example is important for me. I fight not only against explicit offensiveness and vulgarity, but also against substantively sexist acts that are otherwise intended as good-faith or kind. I trust that mentoring would allow me to support a woman at another company in their own career path, while I would get impulses that would otherwise not reach me in my everyday working environment. I also consider my participation in the mentorship program as an expression of my personal commitment.

Dr. Noémi Tömösvári, founder – Uránia Medical Center

My name is Dr. Noemi Tomosvari. I am a lawyer-economist and founder of Urania Medical Center. I believe it is essential to pass on the knowledge I have acquired throughout my career, so that the next generation can build on and learn from previous successes. At any stage of a career, it is valuable to have an experienced voice to encourage, empathize, and provide council when faced with difficulties and challenges. I personally had several mentors from whom I have learned a lot, and would like to play that role for others as they find their own paths.

Katalin Tóth, Unit Manager – Sigma Technology Group

I have been working in the IT services sector since 2006 with a MA degree. I have been raising my three childern as a single parent in the past 12 years and meanwhile I aspired from a technical writer position into an account manager, team manager, and then a unit manager role. To see gender equality and a much greater representation of women in managerial roles are exceptionally important goals for me so I’d like to help and facilitate this process as much as I can.

Winkler Zsolt J., régiós marketing vezető (4CE B2B Marketing manager) – Canon Hungária Kft.

Több mint 20 éve dolgozom marketing területen multinacionális cégeknél (kis kitérővel), közel 10 éve vezetőként. Saját karrierem építése közben és vezetőként is azt tapasztalom, hogy a karrierjük építése iránt elkötelezett szakemberek támogatása, mentorálása komoly segítség a szakami sikerek elérésében. Jelenleg a csapatom 90% nő, napi szinten látom mivel kell megküzdeniük, próbálom őket támogatni. Ezt és 20 évnyi multinacionális környezetben szerzett tapasztalatot tudom behozni a programba, ahol reményeim szerint én is új tudással fogok gazdagodni.