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 to 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 mentorship program in 2023. A program where mentors and mentees work together during a period of longer time, towards a specific mentoring objective.

This program was implemented with great success in between 2023 – 2025!  Last year, it gave a record number of 121 Mentor-Mentee pairs the opportunity to connect and develop professionally and personally. After evaluating the program, we saw what made it successful, and also what we should change in order to give the participants even more, even better. Based on feedback and experience, we will level up the program in 2026.

Hungary has one of the lowest levels of female representation in company leadership roles in the EU with 10-14% compared to 35% EU average (EIGE, 2025) 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 100 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 2026 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 (April – December 2026)
  • 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 for registration for mentors: 10th March 2026.

Deadline for registration for mentees: 3rd April 2026.  

Application

OUR MENTORS

Founder & Managing Director, YourStory.hu

I am a passionate communicator and network builder. I believe in the power of well‑designed and precisely targeted communication—whether online or offline—and in human connections that can be effectively supported and enhanced by digital tools.

My key focus is supporting female leaders, women entrepreneurs, and startup founders.

I have over 30 years of leadership and professional experience as a marketing and communications expert at PwC and later at KPMG, working in the Hungarian market, across Central and Eastern Europe, and at the EMA level.

For more than 10 years, I served as the Marketing, Communications, and Knowledge Management Director for KPMG in Central and Eastern Europe, overseeing 19 countries.

Today, I am the founder and managing director of YourStory.hu, an integrated marketing and communications agency.

I led the Women Leaders’ Club of the Hungarian Business Leaders Forum for seven years from its inception.

I serve as a board member of the Egyenlítő Foundation, vice-chair of the board at United Way Hungary, a supporter of the Élethang Foundation, and a charity runner for Bátor Tábor together with my son, Marci.

He is the person I am most proud of in my life. I enjoy running, kayaking, motorcycling, and playing golf.

Senior Documentation Program Manager – Emerson Automation Solutions Magyarország

I’m a firm believer in the enduring value of continuous learning and collaborative support. With a firsthand understanding of the transformative impact of mentorship, I am deeply committed to guiding individuals towards realizing their full potential. Employing a solution-focused approach and embracing the “challenge by choice” methodology, I leverage my active listening skills to foster a supportive environment. By building upon individuals’ existing skills and achievements, I aim to unearth opportunities for further development and maximize their professional growth.

Senior Manager, Security Assurance, Security and Resiliency – Kyndryl Hungary Kft.

As a woman, I’m passionate about leading a diverse team in information security at the world’s largest start-up. I believe that different points of view help to find the best solutions. As a mentor, I would like to share my own experiences, confident that I can motivate young aspirants at the beginning of their careers, hoping that the momentum of the new generation will give me new energy as well.

Chief Advisor – Mayor’s Office for the 2nd District of Budapest

I am Nóra Kiss, I work for the Municipality of Budapest, as a direct advisor to the Mayor. I mainly deal with cultural affairs and social development. I graduated in pedagogy at the University of Szeged, then in sociology at the ELTE TáTK, and soon as a minority political scientist. I have worked as a spokesperson assistant at the National Federation of Hungarian Trade Unions, at the Ministry of National Cultural Heritage, at the Office of the National Assembly and at the Ministry of Education and Culture as a parliamentary liaison officer, and as a personal assistant to the Minister of Education and Culture. He also worked in the Hungarian National Museum as Head of the Communications and Strategy Department and in the business sector in the field of communications.

I am currently working on a cultural and community development strategy for the second district of Budapest. In this planning process, we are working on the priority that culture has a social shaping role, so that it can have an impact on communities and thus on social inequalities, especially for women. In the 21st century, communities are facing complex and interdependent crises, and by rethinking urban ecosystems, they can become more resilient and adaptable to change.

Career Counselor, Coach, Mentor

I work as a career counselor, coach and mentor for more than 10 years. My work is to help people who have the willingness to change. I mainly work with career and leadership coaching. I help my clients to find their strengths and their inner and outer resources. I also worked with several civil organizations, where I did trainings, organizational development and other supportive work. The goal of our work together is that my client finds a realistic but challenging goal, and also the way to reach it.

VP HR & ESG, SAF-HOLLAND Group / Haldex

I have 25 years of experience in the field of HR, People and Culture, which I extended to Sustainability (ESG) in the last years. 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.

Senior HR and OD consultant, coach, team coach

I have been working in HR and organizational development for nearly 30 years. In addition to degrees in economics and law, I am a certified coach, team coach, and organizational designer. For more than 10 years I led HR teams as an HR director and in other senior HR leadership roles in large companies. For the past 9 years I have been working as a strategic HR consultant, organizational development consultant, and coach for leaders and leadership teams, helping organizations navigate major change processes. I am also the mother of four wonderful children, so I know how challenging it can be to balance work, family, and our own needs — and at the same time, how beautiful, fulfilling, and joyful life can be when this balance is achieved at least to a certain extent. I most enjoy mentoring around HR topics and leadership dilemmas or difficulties, but I am also happy to support with topics related to the many roles connected to being a working mother. #HR #consulting #leadership #strategy

Managing Director, BeeCorp Studio Kft.

A brand manager with a strategic approach, she has been leading the BeeCorp communications agency for 10 years, was previously responsible for the 3D design team of an auto mechanic company, was the creative director of WebCorp and several agencies and the designer of Képpont 96′ printing house. She deals with all segments of marketing on a daily basis, mentors SME leaders in systems thinking and automatable processes. She has award-winning projects to her name, in 2023 they became the youngest company to win the Hungarian Business Awards sector award, and in 2024 she was chosen as the regional entrepreneur of the year by the National Association of Entrepreneurs. Her passion is the talent management of start-up and female entrepreneurs, equal opportunities within the company and the growth of female leaders in the business sector.

Stratégiai szemléletű vezető vagyok, a marketing minden szegmensével napi szinten foglalkozom. Segítek a rendszerszemléletű gondolkodásban és az automatizálható folyamatokban. Díjnyertes projektek fűződnek a nevemhez és 2024-ben regionális év vállalkozójává választottak.

Women/Business/Angels
I am an economist and I also hold an honorary professor title at the most important business school in Hungary. I have regional executive experience in Central and Eastern Europe with one of the key players of the global economy.

Content designer
I do content design: a tailor made content marketing tool that helps businesses and professionals grow. I offer mentoring to those who value professional experience.

Scrum master & agilis coach – Hydro GBS

Hi everyone! I studied psychology, which still shapes the way I work today: I listen, I ask questions, and I genuinely care about what’s happening on the other side. My career path has never been linear – I’ve seen the challenges of HR, IT, and transformation offices up close. This has taught me to think in systems while still making people-centered decisions. As a mentor, I believe it’s not about giving ready-made answers, but about asking the right questions. I’m empathetic, a good listener, and I enjoy creating a safe space where it’s okay to think, question, and redesign. I find real fulfillment in moments when, after a conversation, someone walks away seeing themselves or their next step a little more clearly. In my free time, I watch Netflix (strictly for research purposes 😉), go wine tasting with my friends, or attend basketball games with my family — because knowing how to enjoy life is just as important as knowing how to work. If you’re looking for a mentor who thinks in a structured way but speaks a very human language, you’ve just found her.

Associate Partner, Tax & Legal, KPMG in Hungary

I’m really looking forward to being a mentor because I enjoy helping others grow and reach their goals. I’ve learned a lot over the years, and now I’d love to pay it forward by supporting others on their journeys. I’m excited to share what I know, learn together, and make the most out of this experience!

Tech Lead for Advisory Management – NN Group

I transitioned to technology from business of banking/insurance sector, driven by passion for understanding and fulfilling all time customer needs. During my career I have been realizing and enforcing future-proof strengths as adaptability, flexibility, curiosity, and bravery, that have helped me to excel and positively influence the business and tech relations. My leadership is marked by commitment to empower and inspire others, and fostering an environment of growth via technology.

Scrum Master, trainer, coach


I am Márta Varga, a Scrum Master, trainer, and internationally certified coach with multiple professional focuses (career support, work-life balance, leadership support, time and change management) and tools (personality profiling, creativity development, management tools, and systems thinking). Mother, partner, friend, pet owner. Living being. Big dreamer, continuously evolving, absorbing and emitting creative energies, experiencing and re-experiencing emotions. Encouraging, stimulating, initiative-taking, supporting with a neuroaffirmative approach. I paint, I develop my own product. I am currently training to become an organizational developer and mediator: I continuously develop myself so I can help others.

Sustainability Project Director, Accredited Sustainability Consultant – Planet Fanatics’ Network Ltd. // Entrepreneur

I started working with sustainability (ESG) in Hungary when environmental protection, diversity, or sustainability reporting were still scarcely discussed at any company. I’m proud to have climbed the career ladder in this field—from intern to associate, and eventually to Sustainability Project Director. Over the past 15 years, I’ve learned tremendously from others, not only about the profession itself but also about working with integrity and values. Having multiple professional roles led me to entrepreneurship during Covid. This immense freedom, the creative energy, and the variety of roles I embody daily (photographer, graphic designer, publisher, marketer, virtual assistant, efficiency mentor, certified dog sitter) provide that special added value. As a mentor, I am eager to share these experiences with others.

Director – CIO Business Operations – Kyndryl

I’ve graduated as a software developer at the Technical University of Budapest. After a year at smaller companies, I spent 20 years at IBM and lately I joined Kyndryl as Director of CIO Business Operations. I’ve had various roles in my career including software developer, business analyst, project manager and management positions in the IT fields of Manufacturing, HR, Finance and Business Operations. I’m very passionate about mentoring and giving back. I enjoy supporting and helping others to grow in their careers.