IWD 2025: Accelerate Action: How mentoring programs make a difference

People march forward faster when they're working for a manager they know has their back

The theme for this International Women's Day is "Accelerate Action," emphasizing the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. When I think about accelerating action, I think of the people who have made a difference in my career and the mentors I've had over the years. In my opinion, the best step forward is to work together, and that means lifting each other up whenever we have the opportunity. 

Realising my potential

I'll always be extraordinarily grateful for the steadfast support I received from a female leader in my early career years, back when I was still getting to grips with a marketing role in the technology industry, and I had yet to find out exactly what I was capable of achieving professionally.

She saw potential in me and committed herself to helping me develop my talent and skills. She made a huge impact by giving me the chance to take on challenges and responsibilities that other leaders may have been wary about affording to an untested employee in their early or mid-twenties. 

The offer of a transfer to our employer's Tokyo office – an unusual opportunity for someone as new to the business as I was at that time – came with her support.

While I was a part of her regional team there, she enabled me to expand my role significantly, as I demonstrated my willingness and capability to engage with flagship clients and take on business-critical tasks and projects.

In addition to presenting me with invaluable opportunities, my manager afforded me enormous autonomy. I was encouraged to take ownership and risks and felt comfortable doing so because I was 100 percent confident that I had her support. 

Knowing she trusted me and that, come what may, she would have my back, made me brave enough to try new things that would potentially benefit our clients and the business.

Paying it forward

As my career has progressed and I acquired direct reports and teams of my own to lead, I've worked to replicate my mentor's management style to empower my team in the same way. 

Prior to joining Extreme Networks in September 2023, I worked on both the agency and client sides for several multinational technology companies. In each role, I've made it my mission to hire and develop young graduates whenever I had the opportunity.

My goal is to do for them many of the things my old boss used to do for me - empowering them and pushing them out of their comfort zones. Most importantly, I want to make sure they know that they can take risks without fear, because as their leader, the buck ultimately stops with me. 

To my mind, that unqualified support and assurance is the ultimate 'safe space'. Offer it to smart young self-starters with drive and determination and there's every likelihood they'll spread their wings and fly, perhaps further than you'll go yourself on your own career journey.

Sharing the support

Helping to provide all employees with that same unwavering support, not just those on my team but across our organisation, has been a top priority for me since joining Extreme. 

Extreme Networks has created a highly supportive culture where everyone is encouraged to make their voice heard. In company with other female leaders in our company, I'm delighted to take part in our international Women in Networking (WIN) employee resource group. 

Additionally, Extreme offers a formalized mentoring program, which can make a huge different in the careers of young employees. Extreme has invested in a platform that helps manage mentor/mentee relationships and pair people more efficiently, and we now have hundreds of employees taking advantage of this program. 

Being able to come together as a group to share learnings and experiences can provide a sense of safety and belonging to younger female employees who are still finding their feet. To truly accelerate action, leaders should take the opportunity to show those who are early in their careers a path forward, and take steps to dismantle outdated, unsupportive systems.  

By stepping up as a leader to encourage all employees to develop their skills and mentoring the next generation, we can march forward as a team, just as this year's International Women's Day's theme adjures us to do.