A few years ago, I wished for someone who could help me navigate difficult or unclear situations—both professionally and personally. Today, I’m more experienced and structured, yet I still have mentors I regularly seek advice from, and I’m very grateful for that. My volunteer work as a mentor stems from my role as a designer, for which I receive a lot of positive feedback, and from the realization that giving is a part of life. Volunteering is a must and should always have its place.

It’s important to me that what I pass on is practical, applicable, individualized, and clearly structured in actionable steps. I use methods from design thinking, creativity, and UX, and combine them with my experience from large agency projects. For over ten years, I have been deeply involved with psychology and relaxation techniques, and in 2018, I completed a yoga teacher training, which rounds everything out.

Mentor Lane is a great platform where mentees can create a “mentor cocktail” to work specifically on different topics that meet their individual needs. This is unique and available at an affordable cost. Mentors also benefit by making themselves visible as experts, utilizing networks, and meeting exceptional people. I’m excited for the next challenges!

My name is Christian, and I would like to offer my professional and personal experiences in various situations, approaches, and personality traits as part of my mentoring. At the same time, I look forward to exchanging ideas, not only to provide insights but also to learn from the challenges and situations faced by the mentees. I often find that people in my professional and private circles seek out conversations with me and appreciate my perspective.

I place great emphasis on a needs analysis during an initial consultation to jointly identify the goals to be pursued and the timeline. Only then can I assess to what extent a collaboration would be promising for both parties. Additionally, I consider a foundation of trust and open communication to be crucial.

The success of the mentoring process depends on the mentee’s initiative. This means being responsible, driving the achievement of milestones, and remaining disciplined in implementation. Commitment and ownership are essential for shared progress. Clear goal-setting with milestones, preliminary discussions, and a foundation of trust and open communication are key, and these will be discussed in the initial meetings.

I come from a family of teachers, so I had few role models for careers in business while growing up. However, I was fortunate early on during my studies and internships to attend networking events where I learned that I could ask experienced people for advice, and they were happy to share their knowledge. This openness left a lasting impression on me, and I now want to give back in the same way.

I expect a mentee to know why they are seeking mentoring and to make use of it. This doesn’t mean that every piece of advice must be followed—it’s about receiving insights and then finding one’s own path. I expect a mentor to listen attentively to the mentee’s questions and context, rather than simply following their own agenda. Both sides must be open to growth and development.

Mentor Lane offers everyone the opportunity to find interesting insights and connections outside of their own “bubble.” This can be especially valuable for young professionals and leaders in smaller companies who may not have the chance to ask questions in their daily environment. Innovation and change require diversity—and sometimes just a cheerleader. Both can be found on Mentor Lane! 🙂

I volunteer as a mentor because I firmly believe that knowledge grows when shared. My approach to mentoring is based on mutual respect—we both learn from each other. I enjoy empowering younger individuals, particularly in recognizing the importance of soft skills and navigating complex professional environments to develop independent solutions.

There are three things I find particularly important in mentoring:

1. Sharing knowledge and mutual respect: Knowledge grows when shared. I value the mutual enrichment and shared learning experience.

2. Soft skills and role-playing: The higher you climb in a company’s hierarchy, the more important soft skills become. Role-playing is an effective way to train these practical abilities.

3. Self-reflection: As someone who transitioned from corporate development in the media industry to real estate for family offices, I bring a diverse range of experiences. I encourage my mentees to reflect on their own skills and satisfaction factors.

I would definitely recommend Mentor Lane. I’ve been an active member since the beginning and greatly appreciate the platform. Colin has been very disciplined and personable in keeping everything on track. Mentor Lane offers fantastic opportunities for mutual learning and personal growth.

As a mentor, I’ve had a very positive experience with Mentor Lane: I was matched with a great, engaging mentee, and Mentor Lane doesn’t monitor us but rather inspires us to have various thought exchange sessions. Overall, I see the entire process as a win-win for everyone involved.

I have often found myself in professional and personal situations where, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find the desired path to my goal. In those moments, it was a great blessing when mentors helped clear away the fog and allowed me to see the possibilities more clearly. Now that I’ve gained a lot of experience myself, I want to give back and help others find their way. And of course, mentoring is not a one-way street—I learn just as much from my mentees.

What’s important to me in mentoring: openness to new ideas and perspectives is a great foundation. Even when facing seemingly large challenges, it’s important to laugh and have a relaxed exchange, as this often opens up new possibilities. It also takes a bit of courage to engage with new perspectives and put them into action.

Mentoring thrives on the people you engage with, and that’s precisely why I would recommend Mentor Lane to everyone. The entire community of mentors and mentees at Mentor Lane consists of wonderful, inspiring conversation partners and motivators for your journey.

Mentor Lane offers a great opportunity to share experiences while also gaining new perspectives. The exchange between mentor and mentee follows a simple framework that provides plenty of room for individual customization. I’m glad to have connected with the Mentor Lane team at an early stage and am excited to see how the concept continues to develop.

Why do you volunteer as a mentor?

When I ended my role as managing director of a media company in 2022 after fourteen years, I wanted to reset everything, but at the same time, share my life and professional experience. Being able to support others as a mentor brings me great joy. I want to give something back because I, too, benefited the most in my career when experienced people accompanied me on part of my journey. I do this out of pure conviction.

What is important to you in mentoring?

Listening. As a former leader, I naturally have the tendency to share my knowledge and experience. I also try to incorporate my know-how as a personal and business coach, as it benefits my mentees. I follow the philosophy that one’s own solution is usually the best solution. I’m happy to help my mentees find that solution.

Would you recommend Mentor Lane?

Of course, I would recommend Mentor Lane. I’ve been volunteering as a mentor here for two years, driven by conviction. Mentor Lane offers everyone the right support through its mentors.

I had the good fortune to meet the Mentor Lane team during its founding days. Since then, my belief in and interest in mentoring have never waned. The team’s high level of professionalism in handling mentor-mentee pairs keeps me continuously excited about professional mentoring. If you’re looking for a forward-thinking, competent mentoring program, Mentor Lane is the perfect place for you.

I believe in the power of knowledge exchange. Sharing my experiences while also learning from the mentees is a gift that constantly generates new ideas and insights. To all the mentees: You are amazing, use the platform to gain more knowledge!

My own unconventional path led me to mentoring. I studied Media Communication & Journalism, and I knew even during my studies that writing articles was not my strength. My great fortune was that I already knew back then what I enjoyed, what I was good at, and I had a vision. Through detours but based on my talents, I managed to find my calling, and yet I still know that the journey of personal development is never over. Today, I work in global marketing at a German spirits company in the innovation department, I’m a yoga teacher, and I’m a passionate mentor.

For me, life is a wonderful gift, and I want to help you on this exciting journey to unlock your full potential, live your identity, visions, and talents, and shape your life with ease.

As your mentor, I am your objective idea generator and sparring partner, fully focused on your personal goals. If you don’t yet know what those goals are, I’ll help you create that vision and take small steps toward achieving it.

I look forward to meeting you!

Why do you volunteer as a mentor?

I volunteer as a mentor because I believe that with the right support, anyone can achieve great things. It’s important to me to share my experiences and help others. I also want to support young talents and assist them in reaching their professional and personal goals.

What is important to you in mentoring?

In mentoring, it’s especially important to me to address the individual needs and goals of the mentee. Good communication and honest feedback are essential. The relationship must be built on mutual trust.

Would you recommend Mentor Lane?

Yes, absolutely. Mentor Lane provides an excellent platform for finding suitable mentor-mentee pairings. The platform offers numerous helpful resources and provides opportunities for exchange in the community space. Regular exclusive events complement the offering. Mentor Lane is the perfect resource for anyone looking to engage as a mentor or grow as a mentee.

In various roles, I have had the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and develop an entrepreneurial mindset: as an executive assistant, impact startup founder, innovation guide, in-house consultant, freelancer, and co-managing director. Even when I’m at physio, I find myself brainstorming with the owner on how to further develop their business. From my experience, self-care goes hand in hand with the creativity and implementation skills needed for these ideas—because all these tasks can be quite overwhelming.

Why am I a mentor? Because I am often asked about my experiences and ideas. And, in these conversations, I also learn—I love seeing things from different perspectives.

What is mentoring with me like? Honesty starts with oneself, and from there, the journey begins. I can show you new paths and support you as you try them out. Even as a Gen Y & Z representative, you can gain a better understanding of both generations through my eyes #reversementoring.

Why do you volunteer as a mentor?

When I started my own business, I experienced significant growth thanks to my mentors. That’s why it’s an honor and a natural part of my journey to “pay it forward” by sharing my knowledge and experience to help others move forward.

What is important to you in mentoring?

The chemistry. There has to be a good personal connection between mentor and mentee. In my view, mentoring can only be successful if there is mutual respect, trust, and a genuine liking for each other, with both partners meeting as equals.

Would you recommend Mentor Lane?

Mentor Lane has connected me with fascinating individuals. Without it, we might never have met. Thank you for that!

I’m Judith, and I’ve been self-employed for 13 years. I grew up in a working-class family and have gradually built my life into what it is today. Having mentors would have made it much easier. That’s why I’m happy to share my experiences and my network to make your journey smoother. You can benefit from me and hit the turbo on your path. I’m looking for mentees who want to move forward and need someone to support them. I look forward to hearing from you!

I volunteer as a mentor because I truly enjoy sharing my knowledge and supporting young founders on their journey, both professionally and personally. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see how my input is implemented and leads to positive changes.

In mentoring, it’s especially important to me that the mentee sets the agenda and determines the questions. I don’t dictate the topics; instead, I listen carefully to understand what really concerns the founders and “keeps them up at night.” The mentoring session is entirely for the mentee, and they decide on the topics and the course of the session. This approach ensures that support reaches exactly where it’s needed most.

Mentor Lane is an excellent starting point for all dedicated founders and individuals seeking advice from experienced mentors and looking to grow through self-reflection. The platform provides valuable support and offers a unique opportunity for exchange between experienced mentors and motivated mentees. I wholeheartedly recommend Mentor Lane.

My resume is unorthodox and very diverse—and above all, there were many times I would have loved to have a mentor. It would have helped me avoid certain mistakes or open my eyes to potential uncertainties.

It is a personal mission of mine to pass on my experience and reflections, and to support those who are at the beginning of their career, have just started, or want to further develop themselves. I want to be there to offer guidance and advice.

Why do you volunteer as a mentor?

In over 35 years of professional life in various roles, I’ve learned a lot, made some mistakes, and often wished I had an experienced mentor by my side with good advice. It brings me great joy to share my experiences with others and support them in their professional or personal development.

What is important to you in mentoring?

Openness, trust, and a good match between the mentee’s expectations and the mentor’s experience.

Would you recommend Mentor Lane?

Absolutely, I’ve had very positive experiences so far.

I’ve taken quite a few detours to find answers, and in doing so, I was tested more than once—professionally, in my health, and in my relationships. Looking back, I can say it was never methods that helped or “healed” me, but always some form of connection. It was places, people, situations, and my faith that brought hope and warmth back into my life.

My career has been shaped by positions in communication. As a marketing director, I have repeatedly developed new brand concepts, launched websites, led social media campaigns, and managed automation projects. I’m passionate about working closely with people, whether through engaging video interviews, running workshops and customer events, or in my leadership responsibilities. Alongside my full-time job, I have also pursued my passion for holistic health on a freelance basis. My focus areas include nutrition, stress management, nervous system regulation, and conflict resolution.

As a mentor, I aim to support you not just with a wealth of information, know-how, and common sense, but above all with a listening ear, trust, inspiration, wisdom, and a good dose of honesty.

I’m excited to meet you soon!

Throughout my career as a ballet dancer and in my business journey, I have always been accompanied by people who helped me progress both personally and professionally with their experience. This has been a crucial factor in bringing me to where I am today, both professionally and personally.

I am deeply grateful to these individuals who, always open, without judgment, voluntarily, and sometimes unofficially, supported me in my development.

That’s why it is important to me to support others and accompany them on their journey. It’s essential to me that each person finds their own path rather than receiving pre-made instructions. The focus is on reflecting together, analyzing challenges in dialogue, and deriving the next steps from that.

Mentor Lane helps connect the right partners for this journey, bringing them together across industries. This is why I’m happy to volunteer as a mentor in this format, and I look forward to many great conversations and shared activities.

Who am I? I’m Kirsten, 45 years old, born and living in Berlin. I’m a mother of three and I love my job. I work with sponsors/manufacturers in clinical research, helping them navigate the regulatory jungle and guide their drug/medical product through all phases of development. The goal is to get the respective product approved or licensed in the desired country. Currently, I’m working with a sponsor on a study for a cancer drug. What I know and achieve today, I’ve earned through detours, in small steps, with lots of positive thoughts, and the right people around me. I’m a mentor to younger colleagues, and I love sharing my knowledge and experience. I’m open-minded, always positive—there’s a solution to everything!

Why do you volunteer as a mentor?

I have co-founded, co-financed, advised, managed, led, developed, bought, and sold companies. With more than 30 years of professional and entrepreneurial experience, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience in the hopes that others can benefit from it. At the same time, through mentoring, I get to meet new people and ideas from my mentees. I’ve been involved with Mentor Lane since 2018.

What is important to you in mentoring?

I enjoy supporting startups and entrepreneurs in all areas, with a particular focus on strategy, business planning & controlling, as well as financial planning and financing.

My guiding principle is: entrepreneurial venture engagement and mutual empowerment (EVEnME).

Would you recommend Mentor Lane?

I gladly recommend Mentor Lane and believe that everyone benefits from mutual exchange.

At Mentor Lane, there is not only the exchange between mentors and mentees but also among mentors themselves.

There are also increasing opportunities through events to expand and maintain networks, as well as workshops and webinars.

Why do you volunteer as a mentor?

I believe it’s important to support founders. Very few can afford expensive consultancy services and rely on tips from experienced experts. Since I want to support the startup scene and entrepreneurship in Germany, I consider it an honor when a mentee chooses me as a mentor, and I can help them progress with my expertise.

What is important to you in mentoring?

For me, it’s important that I truly know the subject and am an expert in the field. For example, I have strong knowledge in areas like digitalization, business models, and marketing. But even more important is the personal connection with the mentee. We always have an initial, non-binding conversation, and both sides decide afterward if we can envision a mentoring relationship. Both sides must give a clear “Yes” for the mentoring to be successful.

Would you recommend Mentor Lane?

Absolutely! I find the experts you can connect with on Mentor Lane truly exceptional. And as a side note—I’ve also found expertise for a different topic where I wasn’t as knowledgeable. I’m still in touch with that mentor today, and I think it’s great how Mentor Lane has built a network of experts. I also love that not only business founders but also NGOs can find support here. From personal experience, I know NGOs can use all the help they can get, and I’ve already offered my expertise pro bono to several NGOs.

Why do you volunteer as a mentor?

I volunteer as a mentor because I know from personal experience that there are moments in life where a small piece of guidance or an altruistic external perspective can be enough to spark significant change. It brings me great joy to support others on their journey and witness how they unlock their full potential.

What is important to you in mentoring?

For me, mentoring is about providing analytical, structured, and clear help to guide self-sufficiency. It’s important to equip my mentees with tools and strategies so they can find solutions on their own and reach their goals. A good mentor doesn’t just give advice but empowers the mentee to make confident decisions.

Would you recommend Mentor Lane?

Yes, I would definitely recommend Mentor Lane. Mentor Lane allows anyone to easily find the right coach, and if it’s not the right fit, you can easily switch. It’s a fantastic service for anyone seeking personal growth and support in achieving their goals. The platform offers a great opportunity to learn from experienced mentors and continue developing.