Spotnana’s mentorship program for women

Spotnana’s employee resource group (ERG) for women, also known as Spot-her (a reference to how all employees are called “Spotters”) has developed a mentorship program that aims to empower women by providing a platform for learning, support, and professional growth through mentorship.

For our 2025 program, women earlier in their careers were paired with more senior leaders to meet one-on-one over a three-month period between January to April. To encourage women to take ownership of their professional growth, mentees were responsible for scheduling each mentorship session, building the agenda, and adjusting meeting frequency as needed.

This structure facilitated numerous conversations rooted in skill-building, support, and development. Some topics that mentors and mentees discussed include setting career goals, overcoming challenges in the workplace, developing industry knowledge, honing technical skills, practicing public speaking, building confidence, and creating a work-life balance.

We spoke with two mentors, SVP of Customer Experience Shilpi Narang and Senior Director of Global Content Delivery Angeles Yugdar, and one mentee, Manager, Software Engineer Kruthi Venkatesh, to learn about their perspectives on mentorship and how our Spot-her Mentorship Program impacted their lives and careers.

Finding the “why”

Manager, Software Engineer Kruthi Venkatesh (left) and SVP of Customer Experience Shilpi Narang (right)

Everyone begins a journey of transformation with a personal motivation – their “why.” Each participant in our Spot-her Mentorship Program entered the program mindful of their own goals and aspirations.

Shilpi Narang signed up as a mentor to share her experiences, support her mentee, and also to learn about her mentee’s life, work, and experience at Spotnana. “Mentorship is a two-way dialogue,” said Shilpi. “While the focus is on the mentee’s questions and needs, the mentor also gains new insights and perspectives.”

A beneficiary of mentorship throughout her career, Angeles Yugdar chose to participate in our Spot-her Mentorship Program as a way to give back. “Just as others believed in me and helped shape my journey, I feel the desire to do the same for others,” said Angeles. “Being part of a mentorship program is my way of paying it forward.”

For some mentees, the Spot-her Mentorship Program was the opportunity they had been actively searching for. “I have been actively seeking a mentorship program for a while, so when the opportunity finally arrived, I didn’t think twice,” said Kruthi. “I signed up immediately.”

Reflecting on the value of mentorship

Our Spot-her Mentorship Program encouraged participants to reflect on the impact of mentorship in their personal and professional journeys. Shilpi Narang recognizes the profound impact it has had on her career. “Professionally, mentoring conversations have created the space for me to ask questions and learn about areas of the business that I wasn’t familiar with, get advice on addressing tricky situations, get constructive feedback on areas of improvement, and even navigate career choices and transitions,” said Shilpi. “It was a mentor who introduced me to Sarosh and Spotnana!”

Gaining insights from successful female executives has been especially valuable. “These conversations have instilled in me the confidence to take on professional challenges that I might have otherwise avoided,” said Shilpi.

For Angeles Yugdar, mentorship has been a key facilitator of human connection. “Every time I’ve joined a new team or started a new role, building bonds with others—especially those outside of my immediate area—has been incredibly enriching,” said Angeles. “Through these relationships, I’ve had the opportunity to learn how other departments contribute to our shared goals and understand the bigger picture of how we drive value as a company.”

Kruthi Venkatesh values mentorship as an avenue to ask questions or engage in conversations that unlock a new way of thinking. “I had a few thoughts and ideas I’d been sitting with, and talking to my mentor helped bring clarity to them,” said Kruthi. “That clarity has directly influenced my career trajectory and decision-making.”

Measuring personal and organizational development

The Spot-her Mentorship Program recently concluded after mentors and mentees held their final meetings. Despite the program’s formal end, participants forged new connections and gained valuable insights to take with them throughout the rest of their careers.

Reflecting on three months of growth, Shilpi Narang noted a strong connection with her mentee that fostered a personal commitment to her progress. “Getting to know my mentee via frequent in-depth conversations has been the most rewarding part of being a mentor in this program,” said Shilpi. “My mentee is doing great things at Spotnana and has recently taken on an important new assignment in the company. I am grateful to have been a small part of her career journey.”

Angeles Yugdar appreciated the opportunity to develop cross-functional relationships, with many expanding beyond daily work at Spotnana. “The most rewarding part of being a mentor has been the opportunity to connect on a deeper level with people across the organization,” said Angeles. “These relationships are more than just career-oriented—they’re built on trust, shared experiences, and a genuine desire to see each other succeed.”

Looking back on her Spot-her Mentorship experience, Kruthi Venkatesh found the three-month program to be especially valuable. “It gave me a trusted buddy I could have candid conversations with and someone senior who brings deep industry experience,” said Kruthi. “Their perspective has helped me navigate several changes more confidently. I’ve formed a connection that I believe will last beyond work.”