Someone in your corner

The RightBrains Digital Talent Programme has been the catalyst for mentoring connections that have impacted the careers of both digital talents and leaders to date. Sometimes, these initial connections blossom into lasting friendships – as both mentors and mentees become cemented in each other’s circle of trust. We connected with one of these matches and explored how they have been inspired by each other.  

Mentor: Frauke Wessel, Senior Digital Transformation Leader 

Mentee: Laura van Nigtevegt, Partner & Digital Accelerator at FULL FORCE DIGITAL

Which qualities do you admire in each other? 

Frauke: Everyone who knows Laura, knows that she has an energising and lovely personality. This made it so easy to mentor her, I also admire her eager and ambitious nature. She is continuously motivated to go the extra mile in everything that she does. I was so impressed with her perspective on the world – she was a cut diamond that was already sparkling when I met her!  

Laura: My first encounter with Frauke was when she raised her hand at an event and spoke her mind about the hardcore work that goes into landing a top executive role. It resonated with me that someone was gutsy enough to point out the grit you need to develop beyond believing in yourself and simply ‘saying yes’ to opportunity. I love how unapologetic and real she is – what you see is what you get. 

What did you learn about yourself over the course of your mentoring relationship?  

Frauke: Despite being aware of what I have achieved professionally and in life, I sometimes still feel insecure. During the mentoring process, I was reminded again how your unique experiences can be of value to someone else and that gave me a welcome boost of confidence and validation. It’s empowering to enable someone else to make a move in the right direction, and that ended up inspiring us both! 

Laura: After being mentored by Frauke, I was really enthusiastic and empowered to become a mentor myself. I’ve discovered that even a few chats can put someone else on the right track and help them clear their mind to consider a tough decision from a fresh perspective. From a personal point of view, I have learned that it’s okay to ask for help in making introductions and to tap into your mentor’s expertise and experience to help you move forward. One such an example is when Frauke invited me to an event with high profile leaders, where I met some very cool people -- and it reaffirmed to me that I’m in the right industry and on the right path.  

In which ways did you gain a fresh perspective from exploring each other’s viewpoints? 

Frauke: From my conversations with Laura, I realised that the challenges that women face in their careers and also within the tech industry are universal and sometimes intergenerational. You are rooted in ambition, you start out with a path in mind, and you need to define what your goals are – regardless of where you are in your career.  

Laura: Frauke’s insightful questions really helped me to expand my mind when I was just about to embark on my journey into management, and her encouragement helped me to make some decisions around it. Her vantage point added depth in the decision-making process, and it was reassuring to know someone beyond my specific organisation was in my corner, and will be in the future. 

What’s your advice to women in tech?  

Frauke: Ditch the guilt and disregard the stereotypical agendas that are not helpful. If a career is something you want, don’t compare yourself to the class mom who can invest a lot of private time at their children’s schools. It’s a piece of advice I never neglect to share with my mentees. 

Laura: I think it’s important to question and challenge your own ‘Why’. Ultimately, what makes you happy should be your guiding light; and inspirational mentorship can help get you there. In our case, our mentoring relationship continues beyond the programme that initially connected us, and we wish for many more women to stay connected forever.” 

Sign up for the 2025 Digital Talent Programme here.

This article was originally shared in the Rightbrains DIGIDIVA Jubilee Edition 2024. Read more magazine content and explore our inspirational stories here!