WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION TO JOIN THE PROGRAMME?
Lauren Greene, Strategic Services Director, Vista Group, UK
My main motivation for joining the programme was the opportunity to be connected with and supported by other like-minded women in the industry. I also knew it would be valuable to build a relationship with someone who could offer practical and relevant advice, but who I may not work with on a day-to-day basis.
Marta Kowalska, Studio & Brand Franchise Marketing Director, The Walt Disney Company, Spain
Generally speaking, I strongly believe in diversity, equity and inclusion as a way of life, both personally and professionally, so UNIC Women's Cinema Leadership Programme, developed for women in the film exhibition and distribution industry, immediately seemed like a real win. My Spanish colleague - Montse Gil - recommended it to me and I couldn't be more grateful. The programme has given me a unique opportunity to share more than 20 years of experience in the sector and build a new network of extraordinary executives across Europe. Mentoring also allows you to gain a new perspective on the industry - being surrounded primarily by distribution and exhibition executives really enriches my knowledge of this sector. As a first-time mentor, I was delighted to find out that mentoring is a two way process: sessions with Maria were inspiring and a source of a great number of information and learnings for me as well. (…)
Zsofia Varga, Film Programming Manager, Everyman Cinemas, UK
One of the main reasons I wanted to join the program is to feel more connected to the industry and build impactful relationships. I will be celebrating 9 years at Everyman in January, and I am at a point of my career where I am seeking more responsibility, growth, and challenges. Working closely with a mentor felt like a great way to reflect on my career so far and to gain a new perspective on ways to develop. I never had an official mentor before, and I was excited to explore working so closely with someone from a different professional background.
Delfine Van Boxlaer, (ex) Director Talent & People, Cinionic, Belgium
I joined the UNIC WCLP programme as a mentor to inspire positive change and empower individuals through guidance. The strength of mentorship lies in building lasting connections, nurturing confidence, and facilitating knowledge transfer. I am committed to encouraging goal setting, helping Maria navigate challenges, and contributing to a ripple effect of success. The diversity of perspectives within the programme excites me, and I believe in the transformative power of paying it forward. Together, we can create a dynamic and supportive community, fostering personal and professional growth.
HOW WAS YOUR FIRST MEETING?
Isabel García, Commercial Director, ACEC Cines S.A., Spain
My first meeting was very straightforward. We shared both our academic and professional experiences in a transparent manner, and with the required confidentiality. We did not limit ourselves to objective data, but rather exchanged concerns and questions and roughly outlined how we wanted the sessions to go, addressing different specific topics with a defined final objective.
Tanya Easterman, CEO and Founder Daiku, UK
I have been blessed that throughout my career I have had some incredible women and men mentor me, either in the companies I have been working for at the time or people I have encountered via various professional groups I have been a member of. So, when the opportunity arose to be a mentor for the UNIC Women's Leadership Programme this year I jumped at the chance. It is so important to have a community of professional women with varying degrees of experience to share knowledge, support, offer guidance through shared experience and develop a safe space for us all to be able to communicate freely, without judgement or fear of repercussion. I am also a huge believer in 'paying it forward' to the next generation of female leaders.
Kristina Warner, VP Global Content Acquisition, D-Box Technologies, Canada
The first session went well. We shared each other's resumes and knew a little about each other from reading through those. We identified areas of interest for Pia, and plan on working through those during our next sessions. I think we are a good match and will learn from each other very well.
Melissa Delft, Senior Manager, Business Intelligence, Cinionic, Belgium
My first meeting as part of the mentoring programme went really well. I had the opportunity to connect with my mentor, and she provided valuable insights and guidance. We discussed my goals and how to achieve them in a phased approach to maintain our focus along the way. We established a recurring meeting schedule, and it is truly rewarding to have these moments to take a step back and reflect on topics that matter most to me. I am eagerly looking forward to the continued support and learning throughout the programme.
HOW HAVE THE SESSIONS BEEN FOR YOU SO FAR?
Pilar Sierra, Director, Gremi de Cinemes de Catalunya, Spain
The sessions we have had, especially the first two, were a big shock. Like I was in a cocktail shaker, being shaken awake. Because I had to do a big job of introspection and reflection to see where I was and how I was, professionally and also emotionally, and to be able to identify what type of objectives I had to define. I admit that it was not easy, it was challenging, but I had the essential guidance of my mentor, who guided me and redirected my plans until I understood exactly how I should design them. From there, the relationship, the sessions with my mentor, Christine, have flowed. We share work concerns and knowledge, and Christine is helping me organise my thoughts and objectives and also to know myself better from a professional point of view, with my strengths and also my weaknesses, to help me overcome them. We have also had the opportunity to meet physically in Barcelona and a great connection has been created.
Patricia Edeline F. Antunes, Chief Operating Officer, Sociedad cinematografica de centros comerciales, Spain
Above all, the programme is designed to develop a close and special relationship with your mentee, and you are not alone in this venture. The constant support of the UNIC team and the organised mentors’ meetings help you reassess and adjust the main objectives with your mentee. In any case, it is a unique opportunity to orientate and help grow a young female professional, who also has a lot to share and challenge you with new inputs.
Hana Peoples, Independent Film Programmer & Curator, Germany/US
The sessions with my mentor, Patricia Edeline, have been engaging, fun and supportive. Since I moved back to the United States at the beginning of November, our remote Zoom sessions have become a bit harder to schedule but the time we take to meet each month allows me to reconnect back to Europe and hear about exhibition news and trends. I am also in the midst of a major job hunt and Patricia has given me helpful advice to expand my searches within film and the wider arts and cultural sector, both in the United States and Europe. I am very grateful to have met Patricia through this programme.
Charline Baudry-Biancarelli, VP Global Marketing & Partnerships Strategy, ICE Theaters, France/US
The sessions thus far have exceeded my expectations in every regard, and Helen, my mentor, has made this journey truly transformative. Engaging with her over the past year has been profoundly enriching. Her wealth of experience in different industries has provided invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of our industry.
Helen's dedication to this mentoring programme, committing to 2 to 4 sessions every month, has provided a consistency that has been invaluable. I am immensely grateful for her unwavering support throughout the year. I believe what sets Helen's mentorship style apart is her ability to offer concrete advice and actionable steps and solutions. Walking away from every discussion with a clear plan of action has been incredibly empowering. Through our discussions, I have gained clarity, honed my decision-making skills, and garnered confidence in pursuing innovative ideas.
Additionally, Helen has illuminated the path to networking on an international scale, offering invaluable insights into approaching industry professionals with confidence.
Her guidance through our sessions has not only enriched my professional journey but has also equipped me with the tools and inspiration to navigate in an ever-evolving industry landscape.
Helen Moss, SVP International Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, US
I have thoroughly enjoyed my mentoring meetings with Charline. Whilst our initial plan as to how we were going to approach these sessions shifted quite significantly from our initial conversations, (that's the beauty of mentoring!) it's about being nimble and addressing the issues in hand. I particularly benefited from seeing someone who's significantly younger than me (!) navigate and find a voice to address the challenges and norms faced at work, some of which I would have just accepted 'as a given' earlier in my career.
I am proud to have helped empower Charline to face the challenges head on and seize opportunities by giving actionable and practical advice. Together, we have celebrated small wins and successes, built resilience, and I hope forged a lasting friendship.