Mentorship & Career Development
Role: Mentor, Product Design Lead & Manager
Organization: Corpay (Fintech), Loblaws (Reatail)
Team size: 6 Product Designers and 2 Researchers
Overview
Mentorship isn’t just about teaching skills. It’s about building trust, giving honest feedback, and helping people feel confident in who they are and where they want to go. I believe in leading by example. I show up with integrity, empathy, and accountability so my team feels supported and empowered to grow. When designers know someone’s got their back, they’re more motivated and do better work.
How I Do Mentorship
Regular One-on-Ones
​I make time to meet regularly, not just to talk about work, but to check in on how they’re feeling, what they want to learn, and any challenges they’re dealing with. It’s about keeping the conversation real and supportive.
Personalized Support
​Everyone’s goals are different. Some want to become true experts in design and research, some want to lead teams, and some want to explore new areas. I treat each person uniquely, helping them follow the path that fits them best.
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Encouraging Growth
​I’m all for learning, whether that’s books, courses, or workshops. When someone wants to grow, I do my best to remove any obstacles that might get in their way, so they can actually take those chances.
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Open Door Policy
I want my team to know I’m always available. No question is too small or too silly. If something’s on their mind, they can come talk to me anytime.
How I Support Career Growth
Clear Growth Paths
I make sure everyone knows what growth means on the team, what skills to build, what steps they can take, and what options are open to them. It helps them see the path ahead.
Stretch Opportunities
I look for projects or chances that challenge them just enough to help them grow without feeling overwhelmed. It’s about pushing the comfort zone a bit, not throwing them in the deep end.
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Regular Check-Ins
Every few months, we sit down to revisit goals and plans. This keeps things moving forward and makes sure nothing gets forgotten or stuck along the way.
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Celebrate Progress
I believe in recognizing all progress, big or small. Celebrating wins keeps motivation high and helps people feel proud of how far they’ve come.
What Comes Out of It
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Designers feel more confident about where they’re headed and how to get there.
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The team feels more motivated and takes more ownership.
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People trust me and each other more.
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We keep more great designers around and help them move up.
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Growth becomes part of everyday work, not just a yearly talk.
What I’ve Learned
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Everyone’s different, so you have to listen and be flexible.
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Trust doesn’t happen overnight; it’s built over honest conversations.
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Mentorship is a two-way street; I learn a lot from my team too.