What participants are saying

Mentees, being at the heart of this initiative, are provided with a valuable opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals. 

 

This exchange allows them to gain practical insights, enhance their skill sets, and navigate the challenges that come with professional and personal growth. 

Our participants

The testimonials from mentees are likely to reflect the transformative experiences they’ve had, the knowledge they’ve acquired, and the confidence they’ve gained through our mentorship program.

"It has been an amazing experience. Being able to meet other women with successful professional careers, who help me improve every day."
Iria Galiñanes Romero
CTAG
"It was very inspiring to meet people from different countries and hear their experiences. The meetings with my mentor were enjoyable and opened up opportunities ened up opportunities for a new job."
Pınar Çetin
Atölye Mutfak
"It was a fantastic experience because I've learned how to better manage my employees."
Marcella Onida
Green Social Bench srl
Being part of Strada has helped me to have a clear focus on where I want to be and what I want to do as a woman in manufacturing. Working with my mentor, a personal SWOT analysis has helped me to identify my strengths and weaknesses and to make plans for my future in terms of self-growth and fulfilment.
Jurgita Šimanskienė
UAB LVG Holding
"Being part of the 1st edition of the STRADA program as a mentee was a great pleasure and surprise. During the program, I had the chance to learn a wide variety of tools to apply in my current position. More than that, I gained self-confidence and trust in my personal and professional abilities. Another important fact was sharing the program with other women, and we had the opportunity to share our fears and experiences and also learn from other people how to overcome our professional and personal challenges.   Deolinda Isabel Fernandes da Silva"
Deolinda Isabel Fernandes da Silva
"I strongly recommend STRADA to all women who would like to achieve both personal and professional growth. High-quality teachers, variegate teaching topics and several possibilities to interact make this program unique and worth the commitment. Particularly, was I interested in the leadership development sessions, which I found very inspiring. However, what I liked most were the mentoring sessions, as I could receive specific advice on my job-related issues and felt enriched by my mentor's suggestions. Consequently, I rose awareness on my weaknesses and what I needed to improve so as to achieve my professional goals. Lastly, I remark the availability and kindness of the whole staff - thank you very much for your constant support!"
Chiara Marinelli
University of Trieste
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a mentee in the Strada program, which aims to promote and drive innovation and digitalization in manufacturing processes. This program has allowed us to connect with experienced professionals in the field who acted as mentors, generously sharing their expertise in the manufacturing sector. Throughout the program, we had the privilege of attending numerous webinars and online forums that covered key topics such as innovation, the benefits of digitalization for businesses, and entrepreneurship. These discussions have increased our understanding of key industry concepts and inspiring us to implement innovative solutions in our work. Being part of this initiative has been a transformative experience, equipping me with essential knowledge and connections that will undoubtedly drive positive changes in the metal sector's innovation landscape. I am truly thankful for the support, guidance, and learning opportunities that the program has provided."
Maria Dolores Romero
FEMPA-INNOMETALIA
Very interesting and challenging topics, the programme helps me to focus on my skills and the mentoring sessions helped me to deeply analize my goals and the avrion plant to achieve them
Maria Grazia Asci

Our Mentors

Mentors serve as the cornerstone in facilitating transformative experiences for mentees within the STRADA project. Their rich reservoir of knowledge and experience uniquely positions them to nurture, motivate, and empower the emerging cadre of professionals. While imparting their expertise, mentors also have the avenue to glean fresh insights from mentees, making the mentorship journey a reciprocal voyage of discovery.

"Thanks to Strada Program I had the opportunity to improve my skills in strategic topics and I could share experiencies with other women and be boost to try to make a change. Unfortunately there is so much to do to change the system, but together we can. And male should be involved in this changing, since the system is mainly based upon their need and characteristic. We need a system where also "ordinary" women can have responsabilities like "ordinary" man. We don't have to demonstrate that we are better than man to deserve an important role or job. "
Laura Carsaniga
CARSANIGA SRL
"My experience as a mentor in STRADA program has been incredibly rewarding. Over the past three years, as a young entrepreneur, I've developed my leadership abilities and accelerated my learning across various personal and business domains. Sharing my journey with a Ph.D. mentee from a diverse background led to a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives, reminding me that mentorship is a two-way learning experience."
Carmen Araquistain Portela
Despunte
"The "Women in Manufacturing" program provided me with an excellent opportunity to be a mentor and help my mentee develop leadership skills while sharing my own experiences. It was a great chance to reassess my knowledge and expertise, deepen my understanding of my profession, and simultaneously assist another woman in her growth. Collaborating with my mentee significantly enhanced my interpersonal skills and allowed us to explore ways for her to achieve her professional goals. My mentee displayed exceptional commitment and a constant thirst for learning, which inspired and delighted me. This program also fosters a sense of community, which is particularly important in the manufacturing industry. My impressions of this experience are positive, and I would gladly recommend the "Women in Manufacturing" program to both mentors and mentees looking to improve both their professional and personal lives. It was an invaluable experience that helped strengthen my interpersonal skills and contributed to the growth of the manufacturing community as a whole."
Zivile Ramoskiene
Ecogrant, MB
"The Strada program has given me the opportunity to practice my leadership skills outside of our startup, sharing my experiences, insights, and, more importantly, listening to the mentee’s aspirations and concerns. To empower another is to give them the tools and confidence to shape their destiny. If my journey serves as a beacon of inspiration for the mentee, making her believe in her potential, then I consider my leadership journey a success."
Ann LoCicero
smartFAB
"Mentoring is an enriching experience for both the Mentor and the Mentee. STRADA has provided me with a well designed programme, methodology and tools that complement my past experience as a Mentor. I have learnt from the mentoring needs and feedback received from my Mentee and I have been inspired by her enthusiasm and bright potential."
Paloma Lozano
Paloma Lozano
"STRADA's light touch programme gives flexibility for the mentee and mentor - gain and get are proportional!"
Nicole Ballantyne
MESTEC Limited
"The programme has supported in my leadership development how to understand my mentee's needs and how to set actual goals, and how well I can communicate & manage with my mentee.This leadership journey encouraged the both me and my mentee to share our insights."
Dr. Begüm Önal
B-NL Academy & Consultancy

STRADA – Empowering Women in Manufacturing

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Triin Kõrgmaa
CEO / Member of the Board – Salvest AS
Triin Kõrgmaa has been in the food industry for 15 years. She has worked in various positions in several large Estonian companies, such as Valio Eesti and HKScan Estonia. She currently manages one of the largest and best known food companies in Estonia – Salvest. In addition to being CEO of Salvest, she is also a member of the board.

Photo by Stina Lill

Marju Zirel
Head of Investor Relations – AS Tallinna Sadam

 

Marju Zirel first joined the Port of Tallinn 16 years ago and has held various financial positions there, as treasurer, EU project manager and IPO project manager. Today she is working as the group head of investor relations. She has been a finance manager in an international manufacturing-construction company and logistics-transport company, and previously also worked in the finance department of the Tartu City Government. In addition, Marju is a member of the TalTech Logistics Programme Advisory Board.

Photo from Tallinna Sadam gallery

Helina Põldemaa
Verification Engineer – Karl Storz
Helina Põldemaa is an alumnus of the University of Tartu with a bachelor’s degree in physics, a master’s degree and a doctorate in materials science. Over four years ago, after completing the second year of her doctoral studies, Helina joined the medical equipment manufacturer Karl Storz Video Endoscopy Estonia OÜ as a full-time validation engineer. By now, she has gathered about 1.5 years of experience as a validation manager at Karl Storz.

Photo by Sigrid Proosvelt

Triin Anette Kaasik
CEO / Member of the Board – Data Print OÜ
Triin Anette Kaasik has 30 years of management experience in various Estonian manufacturing companies such as Sangar, Estiko-Plastar and today Data Print. In addition to her everyday manufacturing work, she is involved in community life, being a member of Tartu Hansa Rotary Club and Tartu City Government.

Photo by Merle Värv

Liisa Luhaste
Manager – Moe OÜ
Liisa Luhaste has worked in the spirits industry close to 10 years. Started off as a technician in the laboratory of Rakvere Spirits Factory and working now as the manager of Moe Distillery. Master’s degree in chemistry has helped her dive deep into production and development of drinks whilst it being considered a masculine area.

Photo from private gallery

Kaire Kuldpere
Head of Environment and Sustainability – AS Utilitas Eesti
Kaire Kuldpere is the Head of Environment and Sustainability of the energy group Utilitas. She has long-term work and leadership experience in the fields of environment, energy, infrastructure and sustainability in general.

Previously, as Audit Manager at the National Audit Office of Estonia, Kaire was involved in organizing and conducting audits in the fields of energy, environment, state infrastructure, transport and IT. She started her career as a consultant and project manager in the field of energy and environment. She holds a Master’s degree in Heat Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Environmental Protection Technology.

Photo by Jake Farra

Emöke Sogenbits
Managing Director / Member of Management Board – Raumedic Estonia AS
Emöke Sogenbits served in numerous positions of leadership in operations over the course of her long international career. She has been working in several supply chain, global sourcing and operations management positions in China, Central Europe and USA.

Photo by Andras Kralla

Sirli Männiksaar
Head of Supply Site Tallinn / Chairman of the Board – Ericsson Eesti AS
Sirli Männiksaar is the Country Manager of Ericsson Estonia and the Head of Supply Site. Sirli has a Master of Science in Product Development and she has also studied Quality Management. She’s been in Ericsson since 2004 and has worked with supply chain, strategy, digital transformation and management quality. For the last three years, she worked for the global Ericsson digitization organization, creating, among other things, machine learning models with her team.

Today Sirli leads the innovation-driven supply site in Tallinn, where latest 4G and 5G products are industrialized for clients all around the world.

 

Photo by Rauno Liivand