What does a successful mentorship look like? Through the Women in Business Club’s Mentorship Program, students find both guidance and growth. In this post, Paulina Koutroubis (MBA 26, mentor) and Annabelle Akintoye (MBA 27, mentee) go behind the scenes to share their personal stories and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Hi Paulina & Annabelle, thank you for sharing your experience with us. Please introduce yourself briefly. What motivated you to join the WIB mentorship program?
P: I’m Paulina, a second-year MBA student at IESE who pivoted from a 11-year career in Asset Management into Strategy Consulting at BCG. I joined the WIB mentorship program because lifting others up is central to who I am. I care deeply about giving back, creating access, and putting the ladder down for women coming after me. I don’t believe in gatekeeping – if something I’ve learned can help someone else grow, I want to share it.
A: I’m Annabelle, a first-year MBA student with a background in Strategy, M&A and Insurance, looking to pivot into the Start-Up and Entrepreneurship space by starting my own company. Just by being an incoming first year, you are automatically included in the mentorship program, which I think is great.
How were you matched? What were your initial expectations or goals from this mentorship experience?
P: We were matched by the WIB committee, who did an excellent job pairing us! (Thank you, Elishka!) Annabelle and I both came to IESE from London, and we were both looking to shift industries. That shared professional context, and our sporty hobbies, made the match feel natural.
My initial expectations were to support her with IESE basics: navigating school, coursework, and settling into Barcelona. My main goal was to be present and available in the same way my own mentors have been for me (a big thank you to my biggest champion, Samantha Pandolfi, who has helped me learn the tricks and skills I need to grow as a person, professional, and now, mentor).
A: As I was a first round applicant, I was looking for support pre and during the MBA. Someone to ask my ‘silly’ questions to around visas, housing, tech requirements, scheduling etc. I received an email from WIB very quickly after IESE gave me my offer. Which means you have your mentor before you have even decided whether you are going to accept or not (to me though, it was a no brainer).
How did you feel when you first met your mentor/mentee? What has the experience been like so far?
P: I was excited when we first met, especially knowing we’d both worked in London and had similar industry backgrounds (though I wish I was a fraction of the athlete she is!). We connected online to meet and for initial help with a mock interview, and then in-person when she visited me at BCG London during my internship, both before Annabelle’s IESE start, which helped us build rapport early.
The experience since then has been consistently positive. Annabelle knows herself, and she makes active decisions about where she wants to put her energy and effort. Her proactivity means our conversations are focused and meaningful, whether it’s connecting her with other students like Oba leading the Fintech club, helping her prepare for a pre-MBA Bain Australia interview, or talking through housing, restaurants, and settling into Barcelona. The relationship works because she drives it, and I can support her momentum.
A: I was excited to talk to someone who was going through the journey I was about to embark on the next year. Paulina reached out as soon as we were paired and remained available to speak to throughout the year.
I have loved having Paulina as a mentor. She is incredibly switched on, super generous with her time and knowledge, and now a good friend. I came into the MBA with a very broad idea of what I wanted to do, that was outside of the standard consulting or finance tracks, and Paulina has been great at supporting me through that journey of discovery. Added bonus is that I’ve met her cat Erika, who is so cute!
A day out at the beach with other Women in Business Club mentors and mentees
How is this mentorship program unique compared to any that you’ve experienced before? What do you like the most about it?
P: This program is unique because it connects people during a real moment of transition, and that timing makes the support more impactful. It’s also more personal than other mentorship programs I’ve been part of, even at IESE. Annabelle and I approach it with openness, curiosity, and the intention to genuinely help each other, not just to exchange information. We share background, values, and humor, which makes it easy to build trust. She sees me as a person and not someone to solely take or gain from, which I appreciate.
A: Mentorship programs can often feel quite transactional, but I think because we are only “a year” apart, the relationship, for me at least, focuses less on “how can you help me get to where you are”, and more on “what did you learn in the last year that would be beneficial to know?” with regards to studying approach, clubs and socials etc.
Any moments that stood out so far that you want to highlight? We would love to hear any examples you have of impactful conversation or advice you have received.
P: Our conversations about priorities and trade-offs have been especially meaningful: how to balance interests, evaluate opportunities, and make choices aligned with long-term goals. I’ve also appreciated the moments where we step outside the IESE bubble, meeting off campus to talk about life, identity, and the things that energize us. Those personal touchpoints turn a mentorship into a real relationship.
Meet Erika, Paulina’s cat!
A: I have to agree with Paulina, for me the best moments have been outside of the IESE bubble (as wonderful as it is). Then whilst there, great moments have come from discussing priorities and plans for the future. It’s always great to hear someone else’s perspective, and it’s usually with new perspectives that I’m able to move past a previous career road block or uncertainty.
Outside of education/careers, I have already mentioned Erika (Paulina’s cat), and I had the honour of cat sitting for her recently! Knowing we had built this relationship to the point where I was trusted to look after Erika, filled me with joy!
How has this mentorship influenced your personal or professional growth? What have you learned so far and what are you looking forward to?
P: This relationship has reminded me how much I value building supportive, intentional communities. It sharpened my own leadership style, which is rooted in empathy, accessibility, and encouragement, and showed me how motivating it is to help someone navigate the same transitions I recently made myself. I’m looking forward to seeing Annabelle step confidently into the opportunities she creates for herself and continue growing into the leader she already is in so many ways.
A: Personally, it has just reinforced my commitment to trying something different in my career and stepping out of my comfort zone. Paulina has been very supportive of all my ideas and my self-imposed timeline for starting a business or working at a start up, so it’s been great having her as a sounding board!
I’m looking forward to being a mentor myself now! The sign-up form just went out to help with the Class of 2028, can’t believe it’s come round that fast already. I’m also looking forward to watching Paulina’s journey as she goes on exchange next semester and then graduates.
How can incoming students make the most of this program? What advice would you give future mentors and mentees?
P: Be proactive and make an effort. If you’re a mentor, show up consistently and follow through on what you commit to. If you’re a mentee, take ownership, reach out, ask questions, and drive the conversation. People want to support you, but they need to know you’re engaged.
Above all, invest in the relationship itself. The value of this program comes from human connection.
Thank you to the WIB club for making this possible!
A: I’d just emphasise what Paulina said. The mentor/mentee experience is what you make of it. You get out what you put in.
Thank you WIB for the initiative and I can’t wait to meet the class of 2028!
Written by Paulina Koutroubis, MBA 26 & Annabelle Akintoye, MBA 27
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