It has always been important for Women in Localization (W.L.) to provide mentoring opportunities for its members, as this is essential for their professional growth and development. What originally started as a manual matching initiative has evolved over time into a sophisticated, tech-driven mentoring platform that connects mentors and mentees across the globe.
In 2023, Global Community Mentoring Team worked tirelessly to modernize the program, leveraging technology to scale mentorship in ways never seen before in any organization in the localization industry. They’ve transformed the program from a manual process into a streamlined, innovative platform that puts the power in the hands of mentors and mentees. Mentees now have the freedom to choose their mentors, browse as many profiles as they like, and mentors can approve or decline requests at their convenience, with matches happening instantly once profiles are saved. The platform also provides checklists and reference materials to guide both mentors and mentees, making the experience more efficient.
This interview explores the journey of two W.L. Mentorship Team leaders, Margarita Nuñez and Joanna Tarasiewicz, their accomplishments, and their vision for the future of mentorship in localization.
What drove Women in Localization to launch a tech-driven mentoring platform?
Margarita: Mentorship has always been at the heart of Women in Localization, and for years, it was managed manually (think Excels) by dedicated in-country volunteers. While this approach worked, it became increasingly clear that the demand for mentorship was growing beyond what we could handle. By 2023, it was obvious that we needed to innovate to keep up with the scale of the organization and the number of members seeking mentorship. We saw technology as the key to unlocking that scalability.
Joanna: The decision to go digital wasn’t just about solving an operational issue—it was about taking mentorship to the next level. Women in Localization had always been ahead of the curve in supporting women’s careers, but the mentoring program needed to evolve to match the growing needs of our members. These needs include greater flexibility, faster and more personalized mentor-mentee matching, and access to resources that can support meaningful, career-shaping mentorship experiences.
The vision was to launch a platform that didn’t just pair people based on availability, but that used data and technology to match mentors and mentees in more meaningful ways. The platform benefits members by matching mentors and mentees based on shared goals, professional expertise, and personal interests, creating relevant relationships. This ensures that mentees receive guidance that aligns with their career aspirations while mentors engage with mentees whose goals resonate with their own experiences.
The support from the Board, Chapters, Global Community, and other volunteers involved was enormous, and Margarita and I spearheaded the execution, working closely with our technology provider, MentorEase, to ensure the platform would meet our specific needs.
How did you help shape the development of the platform?
Margarita: Creating a modern platform to meet the evolving needs of our members was no easy feat. We began by identifying the challenges of the manual process, such as delays in matching and limited member control, and envisioned a solution that would streamline and enhance the experience for both mentors and mentees. My background is in management, business development, and marketing, which helped me deliver the MentorEase platform on schedule and within budget. It was my job to keep the project moving, coordinate between our internal team and MentorEase, and ensure that we reached the program’s original objectives. My focus on gathering data, managing the Mentoring Team, testing the product, and writing the guidelines ensured that we had a strong foundation of information to create the new Mentoring Program. Finally, I also planned the launch and marketing of the platform to encourage members to join in great numbers.
Joanna: Drawing on our expertise in project management, marketing, and data analysis, we provided input and guidance to ensure the platform was intuitive, effective, and aligned with members’ needs. Every step was taken with the goal of empowering members with greater autonomy, faster connections, and tools to foster meaningful and impactful mentorship relationships. My focus was on the technical and strategic side of things. I worked closely with the technology provider to develop the algorithm to power the mentor-mentee matching process. This was a critical piece, as we wanted the platform to make smart, personalized matches that would lead to more successful mentorships. My own experience as a mentor really shaped how I worked on the algorithm and platform—ensuring that the matches were thoughtful and meaningful, not just efficient.
In 2024, I took on the Global Community Mentorship Lead role, guiding the final stages of the platform’s development. I also had the opportunity to present our revamped program at a discussion panel titled Mentorship — How Investing in People Is the Best Investment You Can Make at LocWorld in Malmö in 2023. During the panel, I highlighted how the new platform would revolutionize the experience for Women in Localization members. That was a huge milestone, not just for the platform but for Margarita and me personally, as it showcased the culmination of our efforts.
The algorithm seems to be a key innovation in the platform. Can you tell us more about how it works and what makes it unique?
Joanna: The algorithm is really the heart of the platform’s innovation. The algorithm simplifies the process—members just sign up, and the platform does the rest, delivering tailored matches instantly based on goals and preferences. Mentees can choose their mentors, mentors can approve matches, and both gain immediate access to tools like checklists and progress trackers to support a seamless and goal-driven mentorship experience.
This personalized approach is what sets the platform apart. The localization industry is incredibly diverse, with professionals working in various areas like project management, technical localization, media localization, and more. We wanted the platform to reflect that diversity by offering more precise matches.
The development and testing of this algorithm required a lot of work. It’s one thing to create an algorithm, but ensuring it meets the needs of a global audience, especially one as dynamic as the localization community, was a real challenge.
Margarita: The algorithm is a game-changer because while the technology does a lot of heavy lifting, it still allows for flexibility. Mentors and mentees can review their matches and ensure they feel like a good fit before committing to a partnership. This ensures that the personal, human element of mentorship isn’t lost.
What were some of the challenges you faced while developing the platform, and how did you overcome them?
Margarita: One of the biggest challenges was dealing with so many aspects of the projects, especially the technical side, implementation, testing, GDPR, etc. The platform needed to meet our unique requirements, so we worked closely with MentorEase to implement features like time zone flexibility, the option to meet in person or virtually, and the ability to choose preferred virtual meeting tools. We also focused on creating specific profile fields, allowing mentors to list areas in which they could provide guidance while mentees could select the areas where they needed support, ensuring more precise matching. Collecting data from past mentors and mentees and ensuring that the platform reflected the real needs of the community required a lot of coordination. What helped me overcome these challenges was working with another passionate person like Joanna and the wider support of the Women in Localization directors’ group.
Joanna: From my perspective, one of the most significant challenges was ensuring that the platform’s technology was sophisticated enough to handle the complexities of this project. The algorithm had to be flexible yet precise, and that required a lot of trial and error. I worked closely with the W.L. Technology Team to ensure that every part of the platform was safe, intuitive, and user-friendly, but that also meant balancing many technical details.
The other challenge was ensuring that the platform could cater to members working in different regions, industries, and roles, which added another layer of complexity. To address this, we focused on the profiles, allowing mentors and mentees to provide detailed information such as location, industry, and role, which are visible once a match is suggested. Mentees can easily browse multiple mentor profiles, review the relevant details, and select the mentor that best fits their needs before sending a request. While the algorithm suggests potential matches, the final decision is left entirely up to the users, giving them full control over their connections. Open-ended questions in the profiles allow both mentors and mentees to provide additional insights, making the matching process more personalized.
But through it all, Margarita and I had an incredible team of volunteers, tech experts, and organizational leaders supporting us. It was very much a collective effort, and we both made sure to drive the vision and execution forward.
What advice do you have for women in the localization industry looking to benefit from mentoring?
Margarita: My advice is simple—take the leap and get involved. Whether you’re looking to be a mentee or a mentor, the platform offers opportunities that can help you grow in ways you might not even expect. Mentorship is one of the most powerful tools for career development, and the connections you make through this platform can have a lasting impact.
Joanna: I’d echo that. The localization industry is incredibly dynamic, and the opportunities for growth are endless if you have the right guidance. The platform is designed to connect you with someone who can help you reach your goals. It’s a tool for empowerment, and we’ve worked hard to make sure it can truly transform careers.
The success of Women in Localization’s mentoring platform is a testament to innovation, leadership, and the power of mentorship. While the journey to develop this program was a collective effort, implementing the MentorEase platform was pivotal in transforming the Mentorship Program into what it is today: a tech-driven, scalable solution that offers a user-driven approach that empowers both mentors and mentees to find the right connections easily. For Women in Localization members, this means access to a flexible, efficient, and personalized mentoring experience that can help them advance their careers and expand their networks in a rapidly evolving industry.
We would like to acknowledge the incredible support Women in Localization receives from our generous sponsors, and we offer our heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers, platform testers, and everyone who has supported us on this journey. A special thank you goes out to all the mentors and mentees of Women in Localization.
How Can W.L. Members Become Mentors or Sign Up for a Mentor?
Joining the Women in Localization Mentorship Program is a simple process that offers great opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Step 1: To become a mentee, you must first be a member of Women in Localization. If you’re not yet a member, you can easily sign up to gain access to mentorship opportunities and a network of professionals. Mentors, however, are not required to be members of Women in Localization to participate in the program.
Step 2: The next step is to register and create your profile on the mentorship platform. Mentors will provide details about their areas of expertise and interests, while mentees will outline the guidance they’re seeking. The platform then helps pair mentors and mentees based on their profiles. As a mentee, you can browse through mentor profiles and select the one that best aligns with your goals. You can send a request to your chosen mentor and wait. Once they accept, you’re ready to connect with your mentor and start setting mentorship goals.
Mentorships are flexible in terms of duration. While many mentorships last for a few months, others can extend depending on the goals and mutual agreement between the mentor and mentee. The frequency of meetings is also adaptable—typically, mentors and mentees meet once a month.
During mentorship sessions, mentors provide valuable guidance on a range of topics such as career development, leadership, industry trends, and work-life balance. Mentees benefit from personalized advice and insights that can help them advance in their careers and expand their professional networks.
Mentors gain leadership experience and the satisfaction of giving back to the community, while mentees receive tailored support to help them navigate their career paths in the localization field.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re seeking mentorship or want to offer your expertise, the Women in Localization Mentorship Program is here to support you. Sign up as a Mentor or Mentee today!