In our MentorHER Spotlight series, we're catching up with previous mentors and mentees to hear about their experiences, the connections they've made and the difference mentoring has made to their professional journeys. This time, we're hearing from Betty Burrell.
As we prepare for MentorHER Cohort 4, delivered through Manchester Digital's DigitalHER programme in partnership with Autotrader, applications are now open for women at the beginning of their digital and technology careers, alongside experienced women who would like to support the next generation of talent.
Applications close Sunday 8 November. Find out more and apply for MentorHER Cohort 4.
Name: Betty Burrell
Role: Mentor
Position at time of programme: Marketing Manager
Mentee's position: Technology Business Partner
What were your highlights from being involved with MentorHER?
One of the best parts of mentoring Olivia was learning about a technical role I'd never been exposed to. Her background at Home Bargains gave her real depth of knowledge about the technical side of her job, and she was generous in sharing it.
Olivia was also studying for a PhD alongside four days a week in her role, a genuinely hard juggling act. We worked together on how she could manage her time across both, breaking the competing demands into something more manageable.
She worked for a large retailer with a distinctive approach to adopting new technology and AI, and it was fascinating watching her try to influence that from a relatively junior position. I helped her think through how to pitch her ideas to the business and where to focus her energy for the greatest impact. The experience also introduced me to a much wider group of people across Manchester's digital and tech sector.
What did you learn about yourself?
Mentoring was a challenge at first. Olivia's career path wasn't a direct match for my own experience, so I had to work out how to help without simply drawing on my own journey. It pushed me to communicate more clearly about management capabilities and to talk through the specific challenges she was facing.
It also taught me something about managing an age gap. I've line managed from a young age myself, but most of my junior staff have been close to my own age, so mentoring someone younger stretched that side of my management style. Above all, it showed me how much personal development overlaps across roles, whatever industry or job title someone has.
Why would you recommend the programme?
You'll likely build a lasting connection with someone you'd never otherwise have met, and the programme opens the door to a much wider network of interesting people across the sector.
It's also a really great opportunity to develop your own management skills. Stepping back to manage someone whose day-to-day challenges you haven't lived through yourself is a different kind of leadership exercise. On top of that, the programme itself is well organised, and I came away with a much stronger understanding of mentoring and coaching as a discipline in their own right.
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Applications are now open
Applications for MentorHER Cohort 4 are open to both mentors and mentees until Sunday 8 November 2026.
Whether you're at the beginning of your digital or technology career and looking for guidance, or you're an experienced professional who would like to support the next generation of women in tech, MentorHER offers an opportunity to get involved.
