Here are the 17 Growth Mentors of January 2025

1. Yuliya Andreyuk

Describe yourself

I’m a forward-thinking leader showcasing 11+ years of building and leading marketing and growth efforts. I’ve had the privilege of launching products for industry leaders such as Meta, Gucci, Vidyo, RingCentral, Zegna, Ubisoft, Playtika and many more. I’ve orchestrated growth across multiple sectors, leading teams that generated pipelines above $40 million and achieved two consecutive years of 160% year-over-year revenue growth.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

For the past year and a half, I have had the privilege of mentoring senior marketers, an experience that has been both rewarding and inspiring. I’m now furthering my commitment to leadership by pursuing certification as a Business Coach (IFC), equipping myself to offer deeper insights and partner more effectively with business leaders in their growth and development.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

In a team setting, a growth mindset encourages continuous learning, skill enhancement, and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. It encourages leaders to prioritize long-term team development, creating a culture where improvement is ongoing and failure is seen as a learning opportunity rather than a setback. It is an ongoing process of questioning everything you know and constantly looking for new ways to scale your business.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Growth Leadership. I think it’s one of the most important topics today because compared to product marketing or any other discipline, every company understands growth in a different way. Sometimes it’s very challenging to understand the right way to build a growth team or how to build cross-functional collaboration.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

It’s critical to consider multiple factors that may be contributing to the issue. My approach typically starts with evaluating the marketing funnel and user journey, followed by assessing potential product challenges or the sales funnel in the case of a Sales-led motion. In my experience, these areas often reveal key opportunities for improvement. However, it’s equally important to investigate and analyze external factors that may also be influencing the situation.

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2. Vanessa Forslev

Describe yourself

Twin Cities native. 15 years scaling People, Culture & performance in music/ecomm/fin/marketing tech. Guided teams through M&A, IPOs, and extreme growth.

A mom, gardener, and language nerd going on her own entrepreneurial journey and keen to help others do the same.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I believe in the power of helping others

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

Growth mindset opens up doors and possibilities. It means thinking “what if” before saying “that won’t work.” It means believing in your own potential and capability to do hard things. It means assuming positive intent with others, and with oneself.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

I’m a big believer in the inner work we have to do in order to become better leaders, better entrepreneurs, better citizens of the world. We are not one thing, we are many things and we are constantly evolving. Our lives should reflect that.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

Ask questions! Answers are often already there, you just have to uncover them. If I feel ready to offer my advice, I ask permission to do so.

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3. Thomas Christensen

Describe yourself

I love building business software and have been in products for the past 10 years.

Most recently, I built and ran three product teams at VEED. Before that, I co-founded an enterprise saas business.

My experience is specifically strong in Product-led growth and team operations.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

Coaching and mentoring were the parts of my full-time role that gave me the most energy and sense of fulfillment, and I miss it.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

It’s a combination of a will to change and a belief that skills and abilities can be developed with effort.

When you have a growth mindset, you see failure as an opportunity for learning. Feedback as a gift. And the unknown as an exciting opportunity to grow.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Product Management, because I love the craft and I’m good at figuring out the beautiful mess.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

People usually subconsciously know what the root cause of a problem is. You just can’t see it at the surface when you’re in it.

The root analysis I tend to do is therefore one or more variations of the five whys to bring it to the surface.

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4. Serhat Hocazade

Describe yourself

Senior marketing executive driving measurable growth: 15+ years experience, $100M+ budget management, $1B+ pipeline influence. Track record: 60x revenue growth, $100M funding raised, leading 50+ member teams. Specialized in B2B SaaS GTM strategies across multiple sectors.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I enjoy it when my advice helps startups succeed, and I would love to create a steady pipeline of such opportunities through a platform like this.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

It’s about seeing improvement in a continuous process

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Growth experiments for long sales cycle B2B SAAS companies.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

1. Data Collection and Analysis
2. Deep Investigation
3.  Testing and Validation
4.  Implementation and Monitoring

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5. Pete Walton

Describe yourself

I’ve spent the past 12+ years launching multiple startups, mentoring dozens more through Google Launchpad, and helping hundreds of businesses thrive with Google Ads. I love enabling others to pursue impactful and passionate products. I’m best at strategic thinking, creative ideation, and driving performance marketing.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I’ve been a part of startups and have helped them grow for 12 years and I love helping others find success!

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

It’s the removal of “good” or “bad” when evaluating an experience. Rather, it’s about learning and applying a lesson every step of the way. Each step compounds until you reach transformational improvement.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Going from 1 to 1000. When you have a kernel of product-market fit, how do we maximize that fit and begin to scale?

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

Spending a lot of time making sure we are focused on the right problem rather than rushing to solutions. This means going deep on the “why” (e.g., first principles, 5 whys) behind the problem. Once we have a clear problem statement, we generate lots of ideas of possible causes and categorize them through a discrete framework (MECE). Then start to hypothesize and run analysis to validate direction. Whatever route is chosen, should have separate pieces of evidence to support the the hypo for root cause. Then you can have a clear sense of the problem. However, this is all very thorough and may need to be slimmed down based on the size of the problem.

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6. Madeleine Clouteau

Describe yourself

I am a Senior Product Manager with over 7 years of experience leading B2C and B2B products across diverse industries. I specialize in driving revenue growth (e.g., +91% revenue increase) by enhancing product-market fit, launching scalable features, and optimizing payment systems and user engagement strategies.

Passionate about transforming challenges into growth opportunities, I bring expertise in discovery, strategy, and execution to help teams build impactful, market-ready products.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I recently worked with an incredible mentor who helped me grow exponentially, and I believe now is a great time for me to give back.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

To me, a growth mindset is about embracing complexity, adaptability, and continuous learning.

The frameworks I rely on—are Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Deleuze’s concepts of ‘becoming’ and ‘multitudes’, and the Nike slogan ‘Just do it’. Those three notions reflect my belief in progress, evolution, and action. They guide me to stay curious, push boundaries, and turn ideas into impact, even in high-pressure, uncertain environments.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Frameworks for Product Discovery, Launch Strategies, and Driving Revenue by Building Better Products.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

My approach to identifying the root cause of a problem involves analyzing three key areas—customer, business, and technology—to get a complete picture:

Customer Insight – I examine trends, and forecasts, and conduct customer interviews to understand behaviors, pain points, and needs.
Business Strategy – I evaluate the monetization strategy, competitive landscape, and market positioning to assess alignment with business goals.
Technology and Data – I analyze product data, metrics, and system performance to pinpoint bottlenecks and prioritize the areas with the highest impact.

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7. Loretta Wong

Describe yourself

Hi everyone:)

I am an experienced tech professional with 10 years of experience at Google supporting companies across all regions and products. My key areas of expertise include app development, international expansion, digital marketing and growth strategy, branding & creatives, UX design, digital transformation and AI/ML. I am a mentor for Google for Startups and also Techstars.

Happy to share my knowledge and experience with you.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

IHappy to share my 10-years knowledge of growing global companies of all sizes to start-ups:)

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

Stay Hungry, Stay Curious 🙂

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Growth

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

This is a two-way communication – through understanding the company and it’s unique challenges, we are able to brainstorm what we might be able to do alternatively referencing companies that might have gone through similar situations.

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8. Julia Günther

Describe yourself

Experienced in B2B marketing and passionate about partner marketing strategies. Thrive in collaborative environments with a track record of success in start-up/scale-up, agency, and Forbes 500 company settings. Passionate about collaborating with diverse stakeholders both within and outside the company, people management, and scaling marketing efforts for company growth. Lived in six countries, originally from Austria, now based in vibrant London, UK. Continuously curious and dedicated to self-improvement.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I’d love to give back and it brings me joy to mentor and support others.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

To me, a growth mindset means recognizing that you have the power to shape your own life and who you become. It’s about believing that, through education, dedication, and consistent effort, you can evolve into the best version of yourself. A growth mindset enables you to achieve your goals by steadily acquiring the skills, knowledge, and resilience needed to reach them, one step at a time. It’s a powerful way to take control of your journey and embrace personal growth as an ongoing process.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

It would be Partner Marketing, as this is something I’ve been specializing in for the past several years. I have valuable knowledge to share in this area, and it’s also something I’m truly passionate about.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

To pinpoint the root cause of a problem, I would use effective questioning techniques and active listening. As a certified professional coach, I’ve learned that coaching someone often allows them to uncover the root of the issue themselves, fostering deeper understanding and ownership of the solution.

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9. John McKinney

Describe yourself

I’m a passionate marketer with nearly a decade of experience driving growth for organizations across industries. I enjoy solving complex challenges by combining data, creativity, and strategy to deliver impactful results—whether it’s building a marketing department from scratch, scaling new client acquisition, or developing innovative campaigns that resonate. I enjoy inspiring others, fostering growth, and creating clarity to build bridges that make a lasting impact.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I no longer manage a large team and I miss helping others grow in their marketing knowledge as it’s a passion of mine.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

To me, it’s that failure isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Failure is an additional data point that allows us to learn and grow. Fail fast and iterate.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Determining the right strategy and messaging for your specific audience. You can create the most amazing content in the world, but if it doesn’t resonate with your audience, then it’s the wrong content.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

For me, it’s all about asking questions and stripping away assumptions. Asking why something may be happening or not happening. As well as looking at data when applicable to inform the decision.

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10. John Caiozzo

Describe yourself

I’m a proud girl dad, husband, and SEO professional with over 11 years of experience helping businesses grow their organic presence. I got my start building websites and discovered a passion for SEO along the way. Over the years, I’ve worked with dozens of name brands and publicly traded companies, both agency-side and in-house, leading initiatives that improve search visibility, drive traffic, and deliver measurable business results.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

With my extensive expertise in technical SEO, eCommerce strategy, and leading cross-functional teams to drive impactful results for major brands like Petco, Mattel, and World Market, I have a unique ability to mentor others in navigating complex digital challenges and unlocking growth opportunities.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

Embracing challenges, continuously seeking opportunities to learn and improve, and applying creative problem-solving to deliver impactful results.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

SEO – I love the constant change and evolution in this industry and the meaningful impact an SEO strategy can have on the right business.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

First I try to understand the context of the problem and the data behind it, then I try to break down the problem into smaller segments to identify patterns and test hypotheses to isolate potential causes.

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11. Joel Livermore

Describe yourself

Hey there! I’m a Product Manager with over 7 years of experience establishing and scaling product teams with rapid-growth startups and scale-ups. My experience is within B2C marketplaces and B2B SaaS and I specialize in product strategy and data-driven product management and growth. If you’re a founder or CEO struggling to hand over the reins or unsure of your next phase of growth, get in touch.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

To grow my network, embed myself further in the startup community, and potentially gain some clients along the way

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

A growth mindset to me, is one that is open and inviting to challenge and is a belief that ability and results can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. I believe failures can also provide the greatest learning opportunities, and embracing these and taking calculated risks allow teams to continuously strive for continuous improvement and outcomes

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Product market fit (PMF). This is the biggest challenge for most start-ups and founders and nailing this as early as possible is crucial for future success

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

First, it’s important to define what the problem is and how or when it occurs. Then collect any data that can be used to better understand and isolate any variables or factors. Next, ask ‘why’ for each of the symptoms observed to drill down to the root cause(s). Finally agree on a resolution to each of the root causes and measure again to confirm if the problem is resolved.

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12. Francisca Crespo

Describe yourself

With over a decade of experience leading cross-functional teams across various industries, I am passionate about leveraging design as a tool for social good. My journey has been marked by a commitment to creating user-centered products that not only drive business growth but also contribute positively to society.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I became a mentor because I believe in giving back to the design + product community that has supported me. Sharing what I’ve learned helps others grow, and I find fulfillment in guiding someone as they develop their skills and confidence in their careers.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

Active Curiosity allied with Positive Perseverance

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Product and Design

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

Uncover User Problems by exploring the Problem Space, I interview users, pinpoint business needs, talk to experts. This Discoverability process aims to gain informed confidence until I’m ready to design and create.

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13. Daniel Schapira

Describe yourself

I advise growing B2B Tech and Professional Services companies on how to transform their brands into powerful growth engines, accelerating profitable revenue and optimizing overall business performance.

I also coach (mostly B2B brand) marketing professionals to grow their career trajectories, build their personal brands, and earn promotions, raises, and new opportunities.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I’ve had some wonderful mentors and I enjoy sharing advice (paying it forward)

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

Always willing to learn. Recognizing you don’t know everything and having a willingness to consider new ideas and change.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Brand — I have a soft spot

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

Ask why. Repeat.

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14. Ceren Danis

Describe yourself

I’m Ceren Danis, a former investment banker turned product manager. 🤓 With over 8 years of experience in finance, strategy, and venture building, I have led teams in creating and launching successful physical and digital products. Whether you are at the beginning of your product journey or solving complex problems in a product organization, I can help!

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

One of the most fulfilling things I have done so far is mentoring. I love meeting new people and helping them solve problems.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

A growth mindset is about believing that your abilities, skills, and even your business can continuously improve through effort, learning, and persistence. Challenges, setbacks, or roadblocks—whether they are business-related or personal—aren’t seen as failures but as opportunities to learn and adapt. It is fostering a culture where teams aren’t afraid to take calculated risks or pivot when needed, knowing that innovation comes through iteration and resilience. It’s all about being open to feedback, learning from mistakes, and pushing forward to evolve both personally and professionally.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Product management – what I know best

• Expertise in product discovery and development
• Specialized in fintech, data management, and complex integrations
• Proven success in leading cross-functional teams and developers
• Full E2E product management from concept to delivery

I know you didn’t ask but the second would be building mental resilience as a founder.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

I work with the Data-Human-Collaboration triad.

1. Data-Driven Diagnosis: Start with the data. When a problem arises, dig into the metrics and logs to understand what exactly went wrong.
2. User Feedback Loop: Reach out to your clients or internal users to gather insights. Often, end-users will give context to the issue that metrics alone can’t reveal.
3. Cross-functional Collaboration: Get the right people from different teams (devs, product, sales, etc.) to discuss the problem from multiple angles. Everyone brings a different perspective, which can often help isolate whether it’s a technical glitch, a product design flaw, or a misalignment in (customer) expectations.

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15. Carmen Harris

Describe yourself

I bring deep expertise in cybersecurity and enterprise technology, with an unbothered perspective that challenges what’s possible in communications. My agency background taught me to pursue the “surprise and delight” factor – a mindset that drives me to find creative ways to build successful communications programs.

I specialize in strategic communications that matter: product launches, company debuts, analyst relations, content strategy, social media, and crisis communications. Whether you’re ready to make your mark in the market or need help navigating complex situations, I can help show you how to build momentum that turns market presence into true leadership.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I spend at least once a week asking questions and learning from my community. I strongly believe that success is only as good as the team and I want to help others as part of their team.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

A growth mindset means embracing bold ideas and welcoming the learning that comes from both spectacular wins and failures. It’s about having the curiosity and courage to question the norm, moving beyond recycled strategies and cookie-cutter approaches that may feel safe but won’t drive real innovation. We win by being all-in, looking around corners to stay ahead of issues, and constantly seeking new opportunities to evolve and improve. This mindset requires us to be both strategic risk-takers and continuous learners, understanding that true growth comes from pushing beyond our comfort zones and challenging what’s possible.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

This a tough one because so many aspects of communications are interrelated. If I had to pick one – how to secure press coverage for a tech company launch?

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

As a communications professional, I’m often brought in when there’s already a crisis that needs “rescue.” However, I believe in taking a step back to understand the bigger picture.

To pinpoint the root cause of a problem, I start by examining the original business goal or objective. By resetting the focus on the initial intended outcome, I can better understand where things went off track and develop an effective solution. In my experience, the core issue usually stems from misalignment due to poor communication between teams or stakeholders.

This approach allows me to not just fix the immediate problem, but also prevent similar issues from occurring in the future by strengthening communication channels and ensuring better alignment from the start.

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16. Ari Posner

Describe yourself

I’m a hustler who has scaled businesses to $10m+ arr in months. I’m super scrappy and love building great products in the AI space.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I want to help founders scale to $10m arr.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

When one is faced with a challenge, they view that as an opportunity to better themselves.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

GTM

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

First principles thinking

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17. Andreas Prins

Describe yourself

Hi, I’m Andreas! I’m passionate about helping startups and enterprises grow by crafting smart go-to-market strategies and building strong, aligned teams. With experience as a CEO, CPO, and VP of Product Marketing, I love sharing practical advice and insights to help others navigate challenges and unlock their potential. Let’s build something amazing together!

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

After many years of working in and leading startups and scale-ups I would love to donate back, my strength is to assess quickly the big picture and advice about small details.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

For me, building a deep understanding is crucial: understanding the business, its goals, the market, and, most importantly, customer needs. Secondly, adopting a growth mindset means being able to listen—listening to customers, prospects, and market developments. Combining this with a creative and data-driven approach complements the first two elements, enabling strong and sustainable growth.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Go-to-market strategies

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

Understanding the big picture, uncovering the details, and identifying the unknown.

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Interested in becoming a growth mentor?

What we’re looking for:

• Growth marketers, product managers, and designers, with extraordinary track records of success
• Inspirational founders that have “been there and done that.”
• Friendly people that take joy in helping other people.
• At least 5 years of demonstrable experience working in growth.
• GrowthMentor is a #givefirst platform. You should be cool with mentoring for free until you have three reviews.