According to Cheryl Rosenthal-Warlow, an experienced strategic technology leader, champion of diversity and inclusion and huge advocate for mentorship in technology, mentoring plays a pivotal role in creating inclusive, equitable and commercially successful workplaces.
We’ve recently had the opportunity to explore that topic further with Cheryl, whose journey into mentoring began as a natural extension of her leadership approach, particularly during her transition into the tech industry where she found real joy in bringing talented young professionals into her teams, empowering them to grow, and guiding them through their career challenges.
The Importance of Mentorship
To start our conversation, Cheryl started by talking about the importance of mentorship being noticed as a vital responsibility for senior leaders, especially when it comes to fostering an environment that is diverse and inclusive.
Cheryl: “Mentorship goes beyond professional skills; it involves active guidance, empowerment, and actively putting your hand in the air to help individuals navigate corporate environments and career challenges both in the tech industry and beyond. It’s our duty as leaders to consciously create mentorship opportunities, especially for women in tech and others from underrepresented groups who might not ordinarily see role models like themselves in the tech space. It’s efforts like this that not only empower individuals but also contribute to more inclusive workplaces as a whole. ”
Challenges for Underrepresented Groups
Cheryl then went on to talk in more detail about some of the challenges that underrepresented groups might face when it comes to a lack of role models and how mentorship really can be a huge benefit in this instance.
Cheryl: “It’s probably not a shock that women in tech and other underrepresented groups can sometimes struggle to find professional communities where they feel they ‘belong’ and need extra guidance to navigate professional landscapes. This is when Mentorship initiatives become critical, and they can be transformative in tackling gender bias and an overall lack of representation in leadership roles. Targeted mentorship programs, whether internal or external, can help bridge these gaps by facilitating room for growth and inspiration.”
Qualities of an Effective Mentor
During our conversation, Cheryl wanted to highlight some of the qualities that, in her opinion, make a successful mentor.
Cheryl: “In my opinion, effective mentorship in our industry requires so much more than being able to demonstrate technical expertise—it demands empathy, adaptability, and genuine care. Good mentors don’t need identical experiences to their mentees, but they must genuinely care about making a difference, listen and adapt their guidance as mentees’ needs evolve. Being able to adapt is particularly important when mentoring women and individuals from minority groups, as their experiences and challenges often differ significantly from those of the majority.”
Creating Psychological Safety
Throughout the interview with Cheryl, it was clear to see how passionate she is about creating environments of Psychological Safety. Cheryl went on to tell us exactly why, in her opinion, creating an environment of Psychological Safety is both a critical aspect in the role of a senior leader but also a key pillar for any successful Mentor/Mentee relationship.
Cheryl: ” Psychological safety should be a cornerstone of successful mentorship. Confidentiality is key. Mentors must create a judgment-free space where mentees feel comfortable being open and honest when looking for guidance. For women and other underrepresented groups, psychological safety is even more critical. They may face additional scrutiny or bias, making it just so important for them to have a space where they can discuss their challenges without fear of judgment or repercussions”
Reverse Mentoring: A Two-Way Street
As the interview continued, Cheryl continued to highlight the importance remembering that everyone has something to learn from someone, no matter at what level you’re working.
Cheryl: “The value of people having an open mind when it comes to how mentoring is traditionally viewed is huge and everyone, whether in a junior or senior role, can always learn something from someone else, no matter their role, seniority, age, gender, race etc. It’s how inclusive workplaces are shaped which is so invaluable.
The Benefits of Mentorship for Companies
It was really interesting to hear Chery’s perspectives on how Mentorship doesn’t only benefit individuals but also companies as a whole. She told us how it’s a strategic advantage for organisations and said:
Cheryl: “Mentorship is an initiative that helps retain talent. Internal programs reduce recruitment costs by supporting employees in navigating their career journeys internally which ultimately goes on to improve a company’s overall performance”.
Cheryl then went on to say:
“If you then make sure you’re creating mentorship initiatives that focus on mentoring women and minority professionals, it’s your company that will have the competitive advantage when tapping into broader, even undiscovered talent pools. By giving access to both internal and external mentors, it’s your company that will be seen as a company that goes above and beyond to empower their employees and help them thrive in their careers’.
How To Seek Out A Mentor/Mentorship Program
This part of the interview with Cheryl gave tangible tips on where to start when it comes to looking for a mentor.
Cheryl: “Actively seek mentors, both internally and externally. Join as many professional networking groups as possible, get involved with online communities’ meetups and conferences and always be looking out for someone who will add value to you and your career through their own expertise. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people that you admire from afar either internally or even on platforms like LinkedIn, most people in the tech industry want to help others and often your mentors will go on to become some of your closest allies in the professional world.”
Cheryl then went on to remind us that Mentorship programs shouldn’t be seen as overwhelming and don’t have to be the official professional programs that they often have connotations to be.
She said: “Some of the best and most successful Mentor/Mentee relationships that I know of have come from organic introductions and initial conversations. It’s about meeting people that you think you can learn from, and everybody can always learn something from somebody”.
Some of the resources that Cheryl has kindly signposted for us when it comes to finding a Mentor are:
- https://www.womentech.net/women-in-tech-mentoring-program
- NDN Mentors – The Neurodiversity Network Member’s Hub
- Stomping the Divide – Blacks In Technology
- The Social Mobility Foundation
Final Thoughts from Cheryl Rosenthal-Warlow
Our interview with Cheryl really highlighted that Mentorship is both a critical leadership responsibility but also a fundamental way to foster inclusion, empowerment, and career growth. Cheryl has championed Mentorship to bridge gaps for underrepresented and minority groups in technology, whether it’s helping women in tech navigate different environments, guiding neurodivergent individuals, or supporting those without prior professional exposure, Cheryl believes that mentorship provides opportunities that can transform careers and lives.
Cheryl emphasizes that simple acts like listening empathetically, offering guidance, or creating a safe space for honest conversations can have a profound impact. When leaders consciously prioritise Mentorship, they not only help individuals grow but also strengthen teams, foster innovation, and build a more inclusive and equitable tech industry.
As Cheryl puts it:
“Mentorship is one of the most meaningful ways leaders can give back. It’s not just about developing skills—it’s about showing people that they belong, that their potential matters, and that they can thrive in spaces where they might not see themselves represented. The most powerful part? It often starts with something as simple as listening and genuinely caring.”