Sam S.
🌎 Social impact
Throughout my career, I've passionately dedicated myself to mentoring and teaching, recognizing the transformative impact it can have on individuals and communities. Through my Teach for America Experience and through my engagement with The Last Mile, I've nurtured the growth of students from diverse backgrounds, guiding them in harnessing design and technology for their future paths. With IDEO, my role as a Design Lead has enabled me to mentor professionals by integrating inclusive and human-centered design principles into learning experiences and leading initiatives like Disarming Whiteness to foster diversity and equity.
I am also an ICF-certified coach, and I have a career and life coaching practice called Alvita Coaching. My coaching practice has three primary offers: Vision & Vitality Coaching, Career Catalyst Coaching, and Next Gen Leadership Coaching (a career coaching program designed for 18-24-year-olds).
What excites me about twenty is that it is a service that I so desperately wished existed when I was in my twenties. The platform’s recognition that professional growth is inextricably linked to personal development resonates deeply with my holistic approach to mentorship. I am eager to be part of a community that doesn’t shy away from the tough, intricate discussions that pave the way for authentic growth and learning.
Joe G.
🌎 Moving outside the US
I’m Joe, a product manager who has background as an engineer, researcher and designer. I started my career in research, transitioned into consulting and transitioned these skills into product roles at various technology startups.
So far in my professional career, I’ve developed skills that span across product development from strategy, UX research, design and engineering. Having started my career in consulting and then transitioning to high-growth startups, I’ve worked internationally in 4 markets (Indonesia, Turkey, Amsterdam, and the UK) and 6 industries. From these experiences, I’ve strived to work on building meaningful products and experiences while helping create sustainable organizations and impact in local communities.
Aside from a tactical product skillset, my experiences have allowed me to develop as a people manager and leader. I’ve worked at organizations that offer B2B and B2C solutions, across all stages of maturity from seed funding to post-IPO fortune 500 organizations. I’m happy to discuss the nuances to my experiences and how to navigate these environments and advocate for personal growth throughout.
In addition, I currently advise entrepreneurs through my own agency services and as part of the Alter Global network. Outside of work, I love being active physically, socially, and mentally. I love exploring the ocean - while working at a YC startup in Indonesia, I recently received my master diver certification. Additionally, I have competed in various lengths of Triathlons keeping me busy with training on a weekly basis. I try to stay active in my local communities, serving as a KIPP mentor to low-income high school students.
Nikhil R.
🙌 Nonprofit
Hey friends - my name is Nikhil and I'm so excited to be a mentor here at Twenty. I've explored quite a few non-traditional paths in my life from music, to medicine/global health, to social entrepreneurship, to public policy. I'm excited to share what I've learned to help you navigate your own journey!
Daniela V.
🎉 Entrepreneurship
My name is Daniela and I grew up in San Diego surrounded by a love for the ocean, soccer and any outdoor activity! I moved to the Bay Area to attend Stanford University where I got my undergraduate degree in Product Design and my master’s in Learning, Design and Technology at the school of Education.I have experience working as a product designer, UX researcher and UX/UI designer at different sized companies. I am currently working on an EdTech startup focusing on social-emotional learning and early education. Happy to speak about any and all experiences! I love speaking to and learning from new people and love helping people learn from experiences I have had, mistakes I have made and from moments I have learned from.Creative brainstorming is my passion and being able to help people think creatively through their life is one of my favorite things to do!
Harry S.
⭐️ Freelance / consulting work
Who am I? I'm Harry, currently based in Seattle. My journey has led me to the role of Chief of Staff at Quantive, where I've had the privilege to work on scaling operations, driving strategy, and supporting investment activities among other responsibilities. On the side, I’ve started a newsletter focused on my passion for exploring business strategies and investments in the soccer world.
Why am I here? Mentoring holds a special place in my heart because of its transformative power. I believe in the value of good guidance and how it can steer us closer to our aspirations. I would not be where I am today without a mentor who helped me entirely rethink how I was approaching my career. Out of all the skills, degrees, and jobs you can have, I firmly believe it's the people and networks you build that can propel you into a life and career you've always wanted. That’s why I’m here—to offer you the insights I’ve gathered on my own journey and hopefully make your path a little easier to navigate. I'd like to give back to others what my mentor gave to me and help those who are facing the same challenges or questions I had.
Sohan M.
🌲 Climate tech
Heylo! I’m Sohan Mone. My mission is to deliver infrastructure that expands access and unlocks society’s potential - let’s just say, we have a lot of work that needs doing! I’m a structural engineer by trade and I specialize in rail bridges (high-speed rail, monorail, LRT, and metro-rail). 🚆My background is in seismic engineering and structural dynamics, but I’ve since joined a design-build contractor that focuses on big infrastructure.Today, I can say that I’m a key player in winning lucrative government contracts valued in the billions! I also dabble in scripting and data science as it relates to my role, and have done some freelance work as well.I LOVE what I do… but it wasn’t always this way! Getting to this mindset was a struggle.I believe the 20’s are a time where it’s okay to fail. These years are about exploration, discovery and taking measured risks! It’s about finding out what’s meaningful to you!If you’re not sure what you want to do, or are just feeling unfulfilled - I’ve been there, and I’m all ears!!
Eduardo L.
💸 Personal finance
I was born and raised in Mexico City. I studied Finance in one of Mexico´s top schools. Professionally, I jumped from corporate finance at a global consumer company, to investment banking at a leading global bank, to private equity and venture capital at the World bank before I figured out what I love. I currently work for an e- logistics startup were I have found the intelectual challenge of building the Strategic Finance department from the ground up. I am aiming to finish the year with 10 people in my team, up from just myself 4 months ago.
Personally, I recently got married after dealing with a long distance relationship. There were tough times, but I can say that it has worked out and I could not be happier.
As for Twenty, I loved the idea of mentoring for Twenty because it is a resource that I would have love to have when I first started my personal and professional journey as a young professional.
I am passionate about chess, soccer and Formula 1. Fluent in Spanish and English.
Ishaan P.
🚀 Engineering
I spent my twenties living in the constant flux of trying to find a direction that felt like it was truly "mine", while also doing my best to be intentional about accelerating my growth. I saw tremendous personal and professional growth during this time. I'm really happy that I spent my time exploring multiple domains - I worked in academia as a researcher, I tried starting a company (and learned a lot when it didn't work out), I switched careers, and finally landed on a path that I fell in love with. In my personal life, I ended a 7-year relationship, juggled old and new friends constantly moving cities, found my person, got married and moved between multiple cities. I'm lucky to have had a lot of help from incredible mentors along the way, and I would love to help in whatever way that I can.
Rajeev P.
Ask me/Talk to me about:
Katy H.
After 5 years in digital advertising program management & production, I pivoted to become a classroom educator. As a teacher I've mentored new teachers and led instruction for groups of students from K-12 learners to adults in the business world. I recently made another transition to re-envision my work life, and currently work as a consultant developing curriculum (ie. online courses and learning experiences) for organizations like The Life Brief and Rewiring America.
Also, as is common for many people, some of my most important learning and personal growth has happened outside the classroom and the office. After studying World Arts and Cultures (Dance) and geography in college, I moved to Spain for a year to teach English. Traveling and immersing myself in different cultures through language and the arts has continued to be a big part of my life, inspiring trips to Mexico, India, Japan, Korea, and around Europe. Some other jobs and side projects that have shaped my perspective are leading interactive art tours in New York City, planting trees in LA, serving drinks on a cruise ship in the Bay—and during the pandemic, starting an interview-based podcast about learning styles & stories called Still Learning. I’m also a nonfiction & aspiring fiction writer, and believe in the power of telling our own stories in order to see and know ourselves more clearly.
I’m excited to be a mentor with Twenty because connecting with mentors has provided such comfort and inspiration for me in both my personal and professional life. Conversations I had with former teachers, managers and wise, slightly older friends helped me to name and eventually pursue both major career shifts as well as smaller, also meaningful, adjustments to how work fits into my life. Finally, as someone passionate about being a lifelong learner, embracing a growth mindset, emotional intelligence and seeing the career journey as a learning process—all of which I'd be eager to discuss—are all topics near and dear to my heart!
Christie L.
When I meet new people, I like to say that I grew up with Southern sensibilities and East Coast values. Take what you will from that.
I spent my childhood between Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the greater Dallas, Texas areas. I was fortunate to have two older brothers who navigated the American public school system in the South, college applications and the job search as Asian Americans. They filled in many of the gaps that my parents, who will forever be immigrants in their eyes and others, had.
After graduating high school, I moved to the East Coast to attend Wellesley College, an all women’s college right outside Boston. I loved it, and that’s all I’ll say here. Please ask me more.
Prior to graduating, I realized that I needed to delay my graduation by a few months because I was missing one core requirement…don’t tell my parents. (Yes, I am 30 and still keeping some of my academic history a secret from my parents.)
I was fortunate to have internships during my college years, mostly geared towards the public sector. However, after graduation, my career has take me down a path of product and strategy within financial services and healthcare.
Mentorship has been so valuable to me as both a mentor and mentee. The most exciting aspect of mentorship is that both people grow and hopefully make better decisions because of the relationship.
Gabrielle W.
I've been a mentor with my alumni group for years. I also work with two charities - one that provides financial counseling to young families and one providing comfort to terminally ill children.
I am a bit older than some of the other mentors, but it took me a bit longer to get my professional career to a place where I now feel I can give back in this way. I am 37 and look like I am in my mid-20s. I know the feeling of being in the corporate world and trying to be taken seriously but being looked at as a "little girl." I want to help other young women navigate the corporate world with confidence.
Madelyn S.
I’m Maddy and I’m excited to meet you! I’m super passionate about education, great marketing, and social impact.
I’m a Bay Area native — I grew up in Marin County, moved to Los Angeles for college at the University of Southern California, and now live in San Francisco.
I’ve had a mix of roles across research, marketing, and business development/partnerships. Currently, I’m part of the industry partnerships team at Coursera — helping companies like Google and Facebook create job-training programs for people around the world. I’ve also worked at design and marketing agencies (IDEO and Hero Digital) in marketing and business development roles.
Recently, I started my MBA at the University of Southern California (USC). This is a hybrid program, and I’m working full-time while in the MBA program. Happy to discuss any topics pertaining to applications, managing work/school schedules, and more.
Over the last 8 years I’ve mentored middle school, high school, college, and post-undergrad students across a wide range of both professional and personal topics. I am thrilled to be part of Twenty to help share tips and tricks on what I wish I had known in my early twenties.
Jamie P.
I know how beneficial it can be to have relationships with people who are just ahead of you in their career and life. I personally have benefited from this, and would like to help others in this way. I’ve spent the last nearly 15 years trying to figure out what how to find fulfillment in my career and personal life. I’m still on that journey, and would love to join you on yours.
Morgan H.
Hi there! I am a Nashville, TN native, which I hear is a unicorn these days around here :). I graduated from UT Chattanooga, although huge UT Vols fan! I have the cutest little Pomapoo dog, Ollie, and live with my Fiancée. (Getting married in Dec 2023)
I started my career back in 2012 in the Recruiting Agency world. I learned the fundamentals (good and bad) in that world + met a lot of good connections, that I still communicate with now. I found my passion lied in the Corporate space so switched over to my first Corporate recruiting job in 2015 and have never looked back!
While at my past company Asurion I stood in as the main mentor on our TA team. I thoroughly enjoyed having 1:1 conversation with my teammates about what their future career could look like, giving them advice, I had learned from my time thus far and how to approach certain situations. I have recently gotten into people management, and it still always takes me back to really enjoying the mentorship side of it.
I really feel everyone, especially in early stages, should get access to a mentor, or mentorship program. Remote work can make it very dangerous if there is not that structure, as most can feel on an island or scared to ask questions. Whether you are hunting for specific advice, or just want someone you can throw an idea to, I am happy to help!
Katya N.
Hi all! I’m Katya — I was raised in Bangkok, Thailand; my father is Indian-Thai, and my mother is American and German. I graduated from the International School of Bangkok and, at the age of 18, moved to Burlington, VT to pursue a Bachelors of Science in Social Work. I then went on to receive a Masters in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University.
I started out my ecommerce career at Seed Health as one of its first hires, and helped build the foundations for their member experience, ecommerce and operations teams.
I recently transitioned out of my role as Director of Strategic Operations at Tomorrow Farms, a venture-backed food and beverage startup that I had joined pre-launch of its first brand and product, Bored Cow. In this role, (a la Chief of Staff), I was responsible for all customer experience, people & culture operations and internal communications, executive assistance, and internal operations, including process establishment and improvement and management of company softwares, systems and tools.
Having traveled to over 30 countries, my experiences in various cultures has deeply influenced how I build and scale with a human-centric approach. As a champion for candidate, employee and customer experience, I foster organizational health, drive operational efficiency, reduce friction, and eliminate pain points cultivated with the highest level of thought, care and intention.