Spotlight on Green Light: A conversation with mentor Deanne Zarogiannis

For our final interview of the series, Deanne Zarogiannis, Director of People, Performance & Culture, sat down with ElevateHER member Madhu Chakraborty to reflect on her experience as a mentor.

What was it like being a mentor in the Green Light program?

I absolutely loved it. It’s a privilege to support someone not only in their career journey but in their personal and professional development, as a whole.

What made the experience even more meaningful was the chance to help women in our business recognise their potential and take steps toward it.

Green Light goes far beyond traditional training — it creates real connections, builds confidence, and gives mentees exposure to different parts of the business. For me as a people leader, it was also a valuable way to strengthen my coaching skills.

What motivated you to volunteer as a mentor?

I’m deeply passionate about gender diversity. Green Light gave me a chance to coach and support another woman in her career, helping her build skills and confidence outside her usual team structure.

That kind of support can make a huge difference.

What makes a mentoring relationship successful?

Trust, openness, and honesty. These are essential.

Mentoring involves vulnerability on both sides. Mentees share challenges and growth areas, and mentors should be prepared to do the same.

When both people are willing to open up, it creates a safe, productive space for learning and reflection.

Does it take long to build that trust?

It depends on the individual, but Green Light creates a strong foundation from the beginning.

Mentees enter the program after completing training (Green Light) that encourages self-awareness and vulnerability, which helps build rapport quickly. Setting clear expectations from the start also goes a long way.

Can you share a memorable success story from your mentoring journey?

While I want to respect confidentiality, I can say that the dedicated space Green Light provides is incredibly powerful.

Having structured time each month to step back from day-to-day work and focus on personal development gives mentees room to reflect, practise new skills, and grow.

That progress in itself is a great achievement.

Do you feel your mentee achieved her goals?

I hope she found the sessions valuable. I believe she demonstrated amazing personal reflection, awareness, and has applied the learnings. Overall, she has tremendous potential, and I’m confident she’ll continue to grow in her career.

We extended our mentoring relationship beyond the formal six-month program. Whilst our sessions have now concluded, the door is always open.

Have you noticed any ripple effects from the program?

Absolutely. Mentoring reminded me to bring a coaching mindset into my everyday interactions.

Spending time with someone outside my team sharpened how I show up as a leader, and that has flowed into my work with my own team.

While we don’t yet have broad program data, I believe Green Light has the potential to influence talent development and retention over time.

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a mentor?

Go for it. Be ready to be open, vulnerable, and committed. It’s a wonderful opportunity to elevate and connect with someone outside your team. It’s a deeply rewarding experience that strengthens your leadership in new ways.

And what would you say to future mentees?

Be open and honest, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Growth often comes from trying something new, even when it feels challenging.

Reflect, practise, and embrace the journey — you’ll get out of it what you put in.