We create Female Ecosystem for a Gender-balanced World
The Why
According to the World Economic Forum’s most recent Global Gender Gap Report, if progress towards gender parity continues at the same average pace seen between 2006 and 2023, the overall global gender gap is projected to close in 131 years.
In the startup arena in particular, male leaders and all-male teams continue to predominantly hold sway. Findings from the European Investment Fund and Invest Europe indicate that out of every 100 entrepreneurs funded by venture capital in Europe, 78 are part of all-male teams.
However, compelling evidence from McKinsey & Company’s Diversity Matters Even More report reveals that companies with greater female representation in executive positions tend to be more successful and profitable. Additionally, research published by the Peterson Institute for International Economics affirms that companies with at least 30% women in leadership roles experience a notable 15% increase in profitability compared to those without.
There is much work ahead to secure gender parity in the workplace, and we all need to continue pushing for greater gender diversity and inclusivity.
The What
We at ATHENEXA have made it our mission to help close the gender gap through the implementation of woman-to-woman reciprocal mentoring.
The ATHENEXA Reciprocal Mentoring Program fosters social exchange by bringing together mentors and mentees as co-learners and co-mentors, working together to inspire profound and lasting change for both themselves and the organization. Through our mentoring program, participants become part of a female ecosystem to reap the benefits of mutual support and guidance.
We are offering an unconventional approach to mentoring. We want to transform the conventional hierarchical and traditional mentoring model into a collaborative connection that emphasizes collective intelligence, development and mutual learning through the exchange of knowledge and experiences across companies.
Through our reciprocal mentoring program, we aim to accelerate leadership development, help close the gender gap.
The How
Program
The ATHENEXA Reciprocal Mentoring Program is targeted at female professionals – or any individuals identifying as women – across companies. The expected duration of a co-mentoring journey is approximately 6 months. We commit to full program implementation as well as active involvement.
Platform
We provide the space where female professionals across companies can sign up, connect, learn and draw inspiration from each other.
Onboarding
Participants are first queried about their strengths, areas of expertise, and aspirations for expanding their knowledge and enhancing their skills.
Matching
Using the data collected during the onboarding phase, a personalized matching algorithm pairs the program participants to facilitate the most effective and mutually beneficial co-learning and co-mentoring experience.
Training
As proper preparation and setting expectations are crucial for success, we provide specific training for co-mentors before they begin their co-mentoring journey.
Reciprocal Mentoring
This is where the magic happens. The co-mentoring journey we facilitate comprises three phases: discovery, development, and consolidation.
Retrospective Evaluation
Prior to initiating the co-mentoring process, participants are required to conduct a self-assessment. Throughout the journey, bilateral feedback is provided. Upon completion, co-mentors revisit their initial self-assessment, enabling us to measure the qualitative and quantitative impact of the co-mentoring journey. Subsequently, we follow up on the participants’ career advancements.
Female Ecosystem
Our ultimate goal is to establish a nurturing network accessible to female professionals and leaders at any point in their careers.
The Team
We are 2 FEMALE FOUNDERS, blending our Brazilian and Hungarian heritage, along with our experience in various countries, spanning six languages – English, Spanish, Hungarian, Portuguese, Italian, and Catalan – we’ve forged an exceptionally diverse and inclusive team. With degrees in Psychology, Business Administration, Coaching and Human Resources, our collective journey encompasses decades of guiding professionals and leaders, and fostering connections among people.
However, our story didn't begin with awards and achievements, but with a shared leap of faith. Early in our careers, we made the bold decision to embark on a new chapter in the vibrant city of Barcelona. Little did we know that our paths would cross in this inspiring city, as we both were off to new beginnings, and found ourselves immersed in the world of HR and Leadership Development.
Our collaboration truly blossomed in 2019, as we joined forces on various leadership programs, united by a common purpose: empower leaders to reach their full potential. However, it wasn't until the year 2024 that we felt the urge to channel our collective expertise and passion into something greater. And so, ATHENEXA was born.
With ATHENEXA, we are embarking on a journey to redefine what's possible, break down barriers, and pave the way for a brighter future. To us, ATHENEXA isn't just a project; it's a calling – a testament to our shared commitment to crafting a world where every woman can thrive.
Meet Our Founders
Caroline Morales
Co-founder
"The essence is in the connection"
From an early stage, Caroline has always wanted to empower individuals within their professional development. This calling led her to study psychology and eventually work at Human Resources. As she advanced in her career, ascending to the role of HR Director and later as Chief People Officer in the Scale-up landscape, she never forgot her mission to make work more empathetic and humane.
At the heart of Caroline's journey pulses a passion: the pursuit of gender equality. Her transformative experience at Cambridge University, studying Women in Leadership, inspired her towards her ultimate purpose. Through her visionary venture, ATHENEXA, dedicated to making the world fairer for everyone.
Caroline is driven by the idea of leaving a better world for her daughter and future generations, where men and women have equal chances to succeed.
Dora Iranyi
Co-founder
"All about structure and simplification"
Since youth, she had a keen ability to empathize with others, observing their nuances and discerning ways to enhance their overall presence and skill set. This innate talent led her to pursue studies in Psychology and Coaching, equipping herself with the tools to effectively support and empower individuals. After honing her skills in the field of Human Resources and ascending to the role of HR Director, she felt the pull towards entrepreneurship, ultimately founding her own leadership consultancy firm, 4Dvelopment.
Driven by a passion for shaping organizational cultures through conscious leadership programs and mentoring, she embarked on a mission to guide leaders on their developmental journeys, which not only fulfills her professionally but also resonates deeply with her heart.
Through her years of experience, she recognized the unique needs of women in the workplace and the necessity for tailored support systems. First, she provided specific workshops, then fueled by a desire to revolutionize traditional approaches, ATHENEXA was born as a Female Ecosystem for women to co-learn and genuinely elevate each other.
The Brand
As we were brainstorming about the creation of a female mentorship program, we stumbled upon another shared passion: mythology! There was no doubt in our minds; it felt like the Greek goddess and pioneering mentor Athena must guide us on our journey. Inspired by her wisdom and strength, we found a clear purpose: to cultivate meaningful connections among women, fostering not only individual growth, but also collective advancement in their careers.
From this revelation, a vision emerged – a vision we named Nexa, the bridge. ATHENEXA was born from the wisdom of Athenea and the power of connecting, designed to unite women from all walks of life in pursuit of a gender-balanced world. With each connection forged, we dare to dream of a future where empowerment knows no bounds, and women work together to rewrite the narrative of possibility.
Why Work With Us
We
- provide co-mentoring program connecting companies across diverse industries and sectors
- present an innovative yet effective approach to mentoring
- commit to fully implementing and actively engaging in the program
- use a distinctive, data-driven algorithm for optimal matching
- support local, compliant diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies, alongside the UN 2030 Sustainability Goal for Gender Equality
Join our Waiting List
If you want your company to be part of our reciprocal mentoring program across companies from different sectors, join the waiting list.