Meet the Mentors
Mentoring is a key part of the Bloom community. As we kick off 2025’s mentor program, we asked mentors Laura Jayne and Virginie their advice for this year’s mentees.
First tell us a bit about yourself and your career
Laura Jayne Streets: I’m Laura Jayne, I’ve worked in media planning and buying for 13 years (specifically Paid Social & Search), and I’m currently the Head of Biddable Operations at MG OMD. I’ve recently completed a Master's in ethics, and I’m upskilling in the data ethics space through the Open Data Institute.
Virginie Goupilleau: Hi, I am Virginie. I have worked in digital media for 20 years. I have built my career in search, social, programmatic, planning and buying. I later moved to AdTech and MarTech where I became a consultant for clients to help them make the most of their data in their media activation. I am now focussing on driving digital innovation and business transformation for brands and agencies alike.
Is this your first time mentoring? Why did you decide to become a mentor?
LJS: This is my third year as a Bloom mentor. When I first joined the industry, I found the jargon and ‘hidden knowledge’ quite overwhelming, but I was lucky to have a handful of informal mentors who helped me get to grips with it. With so many people joining the industry during the height of the COVID pandemic, their introduction to the world of media was through the lens of hybrid working. This naturally provided them with fewer opportunities to learn from those around them in the office. Being a mentor gives me the chance to support these new joiners and give them an extra POV from outside of their workplace.
VG: I'm now in my third year of mentoring with Bloom, which has been an absolutely amazing and enriching experience. Before that, I've always informally mentored colleagues and people in my network. Coming from a less privileged background, I had a difficult journey, and I want to help others succeed in this industry regardless of where they come from.
Mentoring is an incredible opportunity to connect with exceptionally talented young people who are willing to take the extra step to intentionally propel their thinking and careers. Above all, they keep you honest and grounded, and they're always showing you new ways of thinking and the latest industry developments (and keep you young!).
If it’s not your first time, do you have any advice for our mentors?
LJS: Decentre yourselves and practice active listening. Remember, it’s not about you!
VG: For a first-time mentor, my biggest advice would be to let them drive, let them be in control of the journey. They made the step to join this program because they are ambitious and want to make it themselves.
Be curious about them. Understand their motivations, what makes them tick and how you can provide them with the advice that will best resonate with them.
What’s your top tip for this year’s Bloom mentees so they can get the most out of the experience?
LJS: Be proactive and don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. If you’re not sure what you need, that’s also fine! This program is for you, so use it however you like!
VG: I cannot emphasize the importance of intentionality when getting into mentoring. It is amazing the difference in achievement between someone who is putting the efforts and the thinking into the relationship compared to people who just show up.
So Be prepared. Make sure you have taken the time to think about what you want from this relationship, where you want to be next year and be clear with your mentor – it is ok to voice what you want! (first rule of career progression). By being prepared, focussed on what you want to achieve, your conversations will be more meaningful, purposeful and directional. It will also give your mentor a clear brief that they can work with you on, allowing them to even share interesting content that they think would benefit you outside of your regular catchups.
Take the time to research your mentor. Look into their professional background, their career journey, and any projects they've worked on. This shows you're invested and helps you ask more informed questions. On this, don’t think that their background doesn’t align with your current situation: their skillset is much wider than you think!
Being intentional of the program also means making the most of the Bloom community. It's one of the most valuable parts of the programme, so get involved! Go to the events, get to know the incredible people working behind the scenes, and meet as many mentees and mentors as you can.
By being purposeful with your one-on-one sessions and by connecting with the wider network, you'll gain so much more from the experience than you ever expected.
Looking back, what’s one piece of advice you’d wish you’d known sooner?
LJS: Let your values guide you. To do this, you first need to identify what your values are! This is a process you can undertake on your own, or with your mentor, to help you understand yourself (and your goals) more effectively.
VG: Network, network, network! It's not just about meeting people to get a job or advance your career. It's about finding your tribe, those people who inspire and support you, and with whom you can truly make a difference. Help others whenever you can, and you'll find that your network gives back a hundred times over. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience and something I'm passionate about passing on to others.
