Mentoring is a relationship between a master – the mentor – and a learner – the mentee. While mentoring is fundamentally about drawing on the knowledge and experience of a more seasoned person, in practice, it proves to be a mutually beneficial relationship. Both sides learn from each other, inspire one another, and gain the opportunity to see their daily responsibilities from a completely different perspective. See what our Mentors have to say about themselves. Who are they? Why do they want to become a Mentor? What is their experience?
Our Mentors
Bożena Bochenek
Agricultural Attaché, French Embassy in Poland
Since the beginning of my professional career, I have been working on building relationships and broadly understood international cooperation for institutions, as well as implementing international projects in the agricultural sector. Goal-setting, good action planning and execution through effective team communication – both internally and externally – are skills I possess and would like to share with my mentee.
Małgorzata Bojańczyk
Director, Polish Sustainable Agriculture and Food Association
I want to actively support and inspire other women in their professional journey, share my experience and perspective. For 19 years, I’ve been involved in projects related to the implementation of sustainable development in the agri-food sector. I have experience in team management, collaboration with large companies, international cooperation, partnership building, and networking.
Challenges and crises are always a chance for change and new solutions. The foundation for balance and a fulfilling life, including professional life, is awareness of your goals, desires, and needs, and the strength and competence to achieve them. Together we can focus on strategy development in transformation processes, taking on new responsibilities or leadership roles, public speaking, and understanding the opportunities and positive impact of sustainable development in business. I’m passionate about the environment and green living. I also volunteer on the Board of the Polish-German Gardens project and in the Polish-German Rotary Club Warsaw Goethe.
Anna Borys
Impact Director, McDonald’s Poland
For over 20 years, I’ve worked in communications across various contexts – social, political, corporate, and consumer. Currently, I lead the Impact Department at McDonald’s Poland. I’m also a mentor and coach. I began mentoring in 2017 through the School for Leaders Foundation. I completed the “Business Coaching Diploma” at PwC and in 2022 received accreditation from the European Mentoring and Coaching Association. I mainly work with women – in mentoring programs and sometimes individually.
Joanna Gierulska
Vice President, Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture (ARMA)
I have 17 years of experience in team management. I started with a small division, then headed a department, and now I oversee several departments. My work is focused on agriculture, especially programming and implementing support under the Common Agricultural Policy. For years, I have worked on investments in farms, including renewable energy and precision farming. I also have a deep connection with rural areas and local communities, having managed the LEADER initiative in Poland. To be a better leader, I’ve continually improved my skills through numerous trainings in communication, feedback, motivation, teamwork, time management, and coaching. Even as an experienced manager, coaching training helped me bring new quality to working with people – better developing individual talents and supporting self-driven goal setting. Working with people is a fascinating journey, and the fact that everyone needs a different approach makes it a real challenge.
Monika Glen
Communications and Marketing Services Manager, BASF Polska
I am a communications and marketing services manager with over 25 years of experience in the agricultural industry. My life motto is: “If you want to make an impact, take matters into your own hands.” That’s why I take on new challenges in life and at work with passion and optimism. I’m creative, interested in innovation, and enjoy introducing sustainable solutions and products that respond to the current needs of agricultural producers. I’m happy to share my marketing and communications experience by advising and selecting the right training to support professional development. I have experience in building teams and identifying the right people for specific roles. For many years I’ve worked with young people, helping them find their place in an organization by identifying strengths and areas for growth. Based on my own experience, I especially support women in developing their careers.
Ewa Kaniowicz
President of the Management Board, BIO-GEN
I’ve been with BIO-GEN for 10 years, and thus part of the agro industry, which I continue to learn about. My focus is on efficiently seeking innovative and safe solutions for agriculture and the environment. While fulfilling my responsibilities, I focus not only on company interests but above all on respecting others. In relationships with my team and business partners, I value honesty, commitment, mutual support, friendly relations, and tolerance. I want my mentee to believe in herself thanks to my personal experiences – to be motivated to act and to strive for self-development and a better future. I value honesty and communication. If there is a need, we shouldn’t hesitate to ask for help and support. Let’s talk about our fears and doubts, but also about our strengths and advantages.
Agnieszka Kubera
Country Managing Director / President of the Board, Accenture Poland
I’m an experienced manager with over 20 years in the tech and consulting industries. I specialize in tech-based business transformations, working with leading Polish and international companies. I joined Accenture in 2006 and since 2023 have overseen the company’s operations in Poland, with nearly 11,000 employees. I’ve also long collaborated with NGOs, especially in projects supporting employment, skills development, and business creation. As a mentor, I hope to use my experience to help people work effectively in business, manage companies, plan growth, and collaborate with business partners.
Agnieszka Maliszewska
Director, Polish Chamber of Milk
For almost 30 years, my professional focus has been on building strong relationships, empowering women in business – especially in the agro sector. Supporting women, especially in agriculture, is essential, as the sector is still male-dominated. I believe that my work, attitude, and the numerous awards I’ve received can be an example for women – especially those just starting their careers – that success in agribusiness is possible while staying true to yourself.
Marta Nowak-Woźnica
Marketing Director, AgroNews
For 12 years, I’ve been in the agro industry, working in communication and marketing. I’m happy to advise on how to build your online image using a website or social media. I can help define marketing goals, develop an action plan, and identify the most effective tools to achieve them. I also offer tips on writing professional and effective website content.
Agnieszka Skorupińska
Partner, Rymarz Zdort Maruta
I am a lawyer and partner leading the Environmental Law and ESG practice at Rymarz Zdort Maruta. I’ve been a legal advisor and partner at international law firms in Energy and Projects departments. I’m an attorney with over 15 years of experience advising businesses on regulatory matters, litigation, investment projects, environmental aspects of real estate, M&A, and financing transactions. I specialize in Polish and EU environmental law, natural resources, investment process regulations, ESG, and EU funding. I’ve advised companies across the energy, chemical, heavy industry, construction, waste management, FMCG, utilities, renewable energy, mining, automotive, fashion, real estate, food, and agricultural sectors. I chair the Taxonomy Task Force at the Ministry of Development and Technology, serve as Vice Chair of the ESG Committee at the National Chamber of Commerce, and am part of the group supporting the development of European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) for listed SMEs at EFRAG. I’m consistently ranked in legal directories like Chambers and Partners (Band 1), The Legal 500 (Rising Star), and Rzeczpospolita (Leader). If my knowledge and experience can benefit a mentee, I am happy to share them in a process I hope will be fulfilling for both parties. I myself once participated in such a process as a mentee.
Dr. Monika Stanny
Director, Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development, Polish Academy of Sciences
I conduct research in spatial economics, development economics, and demography. My academic interests include the socio-economic conditions of rural development. I analyze population processes, deagrarianization, and territorial cohesion. I hold a habilitated doctorate in economics (Warsaw School of Economics, 2014), a doctorate in economics (Polish Academy of Sciences, 2003), and an MA in geography (Pomeranian University in Słupsk, 1996).
Agata Stolarska
President of the Management Board, Timac Agro Polska
I built Timac Agro from scratch, and this experience was the best school of agribusiness I could have had. The beginnings were tough, and I surely made many mistakes, but I was lucky to have a mentor who let me fail and helped me get back up while giving me space to be myself. Even after 20 years in the industry, I still learn something new every day, thanks to the diversity of people around me – generational, gender, and personality differences keep me inspired and out of routine thinking. I’m creative and sometimes unconventional. One of my favorite mottos is: “Better a thunderstorm than no weather at all.” I can’t work against my values, and the idea of Sustainable Agriculture and Food is especially important to me. I’m ready to share my experience to support other women in agribusiness.
Karolina Tarnawska
Vice President, Polish Sustainable Agriculture and Food Association
I’ve been a mentor for many years and have participated in various programs. However, Agro Woman Mentoring holds special importance for me. As the association’s Vice President for several years, I’ve come to understand how far women in agriculture and food production in Poland still need to go to have their work recognized and valued. I believe my professional and personal experience allows me to share knowledge, practical advice, and guidance in areas like financial management, strategy building, personal development, and positioning oneself as a leader. I warmly encourage collaboration with me 🙂
Kamila Zawistowska
HR Director, SoftwareOne
I am a mentor by passion and by profession. As a PCC coach and mentor, I support clients in consciously achieving their professional and personal goals. My work is based on dialogue, focusing on reflection, recognition, and building confidence. I tailor methods to individual needs – for me, nothing is impossible 😉 I’m happy to share my experience when there is space and willingness in the process. My motto: “It’s a kind of fun to do the impossible” – Walt Disney. Since 2006, I’ve worked in consulting. I am also a professional actress, motivational speaker, and trainer. I sit on the Program Council for Up-skilling and Re-skilling at ThinkTank Institute. I co-host the original podcast Departament Kobiet, available on all streaming platforms. I’m a mother of three sons: Adam, Leon, and Fryderyk.
Markus Baltzer
Coach
I am a charismatic, internationally grown leader, with strategic view and pragmatic action, able to address individuals and groups on eye height. Based on a strong set of values I drive business with a sound sense for win-win solutions and thus have achieved numerous turnarounds. I have worked all my life in Life Sciences, particularly in Agro and Pharma business and believe to have a good business acumen. What is most important to me is people development, because I believe that it is the individuals and the teams who make success. I believe in the potential of each one and take pleasure in helping people to thrive, to overcome difficult situations, to make the next right step. Throughout my career I have taken care about making sure that ladies and gentlemen are treated the same. I find that this is precondition to diversity of opinion and good success. My pure motivation to be a mentor in this program is to help. I can provide mentoring in English. My LinkedIn profile.
Jerzy Próchnicki
Agriculture/Agronomy Expert
I have 35 years of experience working in the agricultural sector and its surrounding environment – both from an organizational and agronomic perspective. My experience spans work on a large farm as well as collaboration with agronomists, representatives of agri-food companies, research centers, and scientists. I hold a degree in animal science, and my doctoral dissertation focused on plant protection and fertilization. I am now retired but continue to be active in the agri-food industry. I am a member of the Polish Sustainable Agriculture and Food Association and serve on its Management Board.
Bartosz Urbaniak
Head of Food & Agri Banking CEE & Africa, BNP Paribas
I have worked and studied in Asia and Africa. I have experience working in a large international organization, where I am responsible for agricultural financing across the entire region of Central and Eastern Europe and Africa.
Jarosław Wańkowicz
Supply Chain Director, Farm Frites Poland
I have over 20 years of experience in various positions in the crop production and food processing sector. I’m happy to share my experience in farm management, working with farmers, organizing work in processing facilities, as well as managing teams and implementing changes and innovations within organizations.