Here are the 13 Growth Mentors of November 2024

1. Tom Claes

Describe yourself

I have +5 years of experience doing marketing for medtech/health tech companies. I currently own a full-service growth marketing agency that helps healthcare and pharma companies with their marketing and business development needs.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

Helping others gives me energy.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

Failing forward. Taking calculated risks in your growth strategy. Thinking short- and long-term simultaneously.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Marketing medical technology or selling into complex decision-making units.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

Recently, I had a client whom I helped by uploading numerous high-resolution photos of their 3D printing technology on Unsplash. Over time, the pictures gained significant traction and were downloaded millions of times. To track their usage online, I utilized a Google image search and discovered that they were featured in several industry-specific blog articles. I approached the authors through email, politely requesting a backlink, without being pushy or making it mandatory. This initiative resulted in a considerable number of high-quality backlinks for my client, which significantly improved their SEO. Have a look yourself: https://unsplash.com/@tomspentys 🙂

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2. Ryan Turner

Describe yourself

I’m a marketing expert, growth enthusiast and funnel agency owner based in Spain, excited to help others tackle the world of direct response marketing and funnel strategies. With five years of hands-on experience—plus some fun times as a Growth Marketing Manager for a multi-million dollar SaaS company in the analytics space—I love sharing practical tips and real insights to help fellow marketers and business owners get the results they’re after!

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I’d like to become a mentor to share my passion for practical marketing strategies from the trenches of my own funnel agency so I can empower others to achieve their entrepreneurial goals with real-world insights and support (and NO FLUFF).

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

To me, a growth mindset means being open to learning and treating mistakes like plot twists in a movie—unexpected but not the end of the story. It’s all about expecting setbacks and bumps in the road but staying curious, and knowing that every setback is just a chance to get better. For example, right now I’m going through a difficult time. This is what some call the “messy middle” of life (I’m 41). Personally, I will have to make some tough business decisions very soon. But that’s par for the course in the messy middle. When you start to understand that your present situation is your own design. You end up holding the reins to your life’s path – past, present, and future. There’s no external entity pulling you back or pushing you forward, everything stems from within you. So you can either choose to grow and learn, or blame and complain, staying the same is never a real option.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

If I could mentor someone on just one topic, it would be customer journey strategy and optimization. I believe that when you start mapping out funnels and customer journeys, you begin to see “the matrix” of marketing. It’s not a linear path, and it’s definitely not black and white. Understanding the emotional drivers behind consumer behavior allows you to gain a lot of control over the entire process. This kind of insight not only enhances your marketing skills but also fosters a growth mindset that empowers you to adapt and thrive in any situation! Plus, it’s fascinating to see how everything connects. Recognizing that marketing is about understanding people helps cultivate empathy, which is what lots of marketers are missing.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

My approach to pinpointing the root cause of a problem involves using the PLMO framework: Plan, Launch, Monitor, and Optimize. First, I carefully plan the strategy to ensure all aspects are considered. Then, we launch the initiative and closely monitor its performance, gathering data and insights along the way.

An important part of this process is using funnel mapping to visualize customer journeys. It’s difficult to extract meaningful insights from a Google Analytics data table alone; you miss the human element. By mapping the journey, I can see how people move through the process and identify where things might be broken, need adjusting, or require rerouting. Finally, I focus on optimizing based on the insights collected, allowing us to refine our approach and effectively address the root cause. This can help you dig deep into the data and make informed decisions that drive better results.

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3. Rupesh Thakkar

Describe yourself

I am a product and business leader with over 15 years of experience driving growth and operational excellence at companies like Zoom, Microsoft, and McKinsey. I blend strategic thinking with data-driven decision-making to solve complex challenges, build high-performing teams, and deliver impactful results.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

Drive entrepreneurs forward with honest, unbiased and expert advice.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

A growth mindset, to me, is embracing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, constantly seeking ways to expand knowledge and skillset. It’s about believing that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, not viewing them as fixed traits.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Hiring the best talent is crucial for building high-performing teams and achieving ambitious goals. My experience at Zoom, Microsoft and McKinsey, where talent is paramount, underscores the importance of attracting and retaining top individuals. I have consistently worked with and managed talented individuals, recognizing the value they bring to driving innovation and success

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

To identify the root cause of a problem, I would first define clear metrics to measure the issue and track its impact, much like how metrics for user love, scalability, and user value. Then, I would analyze relevant data to identify patterns and trends that could point to the underlying cause. This data-driven approach would help move beyond surface-level symptoms and uncover the true root cause, enabling the development of targeted and effective solutions.

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4. Philippe Gales

Describe yourself

I’m Philippe, a business professional with a diverse background in SaaS, business development, and strategic partnerships. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with companies like TikTok and HubSpot, driving revenue, leading teams, and building strong relationships with C-level executives.

I’ve faced my share of hardships, but through life coaching, therapy, mentoring, and mindfulness, I’ve managed to push forward and thrive. Now, I’m passionate about sharing my story to help others overcome their struggles—whether in business or in life. My journey has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of mental well-being, and I’m committed to helping others find the same balance and success. I was nominated for the Forbes 30u30 Europe List in 2024.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

With extensive experience in SaaS, Business Development, and a passion for driving inclusive workplace transformation, I bring a unique perspective to mentoring – As a queer professional, I am committed to fostering diversity in tech, helping others navigate challenges, and empowering marginalized voices to thrive in dynamic, growth-oriented environments.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

A growth mindset to me means embracing challenges, learning from setbacks, and constantly seeking self-improvement. It’s about viewing obstacles not as roadblocks, but as opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally. Through my own experiences with life coaching, therapy, and mindfulness, I’ve learned that true growth comes from pushing through discomfort, staying resilient, and being open to change.

It isn’t just about achieving success in business—it’s about evolving as a person, learning from others, and helping those around you to overcome their own struggles. It’s this mindset that drives me to continue developing and to help others do the same.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Empowering Your Queer Identity in the Business World.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

I help my mentees address feelings of insecurity as queer individuals in the business world through the following approach:

Self-Reflection: I guide them in examining their experiences to identify specific triggers of insecurity in different professional settings.

Contextual Analysis: Together, we assess the workplace culture and dynamics to uncover any systemic issues, such as a lack of diversity or exclusionary practices, that may contribute to these feelings.

Engagement with Peers: I encourage them to seek insights from fellow queer professionals and mentors, fostering validation and diverse perspectives on shared experiences.

Internal Beliefs Evaluation: We reflect on any internalized biases or imposter syndrome that may affect their self-perception, helping them differentiate these from the actual business environment.

Organizational Assessment: I assist them in analyzing their company’s inclusivity policies and resources to identify gaps that may perpetuate insecurity.

Actionable Solutions: Based on our findings, we collaboratively develop strategies for personal growth and advocacy, aiming to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for themselves and others.

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5. Matt Hardy

Describe yourself

With over a decade of experience in growth marketing across SaaS, tech, and digital industries, I specialize in developing high-impact growth strategies that drive user acquisition, optimize performance, and build long-term customer value. I’m passionate about mentoring emerging startups, helping them navigate the challenges of scaling sustainably and empowering founders to make data-driven, customer-focused decisions that accelerate growth and resilience in competitive markets.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I am passionate about helping ambitious companies go from 0 to 1.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

To me, a growth mindset means constantly seeking opportunities to learn, improve, and challenge myself, even when the path forward isn’t obvious. It’s about staying curious and resilient, seeing setbacks as valuable lessons rather than failures, and believing that my skills and knowledge can expand with effort and adaptability. Having a growth mindset drives me to embrace feedback, adapt quickly, and stay open to new ideas, all while focusing on long-term progress over immediate results. Ultimately, it’s what fuels my commitment to personal and professional growth, regardless of the challenges.”

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

If I could mentor someone on just one topic, it would be how to marry up data and domain experience. In my experience, grounding strategies in data allows for more focused, objective, and impactful growth. However this needs to be intertwined with domain expertise. Data doesn’t just reveal what’s working; it provides insights into why something works, enabling smarter optimizations and stronger alignment with business goals. Teaching others to ask the right questions, interpret data meaningfully, and make informed decisions equips them with the tools to navigate uncertainty and scale sustainably. I’m passionate about helping others develop this skill because it’s invaluable in driving consistent, measurable progress.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

My approach to pinpointing the root cause of a problem is systematic and data-driven. I start by clearly defining the problem to avoid assumptions, then gather all relevant data to understand the context. I like to break down the problem into its components, analyzing each step in the process to identify where things might be going wrong. I often use the ‘5 Whys’ technique to drill down deeper, asking why each issue occurs until I reach the underlying cause. Throughout, I collaborate with team members to get diverse perspectives, as they often provide insights or context that can be overlooked. This approach helps me address the root cause effectively, rather than just fixing symptoms, so we can build more sustainable solutions.

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6. Mariana Velez

Describe yourself

Hi, I’m Mariana, a Product Manager with over 5 years of experience across fast-paced tech environments, where I’ve focused on optimizing user experiences and driving impactful product strategies. My journey has taught me invaluable lessons—from managing cross-functional teams to navigating the complexities of product launches—and I’m here to share the highs, lows, and practical insights I’ve gained to guide aspiring product managers in making successful career transitions and building strong foundations in product leadership.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I love learning from others and using my experience to help shape resilient and impactful product leaders.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

Being open to continuous learning and adaptation, viewing challenges as opportunities for development, and understanding that effort and perseverance are essential to achieving my goals.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Product discovery. Because I genuinely empathize with customers and find great joy in collaborating with them to understand their needs and aspirations to later create the right solutions for them.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

My approach to identifying the root cause of a problem combines qualitative and quantitative analysis. I typically begin by examining the available data to identify trends, patterns, or unusual behaviors related to the issue. Following this, I engage in conversations with customers or review qualitative feedback to gain deeper insights into their experiences and challenges. With a clearer understanding, I prioritize the root causes based on their impact and feasibility for resolution, ensuring that the solutions I propose effectively address the underlying issues rather than just the symptoms. This systematic approach enables me to develop robust, long-term solutions.

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7. Manish Jain

Describe yourself

I bring nearly a decade of experience as a product engineer and a manager, blending a strong eye for design, solid logic, and a “Get Shit Done” mindset. I’m deeply committed to building products with a consumer-first approach, and I firmly believe in iterating and testing hypotheses to validate product-market fit. My high emotional awareness helps me inspire and guide others, ensuring we move forward together effectively.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I want to shorten the time for others to reach where I am today.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

To me, a growth mindset is the drive to constantly learn, adapt, and improve. It’s about embracing challenges and using setbacks as fuel for growth rather than as reasons to hold back. I focus on testing ideas, iterating, and refining until I get results, knowing that each step forward, successful or not, brings new insights. It also means staying open to feedback and always pushing myself—and those around me—to achieve more. Having a growth mindset has allowed me to shift my thinking fundamentally, multiple times.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Product engineering to transform ideas into practical, user-friendly solutions that solve real-world problems. It is a culmination of technical expertise, user-centered thinking, and prioritizing work effectively.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

My approach to pinpointing the root cause of a problem starts with gathering as much relevant data as possible. I first take a step back to fully understand the context and symptoms of the issue, asking questions that get to the heart of “why” the problem is occurring. This involves listening to various parties before making any biased opinions.

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8. Eugen Ilie

Describe yourself

For over 20 years I’ve been passionate about digital marketing, and being a growth marketer defined me as a professional way before anyone was talking about growth marketing. Making a change in the industry, coming up with new products, and ultimately driving growth and revenue, are what I’m passionate about. All that with a customer-centric approach.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

Mentorship is key to personal growth. I’ve been fortunate to be coached and mentored, and I want to give back.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

Personally, you have to keep learning and be honest and humble about what you don’t know yet. Extend that professionally, and apply a growth mindset to your daily routine. Also, know that you will fail, a lot, but that’s where growth is coming from. The difference between a marketer and a growth marketer is that we enjoy experiments and data, knowing that not all our experiments will succeed, but we are hungry to learn.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Data analytics, conversions, and possibly revenue analysis. Most companies I’ve seen don’t have the rigor to analyze the data correctly and aren’t looking at the metrics beyond the initial conversion.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

Built one of the first lead capture forms that really changed the game in affiliate marketing.

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9. Erik Rossol

Describe yourself

I am a growth-focused marketer with 10+ years of expertise in Growth Strategy, Performance Marketing, and Conversion Optimization. I specialize in leveraging data, automation, and AI-driven strategies to scale user bases, optimize conversions, and drive revenue growth. My skill set spans paid acquisition, conversion rate optimization, CRM automation, predictive modeling, and creative production. Passionate about the intersection of marketing and technology, I am always seeking innovative ways to deliver value and challenge the status quo.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

Throughout my career, I’ve been self-taught, learning everything on my own. Now, I’m committed to making it easier for others, so they don’t have to navigate the journey alone — by mentoring them and connecting with smart individuals along the way.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

To me, a growth mindset means being adaptable and focused on execution in a world where ideas and knowledge are readily available, even through AI. It’s about constantly learning, embracing challenges, and adjusting quickly as you implement and refine new ideas.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Conversion Rate Optimization is a fun and exciting topic for me because it’s one of the fastest ways to drive value.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

My approach to pinpointing the root cause of a problem starts with gathering all available data and thoroughly analyzing it. I break down the issue into smaller components to identify patterns or anomalies, asking critical questions along the way. I also believe in testing hypotheses through controlled experiments, which allows me to see what works and what doesn’t.

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10. Benjamin Bolland

Describe yourself

I’m a product person and organizational developer with more than 10 years of experience working with 30+ startups and scale-ups from different industries in interim, fractional, and coaching roles. I have a deep technical background in computer science/web development, hands-on business knowledge (working as a founder and investment manager in the past,) and a lot of curiosity to understand humans and other complex systems with empathy. I mostly enjoy teaching and coaching when I can unblock and empower others by breaking down complexity and creating clarity with an outside perspective. I consider my ability to listen deeply and ask the right questions as my core skill.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I very much enjoy and want to expand mentoring and coaching fellow product people to unblock them with their current challenges and support their personal and career growth.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

Growing to me means following my curiosity wherever it might take me. It means approaching everything in life with a question and being conscious about the movement that question might trigger within myself. It means taking responsibility for my life and my actions (and non-actions).

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Organizational development in startups, because it’s a field that interests me a lot, I’ve been doing it implicitly for a while and I would love to learn more.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

I often aim to create clarity and overview first. Mapping out everything and making the connections and interdependencies visible (I mostly use a tool like Miro for that), helps a lot to gain clarity and understanding.
I then try to understand the bigger context (the why) behind the problem to understand why it actually matters.
Only then do I try to dive deeper into the root causes of it trying to include different perspectives and angles.”

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11. Arber Spahiu

Describe yourself

I’m a data-focused growth marketer who loves paid media, and the Head of Paid Growth at Fiat Growth. I enjoy breaking down campaigns and finding the nuggets within the data that turn campaigns around and drive efficiency and profitability for the companies I work with. Guiding marketers, founders, and mentees to understand these concepts to help them grow excites me.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I’ve had to learn the hard way during my career, and I’d like to help mentees avoid the same hurdles and pitfalls I’ve gone through.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

Growth means finding the revenue driver of your business and utilizing the right techniques to scale that.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Paid media testing. Too many start-ups try the wrong channels or test the write channels but do so hastily/poorly. More emphasis needs to go into product-channel fit as well as following current best practices per media channel.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

Problem – I was working with a fintech app that didn’t have strong creative resources but wanted to scale their paid social campaigns. Solution – I utilized meme content ads, which are free and easy to create online, and the performance on those saw more scale and efficiency than assets that were put together by creative consultants.

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12. Anders Hakfelt

Describe yourself

I’m experienced in taking technology businesses from idea and product-market fit to profitable growth. Passionate about innovation, with particular strength in creating and commercializing B2B/SaaS platforms and AI/Machine learning-based software solutions.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I enjoy sharing insights and learning from entrepreneurs

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

Growth mindset is to believe that you continuously can learn new skills and capabilities throughout your career. It is about embracing that you overcome obstacles and find new solutions by working together with colleagues and customers

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Product management – from user insight to ideation, prototyping, and commercialization. I love everything around creating new products and services and have extensive hands-on experience in making it work in startups

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

All understanding starts with asking questions, and active listening. Once the context is clearer, I unpack the problem by asking more questions and leveraging my personal experience of how businesses and organizations work.

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13. Ali Murphy

Describe yourself

Hey, I’m Ali. I help startups and founders build profitable growth strategies rooted in human-centric storytelling. With 12 years of experience in travel and events, I specialize in selling experiences and creating campaigns that attract vs chase your next million users. As an expert in omnichannel marketing, I craft strategies that drive growth, build loyalty, and make brands unforgettable.

In just one sentence, why do you want to become a growth mentor?

I want to help makers cut through the noise and feel empowered to take creative swings and the road less traveled.

In your words, what does a growth mindset mean to you?

To me, a growth mindset is believing in the power of agility, leading with curiosity, and maintaining the ability to think conceptually while problem-solving.

If you could mentor a startup on one topic, what would it be?

Turning your product or service into an emotive experience.

Describe an out-of-the-box solution to a complex problem that made you proud of yourself.

When growth channels aren’t scaling profitably, it’s often because we are chasing a result and not an impact, marketing on the level of product vs culture. I first identify the cultural impact of what the product is trying to achieve to build campaigns that make the customer say “I want to be a part of this” vs “Sure. I’ll buy it.”

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Interested in becoming a growth mentor?

What we’re looking for:

• Growth marketers, product managers, and designers, with extraordinary track records of success
• Inspirational founders that have “been there and done that.”
• Friendly people that take joy in helping other people.
• At least 5 years of demonstrable experience working in growth.
• GrowthMentor is a #givefirst platform. You should be cool with mentoring for free until you have three reviews.