At Femme Palette, our mentors are one of our greatest strengths. Experienced professionals who show up not just with advice, but with genuine care for the people they work with. This month, we're shining a light on Ekaterina Syromyatnikova, known as Katya, VP of Customer Success at Intento. With over a decade of outstanding customer experience leadership under her belt, Katya has built and led world-class Customer Support and Success teams of up to 100 people, navigating change both in her own life and in the companies she has been part of. She has a rare talent for removing obstacles between business users and real product value, and an even rarer one for spotting and championing the great work of the people around her. A natural bridge-builder, an avid learner, and an enthusiastic mentor, Katya brings the same energy to her mentees that she brings to everything else: helping people realise their potential. From guiding women to find their voice in leadership to bringing a hiring manager's eye to CV reviews, she is the kind of mentor who meets you exactly where you are. Oh, and she raps. Read on.
My name is Katya, I work as a VP of Customer Success at Intento, and I've been leading various customer-facing teams in tech for over 10 years. I live in Prague with my husband and my border collie. A fun fact about me: I genuinely love rapping and jump at any chance to do it — karaokes, parties, you name it.
I've been part of mentorship programs at several companies throughout my career. The moment I knew I specifically wanted to coach women on leadership and influence came when I was a Director of Support. At one moment it was brought to my attention that all the support managers on my team were men - not because of any bias or preference, but simply because the women weren't applying to open management positions. That realization made me want to help women find their voice and their path to leadership, for those who want it. I also know that my own career would not have been nearly as successful without the mentors I had at every stage - and I hope to have that same kind of impact.
No two mentees are the same. I get to meet people from very different roles, companies, and life situations, which keeps me out of any bubble. I first joined Femme Palette after relocating to Prague, partly to meet new people. The fact that I can do that while also bringing real value to someone's career is something I appreciate a lot.
It's given me invaluable insight into a wide variety of roles and companies.
Everyone's experience and situation is unique - lean into that. As a mentee: describe your problem or the outcome you want to achieve, and stay open to the idea that there's more than one way to get there. Your mentor can help you uncover a path that wasn't obvious to you. As a mentor: ask questions before giving advice. It's easy to assume your experience is universally applicable, but a few good questions will help you understand the real situation and tailor your recommendations to actually move the needle for your mentee.
I specialize in leadership, stakeholder management, process building, and value positioning. For managers, I help them avoid the common traps that come with a first leadership role and develop a stronger voice at the leadership table. For individual contributors, I work on aligning personal goals with stakeholder and company interests, building a compelling business case, and having real influence without formal authority. I've also supported mentees in job searches — bringing a hiring manager's perspective to CV reviews, interview prep, and navigating tricky situations.
That there is always something new to learn, and always more than one path to your goals.
Has Katya inspired you to work with a mentor? Learn more about our Mentoring program and apply here.
