From a career spanning fashion, oil and gas, tourism and more to her current role at JYB Europe, Dominique Ciantar has never stopped learning. Here she reflects on overcoming impostor syndrome to become a mentor in the WFA Mentorship Programme by Expana, what her mentees taught her, and why she’s already signed up to do it again.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your role and career journey?
My name is Dominique Ciantar. I am a 65-year-old French lady born in Algeria, raised in France, and I have lived in Italy since the 1980s, where I started a family. Without my family around me, I experienced the challenges of being a young mother. Now, as a grandmother, I try to support my daughter as she navigates the same challenges.
The mix of cultures has a significant impact on how I approach things and view the world. I started my career in a different world, before computers and the internet. I have held many different positions, always approaching them with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a sense of apprehension.
I have gained a great deal of experience in many fields: interior design, fabrics for furnishing, fashion, anti-counterfeiting, oil and gas, charitable international organizations, tourism and sport. In 2019, I joined JYB Europe, which gave me the opportunity to experience the fascinating and challenging world of the feed additive industry.
Was there someone who had a significant impact on your professional development?
Each positive and negative step throughout my life was important in my evolution. Depending on my age, my personal situation, who I was at the time, who I wanted to become, and where I wanted to go (which wasn’t always clear!), they all had an impact.
However, if I had to single out one person, it would be a senior manager with a wealth of professional experience who trusted me and gave me tasks that I thought I was not capable of. This was especially true during the hardest period of my life, when I lost my husband to cancer. He imparted many “pearls of wisdom” to me that I still use to help me manage difficult situations in both my personal and professional life.
What motivated you personally to get involved with the WFA Mentorship Programme by Expana?
Mrs Sandra Mattioni, the CEO of JYB Europe, encouraged me to take this opportunity, arguing that she believed I was suited to it. To be honest, it had never occurred to me before, and I admit that I initially struggled with impostor syndrome, thinking that I was not as skilled as she believed. I must thank her for insisting, as this important personal endeavour has given me back a lot of valuable insights.
Looking back, what did you gain from participating in the programme?
First of all, I certainly gained a lot of energy. All of these young ladies, with their fabulous curricula, skills and determination, have made an impression on me.
Personally, it was like adding an element of adventure to my career, and it may even become a new project in the future – you never know! As someone who is naturally empathetic, I enjoyed listening to and understanding the context of each person I met. Although my extensive personal experience and international background certainly helped me to better evaluate circumstances, I learned so much from each meeting. I hope I was able to help a little during all the discussions we had about the situations these ladies were going through. Their spontaneous feedback was important in helping me to improve. Each experience has been different, and each time has been a new journey.
JYB has been a valued partner of WFA for several years, what sets WFA apart and what value does the programme bring your organisation year on year?
We see the WFA as an opportunity for our company and our employees at JYB Europe, 50% of whom are women. Despite being a very small enterprise where everyone works from home, we are eager to play an active role in the food and agriculture community.
The yearly WFA event is so inspiring, with all these amazing stories about women. We are proud to support the programme and cannot wait for the next event.
I also think that the women running the project are well-suited to their roles, providing support and making everyone feel comfortable. The mentee matching process has been smooth, so a big thank you to Lisa, Melissa and their colleagues.
What’s next for you after this experience, and how will you carry these learnings forward?
As I have already applied to be a mentor for the next session, I am looking forward to starting a new journey with a mentee in the near future.
Who knows what the longer term will bring? Thanks to my ever-growing wealth of experience and, of course, my curiosity as a scout, I am open to all opportunities!
If you are interested in the WFA Mentorship Programme, or upcoming events, you can find out more here.
Written by Expana
