Empowering growth: Ivanka’s journey at Kentico and her mentorship for women in business

Starting out and growing at Kentico.

Can you tell us about your journey at Kentico and your current role?

It’s been quite a journey. I joined over six years ago, though it hardly feels that long. I started out as a Sales Development Representative, booking meetings for the sales team, a tough role full of rejection and silence. But I quickly fell in love with Kentico, especially because of the people.

Over time, I took on the Czech and Spanish-speaking markets, selling licenses and collaborating with partners. One of my biggest challenges (and proudest moments) was building a Business Development team from the ground up, which turned out to be an incredibly rewarding experience. 

More recently, I took on a part of Demand Generation, which now allows me to contribute to the full communication journey with prospects, from the very first contact. It’s exciting! 

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Seeing people grow and succeed. I love when they come up with their own ideas and drive them forward. Sometimes, when things don’t go well, I want to step in and fix it, but letting people learn through failure is part of leadership. When they succeed, it's just an incredible feeling.

What motivates you the most about your work here?

So many things. I love the story of Kentico and how it started as a bachelor's thesis. I studied political economy, so I understand the importance of companies like this to the economy. Also, there are endless opportunities here. As long as you're willing to work hard, there’s always a next step. I’ve never been bored. Seeing others succeed motivates me, and I’ve always felt that my effort was appreciated.

Becoming a mentor: A two-way street.

Has your own growth journey influenced your decision to become a mentor?

Absolutely. Mentoring is like helping someone else grow, and in doing so, you grow personally, too. You learn to recognize talents and weaknesses and how to support development.  Being a mentor also gave me insight into how other companies operate, which is helpful since all of my sales and business development experience has been in Kentico. 

What do you enjoy the most about mentoring other women?

That moment when someone says, “I thought I was the only one.” It's powerful. We face unique challenges as women, like being underestimated or mistaken for assistants. Those shared experiences create a strong bond. Society often portrays women as unsupportive of each other, but when you find that mutual support, it's incredibly powerful.

Learning from mentorship.

Have you learned something from your mentees as well?

They taught me that what worked for me doesn’t work for everyone. People have different strengths, personalities, and challenges. I learned to listen more, ask questions, and help them find their own answers.

Mentoring also made me reflect on myself. I used to think I was very extroverted, but working with introverts helped me realize I’d just learned to act that way. And supporting people from different cultures showed me how important it is to understand diverse perspectives. Mentoring has made me a more empathetic and adaptable leader. 

What advice would you give to women who are looking for a mentor?

Don’t let self-doubt hold you back. Everyone has those feelings, but men often ignore them, while women act on them. Ask for feedback from people you trust, take things step by step, and keep moving forward, even if you don’t feel completely ready.

Support and opportunities at Kentico.

How has Kentico supported your growth? Have you found people who helped you along the way? 

We have flexibility, training support, personal development Fridays, and access to resources. But what made the biggest difference were the people.

One of them was my former manager, Petr Klouda. He was a big influence, always full of ideas and incredibly supportive. When I was unsure about stepping up, he encouraged me to take on new challenges. Observing how he worked helped me become more proactive and confident. And now, with my current manager Susan Cardoza, I’ve learned how to grow in a more sustainable way, thinking long-term and balancing ambition with well-being. 

What would you say to women considering joining Kentico?

Go for it. No company is perfect, but Kentico offers amazing support and learning opportunities. I’ve been here for over six years for a reason. There are great people here who will help you grow. 

Are you looking for a place where you can grow, lead and support others? Explore your next steps with Kentico. 

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