Trusting Her Own Voice: Alice Scutellà on Mentorship That Runs Both Ways

Mentor Spotlight

As a Mentor: Passing On What She Once Needed

Alice traces her decision to mentor back to her own experience of uncertainty. "I became a mentor because I know how it feels to be in a space where everything is not figured out and how much it matters to have someone to guide you and support you, especially when you're navigating something new or challenging, and that made me want to do the same for others."

What she finds most rewarding is clarity: "What I find most rewarding about mentoring is the tools it gives to someone to see themselves more clearly rather than change who they are. Seeing growth and being part of their journey, even in a small way, is something I deeply value and everytime I see someone take small steps forward, it reminds me why I wanted to do this in the first place."

A Moment That Stayed With Her

Alice recalls a mentee who stepped up to lead a group project after doubting whether she could do so without losing her own nature. "It made me realise how important it is to step in and trust your own voice, as it could be just as impactful as having good skills."

How Mentoring Has Shaped Her

Alice describes growth on both a personal and professional level. "On a personal level, I've learned that it's not about having all the answers, but about walking alongside someone for a while and helping them figure things out. On a professional level, it forced me to reflect on how I work or do certain things and to adapt my approach to different realities."

She also points to a broader shift in how she sees her own value. "It also helped me to let go of the idea that I need to know everything to be useful, a mindset that I try to have when I show up in other roles too."

Her Advice to First-Time Mentors

Alice's advice is to trust that even small contributions matter. "Go for it as it's absolutely worth it! Just trust that even the little things can make a real impact and you'll probably be surprised by how much you learn too, about others and about yourself!"

Why She Believes Mentorship Matters

For Alice, mentorship works because it runs in both directions. "Because it strengthens the connection between people through different life experiences and perspectives. What I find special about mentorship is that it's mutual and it allows you to learn a lot about yourself and what kind of space you hold for others, while supporting someone else at the same time."

As a Mentee: Seeking New Ways of Seeing

Alice's own reason for seeking a mentor was rooted in a broader kind of learning. "I want to keep learning, not only in terms of skill, but also different ways of seeing things, thinking. I wanted to gain new perspectives and to learn more about myself in the process."

A Breakthrough About Fitting In

One insight in particular changed how Alice moves through spaces where she is often the only woman. "One key breakthrough I had because of mentorship was realizing I don't need to change who I am or shrink part of myself to fit in in a male dominated environment. That shift in mindset gave me the confidence to trust my voice even in rooms where I might be the only woman."

What Having a Mentor Has Given Her

Alice describes the experience as grounding. "Having a mentor helped me be more grounded and look at things with more clarity. It helped me focus not on just what I do, but why I do it, what really matters to me and what I bring into the spaces I'm part of."

Her Advice to Anyone Considering Becoming a Mentee

Alice pushes back on the idea that someone needs to have things figured out before starting. "Don't wait until you have all figured out because that's exactly why you start! Being a mentee is all about giving yourself the space to grow, reflect and learn."

When asked what mentorship has meant to her, Alice describes it as "a quiet kind of guidance that helped me hear myself more."

What She Recommends

When asked for a book, tool or resource recommendation, Alice points to community over any single title. "The most valuable resource I'd recommend is connecting with other women who are already in motorsport. They know the dynamics of being a woman in a very male dominated field and can give the kind of advice and support that isn't to be found in a manual."