Mentor Spotlight: Betsy Nguyen's Journey of Giving and Growing in Motorsport

Meet Betsy

Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Betsy Nguyen brings a diverse professional background to the motorsport community. Having recently transitioned from a Team Lead role at a Chronic Disease Management program to working as an Executive Assistant at Racing Tech, Betsy embodies the adaptability and determination that characterise successful professionals in the motorsport industry.

A Two-Way Street: Experiences as Both Mentor and Mentee

What makes Betsy's story particularly compelling is her engagement with mentorship from both sides. Her journey illustrates how the mentorship ecosystem thrives when individuals commit to both learning and sharing knowledge.

The Mentor's Journey

Finding Inspiration in Guidance

When asked what inspired her to become a mentor, Betsy speaks to a motivation many women in motorsport can relate to:

"I wanted to be able to share my knowledge and experience so that young women who were entering motorsports didn't feel alone or lost. And that I could provide some guidance to ease any pressure or concerns that they had."

This desire to create a more welcoming path for newcomers stems from understanding the unique challenges women face in the motorsport environment.

Creating Breakthrough Moments

One particularly impactful experience in Betsy's mentoring journey centred around mental strength and the unique perspectives women bring to motorsport:

"I would say having a discussion with my mentees about how powerful the mental state can be, and how much it influences our decisions moving forward. We also talked about the strength women have in motorsport, that our empathy, perspective-taking, and willingness to be vulnerable create opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and increased performance."

This conversation highlights how mentorship in motorsport goes beyond technical skills to address the mindset required for success in a challenging industry.

Personal Growth Through Giving

Like many mentors, Betsy found that guiding others enhanced her own development:

"It's has made me into a better leader and has provided me reassurance that I have the capacity to support others through the knowledge and experience I have gained through the years."

This reciprocal benefit of mentorship—where mentors grow while helping others grow—creates a powerful cycle of continuous improvement within the motorsport community.

Advice for New Mentors

For those considering taking their first steps into mentorship, Betsy offers enthusiastic encouragement:

"I highly recommend it! It gives you an opportunity to reflect on how far you have gone on your journey, but also how your story can help another and inspire someone to continue to push forward towards their dreams. It shows your mentee that they are not alone and that their dreams aren't silly, because you are the living proof."

Her perspective emphasises the validating power of mentorship—showing others that their aspirations are legitimate through your own lived experience.

The Value of Mentorship

On why mentorship matters in motorsport, Betsy shares:

"I believe mentorship is important because you get to give back to an amazing community and provide guidance and courage to someone. I believe mentoring gives people the support to go after their goals and dreams."

The Mentee's Perspective

Seeking Growth and Connection

In her role as a mentee, Betsy approached the relationship with clear intentions:

"I wanted to seek out a mentor to learn and grow with. I was hoping to gain more insight on what it takes to excel in the motorsport industry and learn new skills."

This clarity about her goals helped maximise the value of her mentorship experience.

Creating Tangible Impact

One of Betsy's proudest achievements through mentorship demonstrates the concrete outcomes that can result from these relationships:

"An amazing achievement that I experienced through my mentorship was creating a social media community for supporting mental health in motorsport with the future goal to connect individuals internationally to resources and free information to support mental health in motorsport."

This initiative showcases how mentorship can catalyse projects that benefit the broader motorsport community, addressing important needs that might otherwise go unmet.

Building Confidence and Belonging

The personal benefits of being mentored have been significant for Betsy:

"It has made me more confident and moving forward with my goals. It has also provided me a sense of belonging and that what I want to do isn't silly or wrong, but instead celebrated by others."

This sense of validation and community is particularly valuable in an industry where women may still sometimes feel like outsiders.

Encouragement for Potential Mentees

For those considering seeking a mentor, Betsy offers a hearty recommendation:

"I highly recommend it, the wealth of knowledge that you will gain from this experience is incomparable. And the support and guidance have been inspiring to say the least."

The Meaning of Mentorship

When asked to distill what mentorship has meant to her in one word or sentence, Betsy's response is simply yet profound:

"Everything."

The Cycle of Support

Betsy's dual role as both mentor and mentee illustrates the beautiful cycle of support that the FIA Women in Motorsport mentorship program fosters. As women gain knowledge and confidence through being mentored, many feel empowered to then extend that same support to others entering the field—creating a growing network of women supporting women in motorsport.

Her story demonstrates that no matter where you are in your motorsport journey, you have both something to learn and something to give.