Suraya Hamdulay serves as the Director of Corporate Affairs at Mars Sub-Saharan Africa and brings decades of experience in corporate and public sector leadership to her role. Additionally, she is a qualified executive coach. Pictures Credits: Supplied
This week on Timeless Beauty with Brains, we had the privilege of speaking with Suraya Hamdulay, Corporate Affairs Director at Mars Southern Africa. Progress rarely follows a linear path; instead, it weaves together past experiences with emerging energies, connecting lessons learned to fresh ideas. Mentorship serves as the essential bridge enabling young people to understand their roots, envision future possibilities, and evolve into leaders who prioritize service over status. It fosters a culture where success is measured by lives uplifted, knowledge shared, and communities strengthened.
Mentorship transcends mere guidance—it becomes a foundation for collective growth. It is a living legacy that equips each generation to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and create lasting impact. Melanie Le writes:
Melanie Le (ML): Why is mentorship a cornerstone for building thriving, resilient communities?
Suraya Hamdulay (SH): Mentorship broadens young people’s horizons by connecting lived experience with ambition. It provides guidance that transforms potential into meaningful action. At Mars, investing in mentorship cultivates confidence, shared responsibility, and practical problem-solving skills. This approach not only enhances individual capability but also fortifies the long-term resilience of communities. Through mentorship, intergenerational dialogue flourishes, enabling the transmission and adaptation of knowledge, values, and lessons across time. Communities thrive when experience is shared and informs the growth of the next generation.
ML: How did the guidance you received shape your perspective on leadership?
SH: My mentors taught me that leadership rooted in service generates enduring impact. By openly sharing both lessons and missteps, they emphasized that success is a currency to be circulated, not hoarded. At Mars, mentorship is embedded within our community engagement strategy, helping young people appreciate that growth is both personal and collective. Development contributes to the broader community, and mentoring becomes a shared responsibility that nurtures a culture where service, learning, and opportunity intersect.
ML: How does mentorship differ from sponsorship?
SH: Mentorship is fundamentally relational—it builds confidence, skills, and resilience. Sponsorship, on the other hand, is positional; it offers a platform for individuals to act, elevates their work, and provides visibility. When combined, mentorship and sponsorship create robust community pipelines. Emerging leaders gain the capability to contribute effectively while being positioned for meaningful impact. This dynamic fosters a virtuous cycle where talent is nurtured and recognized, laying the groundwork for sustainable leadership.
ML: How can coaching help young people?
SH: Coaching offers structured reflection, increases self-awareness, and equips young people with practical tools to clarify their goals. It helps them identify strengths, understand their responses under pressure, and make deliberate, informed decisions. At Mars, coaching channels potential into concrete plans, empowering emerging leaders to navigate complexity with purpose, resilience, and adaptability. Coaching bridges intention with action, enabling young people to translate vision into measurable outcomes.
ML: How can organizations create better pathways for young talent to stay and thrive?
SH: The key is to make staying synonymous with opportunity. Structured mentorship programs, leadership development initiatives, expanded access to skills, and creating spaces where young people have a voice in decision-making all contribute to a sense of belonging. At Mars, this holistic approach retains talent by demonstrating that their contributions are valued and that meaningful growth—both professional and personal—is attainable locally. When young people see that their future is part of the community’s future, they engage deeply, innovate boldly, and help build stronger, more resilient communities.
ML: What should leaders commit to in 2026 when it comes to mentorship?
SH: Leaders should commit to consistent and active engagement. This means mentoring, sponsoring, coaching, and advocating for fairness with intentionality. Creating safe, structured spaces for learning and growth is crucial. At Mars, such commitment ensures that emerging leaders receive the support, accountability, and resources necessary to sustain and strengthen communities over time. It also means showing up regularly, investing time and energy, and tracking progress to ensure initiatives remain effective and enduring.
ML: Is it possible for anyone to contribute to the development of our youth, even without a formal title?SH: Absolutely. Contribution doesn’t require authority or a formal position. Offering guidance, encouragement, advice, or making connections can have a profound impact. Small, consistent acts build an invisible network of support that compounds over time. These acts cultivate a culture that intentionally values and develops young leaders, ensuring that opportunity and growth are widely shared and sustainable. Every act of mentorship strengthens the community and contributes to systemic resilience.
