Laura Olson-Reyes on Leading Through Connection: Why the Best Mentors Learn as Much as They Teach

"A standout moment for me was when I was mentoring someone who lives on the Isle of Man; a different country and continent thousands of miles across the ocean from me."

Sometimes the most profound realizations come from the most unexpected places. For Laura Olson-Reyes, Chief Marketing Officer at BMM Innovation Group in Las Vegas, that moment of clarity came during a video call with a mentee living thousands of miles away on the Isle of Man.

"In getting to know her, I found that we both struggle with big and little things related to our career, even something so small as finding time to get a yoga class in after work. It just made me realize how very small the world is and that we are all connected in small and big ways."

The Power of Shared Experience

As a two-time mentor in the Global Gaming Women Mentorship Program, Laura was initially drawn to mentorship as a way to share her experience and help women in the gaming industry "hone their leadership style, identify their strengths, and hopefully learn something from my failures and successes." What she discovered was something far more transformational.

"I really grew to have a deep affection for both women who I mentored," Laura shares. "They came from dramatically different backgrounds and have very different jobs, but I found that we all have the same challenges and insecurities."

This revelation became the cornerstone of Laura's mentorship philosophy. Despite different continents, cultures, and career paths, the fundamental experiences of professional women in gaming created an immediate and powerful bond.

Breaking Through Professional Isolation

Laura's mentorship experiences illuminated a crucial insight about women in the workplace: "Often, women just accept the challenges and plod along, without complaining. We just roll up our sleeves and tackle things. It helps to have these mentee-mentor relationships and share honestly with each other."

The qualities that made the biggest impact on Laura were "humility, honesty, and a sincere desire to be a better leader and employee." These characteristics created a safe space for authentic vulnerability and mutual growth, demonstrating that mentorship is truly a two-way street.

"Even though I was a mentor, I learned so much from both of my mentees," Laura emphasizes. This reciprocal learning challenged traditional notions of mentorship as a one-directional relationship and revealed the transformational potential when both parties approach the relationship with openness.

Redefining Connection in a Digital World

Laura's experience proves that meaningful mentorship doesn't require physical proximity. Her cross-continental relationship demonstrated that video conferences can foster deep, lasting connections when built on genuine care and shared experience.

"It is so comforting to understand that we all face the same challenges, insecurities, and vulnerabilities, whether you live on the Isle of Man, in the mountains of Idaho, or Las Vegas," Laura observes. This universal connection became a source of strength and validation for both mentor and mentees.

Leading with Grace

When asked about resources for women in tech seeking growth, Laura recommends Leading Gracefully by Monique Svazlian Tallon, noting that "it sums up my leadership style." This recommendation reflects how Laura approaches mentorship—with grace, humility, and genuine care for others' development.

Her mentorship philosophy centers on creating space for honest dialogue about the challenges women face, from career advancement to work-life balance, recognizing that these conversations can be both healing and empowering.

A Call to Action

Laura's message to women considering the Global Gaming Women mentorship program is unequivocal: "I would say yes, do it in a heartbeat! You'll learn more about yourself and other women in this industry."

She particularly values how the program offers flexibility for busy professionals: "OneUpOneDown is an easy way to contribute to Global Gaming Women when you are busy and have a hard time finding time to attend events and in-person training classes. And you are building potentially lifelong relationships with amazing women in our industry that you'll hopefully continue to foster, long after the mentee-mentor relationship ends."

The Lasting Impact

Laura's transformational mentorship experience reshaped her understanding of professional relationships and the power of connection. What began as an opportunity to share knowledge evolved into a profound recognition of our shared humanity across geographical and cultural boundaries.

Her story demonstrates that mentorship's greatest value lies not just in career advancement or skill development, but in the comfort and strength that comes from knowing we're not alone in our professional journeys. In a world that can feel increasingly disconnected, Laura's experience reminds us that meaningful relationships—and transformation—are just a conversation away.