In this personal reflection for Adtech Today’s Women’s Day series, Priyanka Mehra looks back on the moments, mentors, and quiet lessons that shaped her leadership journey. From learning to hold her ground early in her career to understanding the importance of mentorship and support systems, she reflects on how leadership is often built through the people who stand beside us.
Learning to Hold Your Ground
Throughout my professional journey, I have been fortunate to find support and mentorship in many places.
In many cases, this was less a function of the organizations I worked in and more a reflection of my own instinct to seek guidance and perspective. Support came from older industry colleagues, from bosses, and from a closely knit circle of friends.
There are, however, certain moments that remain etched in my memory.
I remember a meeting where the Vice President repeatedly talked over me — raising his voice and dismissing the points I was trying to make. When I finally managed to get my voice heard, I persisted in presenting a perspective that did not align with his. While reviewing a contract, I had identified a loophole that had been overlooked.
The CEO at the time, who was a woman, listened carefully to my point of view and the facts I presented. She took a stand and asked the Vice President to apologize.
For a young professional, however, receiving an apology from a powerful and somewhat overbearing C-suite executive was not something I knew how to navigate gracefully. I fumbled through the moment, coming across unsure of myself.
Later, the CEO shared a lesson that has stayed with me ever since.
When someone stands up for you or champions you, she said, the first response should be gratitude. But equally important is being gracious and strong, acknowledging the moment while setting a clear boundary for the future.
She also taught me another lesson that I carry with me to this day: “Always enter a room with your head held high.”
Looking back now, I realise that moment was more than simply professional validation — it was sponsorship in action.
The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship
Interestingly, research also shows that women are just as ambitious as men when it comes to advancing their careers, but access to mentorship and advocacy often determines whether they ultimately reach senior leadership roles.
On that same note, I strongly believe that we owe it to the people we lead to stand up for them whenever the need arises. I have had the satisfaction of doing this on a number of occasions, irrespective of the brunt I may have had to bear.
Would I do it differently? No.
There is also an important role for senior leaders in helping younger women understand the difference between being assertive and being perceived as arrogant, while encouraging them to become subject matter experts so they can truly own their seat at the table and have a voice.
Whilst support and encouragement can come from any quarter, there is often particular value placed on women supporting or mentoring other women, because it creates a sense of psychological safety — someone who has been on that journey, who understands the doubts, the subtle barriers, and the moments when confidence may waver.
The McKinsey and LeanIn Women in the Workplace study, one of the largest global studies on women at work, has surveyed more than 480,000 employees across over 1,000 companies. It finds that women leaders often spend more time mentoring and
supporting other women than men do, helping to strengthen the pipeline of future female leaders.
This is especially significant given that women still hold only around 28–29% of C-suite roles globally — a reminder that while progress has been made, true parity remains a work in progress.
“Leadership is often shaped not just by the roles we hold, but by the people who choose to stand beside us and guide us along the way.”
Leadership in Practice
Today, four years into my time at COMvergence, I find myself viewing leadership through a different lens.
One of the most striking aspects of our organization is that women outnumber men in our global team. Coming from a range of cultures and ethnic backgrounds, our annual summits and team calls often feel like a melting pot of ideas and shared experiences.
What I appreciate most is that there is very little underlying nuance around gender in how we work together.
That feels liberating.
It allows each of us the space to focus on doing our jobs to the best of our ability, bringing our perspectives to the table with confidence and thriving in our uniqueness.
The Support Systems That Shape Us
Leadership is often shaped not just by the roles we hold, but by the people who choose to stand beside us, guide us, and sometimes challenge us to stand a little taller.
Equally, the support systems we have at home play an integral role. I believe that to put your best foot forward in one arena, you need support in the other.
I have been fortunate to have had the unwavering support of my mother through the highs and lows of my career — something I cherish deeply.
And perhaps that is the essence of leadership: not just finding your own voice but helping others discover theirs.
This article is part of Adtech Today’s Women Who Lead series, celebrating the journeys, lessons, and leadership philosophies of women shaping the industry.
