Interview with Maria Zelkovskaya.

"Celebrating Women Volunteers: Insights & Inspiration" series.

Our goal at BeeQueen is to empower and elevate women and promote a more equal and inclusive society. We think it's important to recognize and value the achievements and voices of women. 

As one of the ways to shine a light on women's work and impact, we interview women volunteers and share their remarkable stories. And our next incredible guest is Maria Zelkovskaya!

“The most rewarding part of mentoring and volunteering is witnessing a positive transformation in people's minds, perspectives, and approaches.”

Professional background 

Maria Zelkovskaya is a transformational visionary with 15+ years of diverse leadership and board advisory experience in global consumer goods companies (Danone, ABInBev) and top-tier consultancy firms (EY). 

She is an expert in the delivery of change at scale and dedicated to fostering growth through innovation, technology, efficiency, and the empowerment of individuals. 

Where did your volunteering journey begin? 

— I am volunteering for several organizations and causes. At RightBrains NL, my mission is to empower more women with digital transformational skills and help those who are already in the industry navigate career and growth challenges.

At BrandedU, I participate in the Women Visibility Mentorship Program, with the mission to empower and increase the visibility of women in organizations so that they can bring more impact.

And also, I am mentoring women at FemaleVentures NL. 

How long have you been volunteering, and how has it impacted you personally? 

— I started volunteering actively a year ago, and it impacted me a lot. Since my relocation to the Netherlands in 2019, I’ve been searching for opportunities to contribute back to society and become an active part of it. Covid hindered this process a bit, but once society returned back to normal, I started searching for opportunities. 

What surprised me a lot and attracted the most attention is women's representation both at the top level and in the digital sphere in Dutch society. As I happened to be already at a quite senior level and also, due to my international upbringing, happened to have various and different experiences, I saw this as an opportunity for impact.

“The more mentees I can have, the more seeds of change I can plant in society and help it change in the long run.”

What skills do you bring to volunteer work?

— Mentoring: helping mentees navigate growth, complexities, career management, corporate politics, and work-life balance.

What moments have been most rewarding, and how do you manage your volunteering commitments?

— Most rewarding (both in personal mentoring, business mentoring, or advisory) is to see the transformation that happens in minds, view points, strategies, and ways of acting or reacting, which results in seeing new opportunities for development and growth. Commitments here are only time and consistency, and you manage it through your calendar and setting priorities.

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering for different causes or organizations?

— Giving back, contributing to someone else’s growth, be it a person or a business — this is how I am wired. And I strive for better social and community integration in my new-home-base country, the Netherlands. So this all just seems logical. And I do have a lot of energy, too.

From your perspective, to what extent do you believe your volunteering contributes to positive change in the community and has overall social impact? 

— I judge by the feedback and transformation that happen in the people I mentor. The more mentees I can have, the more seeds of change I could plant in society and help it change in the long run. The women would feel empowered to lead, to be seen, to grow, and to impact the corporate world, so for each and every sub-generation, it would be easier. 

In the end, it all leads to equality, diversity, and women's representation in all industries and sectors, as well as at all hierarchical and leadership levels. I want my kids to live in a better society. That’s why I'm trying to make it better already.

“The more organizations with similar causes collaborate, the bigger the impact would be.”

What challenges do you encounter in your volunteer work? 

— As I am part of various mentorship programs, I do see potential for cross-pollination and growth (=impact) if only the efforts could be united, at least partially. In other words, the more organizations with similar causes collaborate, the bigger the impact would be.

With your wealth of experience and knowledge, how do you approach mentoring and guiding other women volunteers?

— I use various mentoring and coaching techniques, depending on the specific needs of the mentee, while also sharing my experience, connecting to networks, advising on communication and leadership styles, and management techniques and perspectives.

Any advice for aspiring volunteers ready to invest their time and talents for lasting impact?

— Look for a community that resonates with your own values, goals, views, and aspirations. As volunteering should always come from the heart, only then it will be a fulfilling activity that gives (not takes) energy and inspiration. The impact will follow itself.