Mentorship is the cornerstone of growth, innovation, and development. It’s also a critical tool for professional growth, and no matter where you are in your career, it’s never too early — or too late — to find a mentor. That belief inspired the leaders of our oxyGEN DFW employee group to create the Pathways Mentoring Program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to broaden perspectives, break down silos, and foster career autonomy for professionals at all stages in their careers.
oxyGEN DFW President Tonie Martinez and Director of Professional Development Ana Dominguez told us about their respective career paths and how their experiences inspired Pathways.
Tonie Martinez
Lead Product Marketing Manager
“The Pathways Mentoring Program was born out of my own journey. When I transitioned from a sales role into marketing, I quickly realized the steep learning curve ahead of me. I identified gaps in my skill set that I hadn’t previously faced. For the first time, I felt the uphill climb of acquiring completely new competencies. It was during this moment of vulnerability that I recognized the power of mentorship — not just for me, but for anyone navigating unexplored career paths.
I knew others must have experienced something similar, and I wanted to create a solution for those who would come after me. By addressing skill gaps early through mentorship, individuals can shift from a reactive approach to a proactive one. This forward-thinking mindset allows us to build a more agile and diversified workforce. This is exactly what sets Pathways apart – its thoughtfully designed rotational approach. Mentees work with leaders across different organizational segments, gaining both micro and macro views of the company. This structure provides invaluable insights into navigating diverse career pathways.”
Ana Dominguez
Lead Data Scientist
“As the Director of Professional Development, my journey has been deeply influenced by the support and guidance I received from mentors who believed in me. Those experiences sparked my passion for paying it forward. Working alongside the oxyGEN team to create this program has been a privilege. Together, we’re cultivating a culture of mentorship that empowers the next generation of leaders. Our proudest achievement is witnessing the ripple effect Pathways has created. Mentees are setting SMART goals, building relationships, and growing into future mentors themselves. We envision Pathways becoming a benchmark for professional development; positively influencing careers, our organization, and even the industry. Our inaugural cohort included 42 mentees and 26 mentors from all levels of leadership. These relationships have already started to transform mentees into confident professionals while fostering collaboration and connection throughout the DFW community.
Mentorship isn’t just about professional growth — it’s about finding purpose and fostering a culture of support and collaboration. It’s a journey worth taking, at any stage of your career. We are fully committed to investing in mentorship opportunities and look forward to launching a reverse mentoring program in the near future, where newly hired employees will take lead in sharing their unique skills and perspectives to seasoned leaders.
The Pathways Mentoring Program is our love letter to our membership and the entire organization. It’s purposefully structured, with a guidebook ensuring every session is meaningful and impactful for both mentees and mentors. Whether you’re a ‘rookie’ just starting out or a ‘seasoned veteran’ leader looking to give back, we welcome you to join us on this mission to empower tomorrow, today!”
What participants are saying
“Mentoring has always been a passion of mine. As a mentor I get equal if not more out of meeting new people, learning what they do, what drives them, and where I can help as a leader in the AT&T business. With almost 30 years of experience in this industry, I have learned that people and the relationships you have in the workplace make all the difference in the world. And frankly, makes work more fun and productive!”
Jennifer Boyanovsky — Audience Marketing & Planning & oxyGEN DFW Pathways Mentor
“The Pathways Mentorship Program not only connected me with a great mentor but also with peers in different organizations. Gaining insight into various parts of the business has been a welcomed learning curve and an opportunity to build relationships. Overall, I’m grateful for my mentor; she has inspired me to continue networking, provided guidance, and motivated me to pursue personal growth within my career.”
Jenine Jasso — Sr. Client Solutions Executive Public Sector & oxyGEN DFW Pathways Mentee
“I’ve been very impressed with the Pathways program from the first panel discussion that I attended. Each month the program gets better and better as I have been exposed to various business leaders who freely share their personal career journey and wisdom of what it takes to be successful at AT&T. I’ve gained greater insights into different business segments and various functional roles. Thank you oxyGEN for creating such an exceptional mentorship program!”
Latonya Lowry — Lead Product Marketing Audience Marketing & Planning & oxyGEN DFW Pathways Mentee
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