Mentor Spotlight: Babak Andishmand on Leadership, Resilience, and Empowering Others
Technology leader Babak Andishmand shares his journey from arriving in NYC with $200 during Hurricane Sandy to becoming a mentor who empowers leaders to thrive in uncertainty.
Welcome to our Mentor Spotlight series, where we feature exceptional mentors from our platform who are making a difference in their mentees' lives. Today, we're excited to share insights from Babak Andishmand, a technology operations leader whose journey from a teenage entrepreneur to an industry thought leader exemplifies the transformative power of mentorship.
Corporate Leader, Public Speaker, Lecturer, Mentor
With over 12 years of management experience across the Film, Media, and Technology sectors in both Amsterdam and New York, Babak has a proven track record of driving high-performance teams and delivering impactful results. As a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Amsterdam School of Business, he teaches about the principles of inclusive, human and growth-driven leadership from a cultural and operational excellence standpoint. We sat down with him to discuss his journey and mentorship philosophy.
Q: Tell us about yourself and your professional background.
Babak: I am a technology operations leader with over 12 years of experience in guiding teams at the intersection of content creation and technology. I teach as a guest lecturer at the University of Amsterdam School of Business and frequently speak at industry conferences and seminars. My key areas of expertise include corporate culture, future-proofing technology, and leadership principles that enable organizations to thrive in fast-changing environments.
Q: How did your career journey begin?
Babak: My professional path has been shaped by a mix of technology, creativity, and cultural exploration. I studied Computer Science with a focus on network engineering and information security, alongside studies in Audio Visual Arts and Persian Literature. At the age of 14, I founded my first company, building websites for small businesses. Armed with a skateboard and a one-page flyer, I pitched my services to shop owners, presenting myself as part of a company, when in fact, I was the sole employee. It taught me customer empathy, adaptability, and trust building at a very young age.
Years later, I moved into leadership roles, drawn naturally to steering teams, influencing outcomes, and scaling impact. Whether leading operations in fast-paced environments or teaching students in academic settings, I've remained guided by the principle of empowering others while staying adaptable in the face of change.
Q: Can you share a defining moment from your mentoring experience?
Babak: One of my most formative mentoring moments came during my early years in New York City. I arrived in 2012 with only $200 in my pocket, landing on Halloween night just as Hurricane Sandy hit. With half the city in darkness, transportation paralyzed, and people struggling, I experienced firsthand the power of resilience and community. Within days, I stepped into a leadership role, managing an 11-member team of production coordinators while also volunteering at inner-city schools to teach art to pre-teens.
During this time, I mentored young people navigating uncertainty with little guidance, much like myself. Seeing them develop confidence reminded me how essential mentorship is in moments of disruption. It reinforced my belief that guidance during uncertain times can transform someone's trajectory.
Q: Why did you become a mentor?
Babak: Mentorship has been a natural extension of my own journey. I credit much of my growth to the guidance and encouragement I received from mentors at different stages of my life, and I see it as both a responsibility, joy and a privilege to pass that forward. Early in my career, I recognized that true leaders are not defined solely by their individual contributions, but by their ability to empower others, create alignment, and foster solutions in uncertain moments.
Mentoring allows me to share lessons learned, challenge conventional thinking, and help others navigate complex paths with clarity. What keeps me engaged is seeing mentees grow into confident, resilient professionals who discover their own voice and potential and prepare entry-level or aspiring leaders with a solid foundation for their next chapter.
Q: How has mentoring impacted your own professional growth?
Babak: Mentoring has profoundly shaped my professional growth. It has pushed me to frame challenges through the lens of others, and to communicate with clarity across different levels of experience. Guiding mentees has also deepened my own leadership principles. I am reminded constantly that leadership is less about having all the answers, and more about creating the conditions where others can thrive.
Through mentoring, I've strengthened my ability to adapt frameworks to unique individuals rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions. Most importantly, it has reinforced the idea that growth is a shared journey: as my mentees evolve, I evolve alongside them.
Q: What do your mentees typically seek guidance on?
Babak: My mentees often come to me at transitional points, whether preparing for leadership roles, navigating organizational complexity, or clarifying their long-term career goals. Common themes include building confidence, managing imposter syndrome, and learning how to influence without authority.
I also mentor students who bring ambitious thesis projects and bold ideas. I value the openness and fresh perspective they bring, as it prevents confinement to rigid structures and allows imagination to flourish. Many mentees are searching for frameworks to balance creativity with structure, or vision with execution, and I enjoy guiding them to unlock both discipline and innovation.
Q: What would you say to someone considering seeking a mentor?
Babak: Based on my experience, both as a mentee and mentor, I'd say that mentorship during uncertain times can truly transform your trajectory. It's not just about getting answers—it's about learning to create conditions where you can thrive, discovering your voice, and building confidence to navigate complex paths. The right mentor will help you balance vision with execution and challenge your thinking while supporting your growth.
Connect with Babak
Babak's story demonstrates how mentorship creates a ripple effect of growth, benefiting both mentors and mentees. His approach—combining technical expertise with creative thinking, and leadership with empathy—makes him an invaluable guide for professionals navigating career transitions or seeking to develop their leadership capabilities.
If you're looking to build confidence, navigate organizational complexity, or balance creativity with structure in your professional journey, connect with Babak on our platform.
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