we.grow Mentoring Program

we.grow at ADE 2025

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shesaid.so and ADE Renew Partnership with Return of we.grow Mentoring Program at ADE Lab 2025

shesaid.so is proud to announce the return of its we.grow mentoring program in partnership with Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), as part of ADE Lab 2025. The initiative supports emerging music industry professionals by connecting them directly with senior leaders from across the international dance and electronic scene.

The we.grow program will pair selected mentees with experienced mentors for a dedicated mentoring lunch on Wednesday, 22 October during ADE. This unique opportunity offers mentees one-on-one career guidance and insights into building sustainable futures in music.

2025 Mentors include:

- Steven Braines/Head of Events at Defected & Glitterbox; Co-founder of HE.SHE.THEY and The Weird & The Wonderful

- Sarah Crane/Director of Marketing, Digital & Operations, Defected Records

- Jenna Dooling/Agent, WME (Electronic; London)

- Rufy Ghazi/Music Tech & Research Executive (Audience Strategies, Fair Play, Abbey Road REDD Mentor)

- Taryn Haight/VP, Business Development (Electronic), Wasserman Music

- Ronny Ho/Head of Dance & Electronic Development, Spotify

- Tylie Topdjian/Experiential Marketing Manager, Insomniac Music Group

- Olga Zegers/Music Programmer, Gashouder @ Westergas

How to Apply

Applications are open until 7 October 2025.

To be eligible, applicants must:

- Hold an ADE Lab ticket

- Be in Amsterdam on Wednesday, 22 October

- Be passionate about pursuing a long-term career in the music industry

The program is open to all genders, with priority given to individuals from underrepresented communities and disadvantaged backgrounds.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.shesaidso.amsterdam/

we.grow at ADE: Mentorship Program presented by shesaid.so and ADE Lab

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We are excited to renew our partnership with ADE this year with activities that include the we.grow mentoring program supporting music industry professionals as part of ADE Lab 2024 on October 17, 2024.

we.grow at ADE is a mentorship program presented by ADE Lab and shesaid.so, a global music community of women, gender nonconforming people and allies of all genders whose aim is to create an equitable music industry for all through education, events, mentorship,  networking and job opportunities.

In 2024, the program will focus on supporting music industry professionals, featuring a total of 5 mentors and 5 mentees selected from the shesaid.so community.

Previous shesaid.so mentors came from companies such as Coachella Music Festival, Warner Music, Armada Music, Universal Music Group, YouTube Music, Meta, WME, CAA, Atlantic Records, M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment, Believe and more.

Mentee Sign-Up!

To sign up to the mentoring program as a mentee, click HERE.

Mentees can apply to take part until Sunday, September 29.

** Please note that to participate, you will need to be in Amsterdam during ADE Thursday (17th October).

** Application deadline is September 29 and mentees must have a Lab ticket in order to apply.

Open to all genders, with priority given to people from underrepresented communities and disadvantaged backgrounds.

we.grow at ADE - Mentors

  1. Connie Chow - Marketing Strategy Director - Dance/Electronic, FUGA

  2. Elisa Luengo - Music Programmer, Dekmantel

  3. Jessica Wilson - COO, Seven20 

  4. Phiona Okumu - Head of Sub-Saharan Music, Spotify 

  5. Sam Mobarek - Head of Major Recordings (Warner Records) & Founder of Mob Creative

Mentor/Mentee Commitment

  • Read through & apply the information from the mentoring guidelines we share with you prior to their engagement

  • Attend shesaid.so events if logistically possible

  • Spend at least 1h together throughout your ADE attendance and 1h after ADE (2h in total between October 17th and December 31st, 2024)

About we.grow @ ADE

shesaid.so has been working with ADE since 2017 with a focus on programming around diversity and inclusion in the music industry. 

In 2019 we took our partnership to the next level and introduced she.grows at ADE - a mini-mentoring program that paired 10 senior-level members from the shesaid.so community with mentees selected by ADE University. The scheme included an open call, mentor/mentee matching & training, workshops, networking and a DJ showcase

In 2022 we worked together with ADE to bring back the mentoring program, curate talks as part of ADE Pro, and introduce a shesaid.so space as part of the ADE Lab track powered by Zora and hosted at Lynk & Co’s flagship Amsterdam Club.

In 2023 the program focused on 4 areas of the music business, reflecting the tracks that attendees will be able to engage in as part of ADE Lab 2023:  Artists, Producers, Mixed Media and Music Professionals. The program featured a total of 20 mentors and 20 mentees, with 5 mentor-mentee pairs per each of the four Lab areas.


Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where our global community attending ADE can connect with one another and other industry professionals, in addition to learning.