Female figureheads can play a pivotal role on the path your career can take. Ana Cingara, Brand Manager at Shiseido Company, credits her rise through the ranks and successful journey to the amazing women who have supported her along the way.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support and guidance from the different women in my life, whether they be my mother, my female friends or work colleagues.

It is very important for women to support each other. There is something very unique in the support women give as opposed to your partner or family. Women understand each other better, especially emotionally.

When I was working in London for Estée Lauder, I met Maleka Dattu, the General Manager of Origins skincare at the time. Although I didn’t work closely with Maleka I stayed in touch with her over the years. I was amazed at this woman’s energy and willingness to help people. She went out of her way to help me whenever I asked. I never experienced this in a professional setting before. I remember emailing her when I was in Toronto whilst she was living in New York, and her answering within minutes with a solution.

I learned that we all need to be open, positive and supportive towards each other. After this experience I go out of my way to help junior women in their careers. It is incredibly important for women to have support, especially when they are starting their careers and the working world is new to them. There is a strong element of reciprocity in this relationship and I find that by helping others I essentially help myself as well.

After moving back to Toronto, I met an incredible woman called Barb Sheperd currently working as a National Director at Bennett Jones LLP in Toronto. How do I describe this woman? She has very high emotional intelligence and is really good with people and is completely comfortable in her own skin and incredibly fun to be around! We had so much fun working together at Smashbox Cosmetics and she consequently became my mentor. It is vastly rewarding to be able to have someone so senior answer my professional questions. Although she is an ocean apart, I know she is always there for me.

Barb Sheperd’s motto is Joie de Vivre, always live life to the fullest. She actually has this tattooed on her wrist as a constant reminder. This is definitely something I try to do in my daily life.