Creating Change Through Connection: The Femme Palette Story

Spending six years in San Francisco, the heart of tech and innovation, had a profound impact on Lucie Neumannová. With her experience in marketing and UX design, she saw firsthand how transformative mentorship could be. “Mentorship made a big difference at key points in my career—like when I landed my first marketing job, switched to UX design, and beyond,” Lucie recalled. This belief in the power of mentorship became the foundation for Femme Palette, a platform that’s now reshaping professional growth around the world.

  

A Community Born from Experience

Femme Palette started from her own experiences. “As an expat, I loved being part of women’s communities where I could connect, learn, and build friendships,” she said. Even while living abroad, Lucie wanted to create something meaningful for her home in the Czech Republic. Together with her co-founder Klara Holikova, she launched Femme Palette—a space where women could come together, share their stories, and support each other in their professional journeys.

What began as a supportive community has evolved into a thriving organization with a global mission. “After hosting events for a few years, we saw how impactful they were and wanted to make it our full-time focus. We realized there was a real need for 1:1 mentoring,” Lucie explained. Today, Femme Palette not only helps individuals but also partners with companies to strengthen their teams through mentorship.

A Vision Expanding Beyond Borders

Today, Femme Palette boasts over 1,600 successful mentor-mentee matches and a vibrant network of 5,000+ members. The platform’s reach extends globally, and its programs are designed to be accessible across languages and time zones. “Our goal is to make Femme Palette accessible to people in many countries,” said Lucie. The Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam, has emerged as a thriving local hub where members gather for networking events. 

The Power of Personal Stories

Stories like Šárka’s are a testament to Femme Palette’s impact. “Šárka, who worked in HR, aspired to become a designer. With her mentor Michaela’s help, she made the transition successfully,” Lucie recounted. The story didn’t end there—their professional relationship blossomed into a genuine friendship, underscoring how mentorship can evolve beyond career development into meaningful, lasting bonds.

Mentorship: A Catalyst for Success

Lucie’s belief in the power of mentorship is more than just professional—it’s personal. “I had a mentor who helped me move into a new role, and it sped up the process by showing me which skills I needed and guiding me along the way,” she shared. It’s this guiding philosophy that permeates Femme Palette’s approach. “Mentoring helps you learn from someone else’s experiences, making it easier to reach your goals.”

Beyond Mentorship: A Comprehensive Growth Platform

While mentorship remains the core of Femme Palette, it’s only the beginning. The platform offers workshops, coaching sessions, and both virtual and live events, creating ample opportunities for learning and connection. Members also gain access to valuable resources, such as e-books and guides. “By offering these additional tools, we help our community members grow and reach their professional goals,” said Lucie.

Looking Ahead

The journey from a personal realization in San Francisco to leading a global movement has been nothing short of inspiring. Femme Palette continues to evolve with an unwavering mission: to empower individuals to thrive in their careers through mentorship and community. As Lucie aptly put it, “We’re still here to help as many people as we can grow in their careers.”

For anyone looking to connect, grow, and contribute to a network that truly cares, Femme Palette offers more than mentorship—it offers a path to transformation.

Femme Palette is a member of the CDCC, and we have organized joint events, such as one on AI and the future of work at Equals in Amsterdam.