A headstart for tomorrow’s leaders: what young professionals stand to gain from INREV’s Mentorship Programme

Today’s young professionals enter an industry shaped by volatility, shifting market dynamics and rising stakeholder expectations. Technical expertise alone is no longer enough. What truly differentiates future leaders is their ability to communicate effectively, think strategically, manage stakeholders and navigate complex organisational environments with confidence. The INREV Young Professionals Mentorship Programme provides a unique opportunity to develop these essential skills. 

By connecting emerging talent with senior market leaders as well as other industry peers, the programme creates a space for learning that goes beyond day-to-day roles. It enables mentees to ask the questions they do not always have the opportunity to raise at work, to explore the bigger picture of the industry and to develop the interpersonal and strategic skills that underpin long-term career success. 

Learning with those who have walked the path 

The programme’s mentors bring decades of experience, but perhaps more importantly, they bring a willingness to share their journeys candidly. As Jeroen Winkelman, Senior Advisor at a.s.r. Real Assets Investment Partners notes, “Your mentor at the INREV Young Professionals Mentorship Programme is keen to openly share experiences, help you to avoid common mistakes they’ve made in the past and sharpen your view for a brighter perspective on opportunities.” Mentees have a unique opportunity to learn not only from their mentors’ successes, but also from their setbacks.  

Mentorship also offers clarity on how the industry works beneath the surface. Antoaneta Golling, Senior VP and Head of European Fund Management at Prologis explains, it provides “perspective that is difficult to gain through day-to-day roles alone, including an understanding of the less visible dynamics of corporate life.” For mentees, this means access to insights that often remain unspoken within organisations. This knowledge can help them anticipate challenges earlier and approach decisions with a more informed, balanced view. 

Building resilience in a changing environment 

Today’s market environment requires more than operational competence. Achille Simo, Executive Director of Strategic Value Advisory at JLL, captures this reality, describing how the current market makes it “challenging to make the right calls and decisions.” In this context, the INREV Mentorship Programme becomes more than a development tool; it becomes a support system. And INREV “sets a high bar for what great mentorship programmes should look like”, he adds. 

Through open discussions on real-life scenarios, industry trends and market cycles, mentees strengthen their ability to assess risk, think long term and increase their confidence, even in uncertain times. 

Creating a network that lasts 

The programme is all about building genuine connections. Andrew Pettit, Founding Partner of REVCAP, has mentored two cohorts, and reflects that “all of us in the group seem to learn from each other’s experiences,” recognising that the exchange enriches both sides. Jeroen emphasises, the programme is “much fun too, as all benefit, including the mentor learning from eager, sharp mentees”. This mutual respect fosters relationships that last well beyond the programme itself. 

For mentees, these early professional bonds can become a lifelong network. Throughout the programme, they engage not only with a mentor, but with peers who share similar aspirations and challenges. The programme strengthens these relationships and encourages a mindset of collaboration from the outset of their careers. 

Confidence, curiosity and career development 

Ultimately, mentorship is about growth. It helps young professionals understand different career paths across the industry, articulate their goals and ambitions, identify the steps needed to achieve them and strengthen the skills that will set them apart. Oscar Ciudad Apolinar, VP and Head of Client Relations DACH, Southern Europe & Latin America at Prologis, puts it simply: mentorship is “both a responsibility and a privilege,” and programmes that create the space to “share experiences, challenge perspectives, and support emerging talent” can have a lasting impact. 

For mentees, this experience could offer a clearer sense of direction and the confidence to take ownership of their development. As Achille explains, the mentorship offers young professionals guidance to “become better versions of themselves and more effective contributors to the future of our industry”. 

Preparing the next generation of industry leaders 

For those looking to develop essential skills for long-term growth, broaden their industry perspective and actively advance their career path, the INREV Young Professionals Mentorship Programme offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from those shaping the sector today. 

The INREV Young Professionals Mentorship Programme for 2026-2027 is officially open for mentee applications. Find out more on our dedicated page or apply now.