Mentor: Anna Haldewang, Corporate Engagement Manager for Started Up Foundation
Mentee: Fabio Castiblanco, PhD candidate at Purdue University
Why did you initially decide to apply to the Agbioscience Mentorship Program (AMP)? What were you hoping to gain from this experience?
Fabio: As a mentee, I was looking towards learning more about engaging with corporate, gaining new skills, developing new skills in networking, and also getting experiences, like first-hand experiences from my mentor. I got a lot from her.
Anna: And I was hoping to help share my knowledge with being in the innovation space and startup world for the past eight years and my experience today with Agbioscience and other companies. So, hoping to share my resources with talented students like Fabio and be able to provide the talents that I have and be able to share that with him and help him grow in his career.
How do your skills and interests align with each other as a mentor and mentee? What have you learned?
Anna: My background is as an executive in the startup space, and when AgriNovus paired us together, Fabio has a PhD in electrical and computer engineering. I thought, okay, how is this going to match? Where, where can I provide him expertise? And a lot of that had to do with my networking within the space and being able to share my sales skillsets and help him navigate different areas of the social aspect of his career.
Fabio: So, we connected well. There were experiences that we both had, even though we were in very different domains. Also, a few times I fell out of my comfort zone, which meant that I was learning something. So that was great.
What has been your favorite part of this program and experience?
Anna: My favorite part was getting to know Fabio and building that trust with him and I hope that in the future he still knows that he can come to me for anything that he needs as he continues to succeed in his own career.
Fabio: What I really liked a lot was more than a mentor-mentee relationship, like establishing a friendship bond. That’s what’s most valuable for me.
What is something you would tell any college student or young professional that might be thinking about applying for AMP 2026?
Anna: For any student out there that’s looking to be a part of the Mentor-Mentee program, I highly recommend it. You’re building a special connection between you and your mentor that will hopefully go beyond just this program.
Fabio: For anyone interested in joining, it’s so worth it. You’ll gain a lot and more than knowledge. Having someone by your side is probably the best.
Field Atlas AMP is a guided year-long mentorship program that connects late college and early professionals to industry leaders excelling in their field. Fast track your professional journey through impactful mentorship and connection. Apply for our 2026 AMP Cohort here!
