About Us
The people behind Mentino
The Story
Ethan Branzuela, Founder
I'm Ethan, 15, from the Bay Area. I shoot sports photography for professional and collegiate athletes. When I was trying to get better, I cold-DM'd photographers I followed online. A few responded. Those conversations taught me more in a few weeks than years of tutorials ever did.
That experience made something obvious: one real conversation with someone who's already done the thing is worth more than any amount of research. I kept asking myself why this wasn't easier for every student.
So I built Mentino. A free platform where any student can find a verified professional in their field and just talk to them. No connections required. No luck needed.
That stuck with me.
I started looking around and seeing it everywhere. Athletes who made it had coaches. Doctors who made it had mentors. Lawyers, engineers, founders: almost every person I looked up to had someone older who showed them how things actually worked. Not from a book. From real experience. That's the thing you can't Google.
That's why I created Mentino.
A free platform to make mentorship accessible to every student.
My Vision
"One day, a student should be able to click a button and instantly connect with the right mentor for their dream career."
- If you want to become a CEO, you should speak to one.
- If you want to become a doctor, you should learn from one.
- If you want to work in sports, law, tech, or science, you should have direct access.
The Challenges
Building this at 15 has been genuinely hard. Getting people to take you seriously when you're a teenager asking them to volunteer their time is not easy. My reach is limited, and there's no playbook for this.
But I've learned more building Mentino than I have sitting in a classroom. And every time I see a student get matched with someone they actually connect with, it feels worth it.
Focus on impact. Growth follows.
Why Trust Mentino?
I'm 15. I'm not a career coach or a therapist or a guidance counselor. But I've seen firsthand what happens when someone who knows their field sits down and actually talks to you. It changes things. I built Mentino because I wanted more students to have that experience, not just the ones whose parents happen to know the right people.
Access
Every student deserves opportunity
Authenticity
Real mentors with real experience
Impact
Conversations that create long-term growth
This isn't about networking for status. It's about building bridges through conversation. And sometimes, one mentor is all it takes to change a life.
Our Co-Advisors
Mentino is guided by experienced leaders who bring decades of real-world expertise to help shape the platform and support its mission.
Anthony Branzuela
Co-Advisor
Anthony is an automotive industry leader with over 30 years of experience in dealership management, sales strategy, and business operations. Throughout his career, he has led luxury and mainstream automotive brands, including Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini, and Ford, while driving operational growth and building high-performing sales teams. As an advisor to Mentino, Anthony provides guidance on entrepreneurship, business strategy, customer experience, and developing partnerships that help students connect with career opportunities.
Joanne Branzuela
Co-Advisor
Joanne is an experienced healthcare leader and registered nurse with expertise in nursing leadership, program development, and operational excellence. With a background in operating room and ambulatory care management, she has led interdisciplinary teams, driven quality improvement initiatives, and built high-performing healthcare organizations. As an advisor to Mentino, Joanne provides guidance on leadership, strategic planning, and creating meaningful experiences that empower students to explore their future careers.
Come be part of it.
If you're a student trying to figure out your path, sign up. If you're someone who's already figured something out and wants to share it, we genuinely need you.