From ‘Imposter’ to AI Builder: How Marta Strykowska Used Vibe Coding to Break the Glass Ceiling

She went from a business role to building apps faster than senior engineers. Her journey shows how curiosity and mentorship can unlock real potential in Artificial Intelligence. At AI4ALL, we talk a lot about the power of mentorship. We believe it is one of the strongest accelerators for women in tech. But you do not have to take our word for it.

The experience of Marta Strykowska, AI4HER Legacy Award nominee, community speaker, and founder of Ladies Build With AI, is a clear example of how guidance, confidence, and hands-on exploration can reshape a career. Even though she found mentorship on her own, her story reflects exactly what AI4ALL aims to support. Martha’s experience proves that curiosity, paired with the right guidance, can bridge any gap.

Written by Elena Miliaeva and Myrthe van den Berg

The Spark: Discovering ‘Vibe Coding’

“It’s just that for all ‘silly’ questions I had, I would ask AI to explain and help me out.”

Marta’s entry into the world of AI began unexpectedly. While leading a program at her previous employer, she found herself collaborating closely with IT architects. “Weirdly, I discovered that this was the work I actually wanted to do,” she recalls. “I just didn’t know how to transition from a business background to that role.”

That changed when her mentor, Simona Todoroska, stepped in. “She suggested building my own products,” Marta explains. “I started using Cursor and Claude to teach myself how to code. I made amazing progress in a short time using tools which any engineer would use. It’s just that for all ‘silly’ questions I had, I would ask AI to explain and help me out.”

The results surprised even the people closest to her. “Even my boyfriend, who works in IT for over 20 years now, was surprised that my MVP worked and his didn’t”, she says. “To me it was a clear sign that vibe coding was going to be big in how we build modern products.”

“Coming in with an open mindset and navigating with intention can lead you to places you wouldn’t have imagined.”

The Power of Community

Marta soon brought her growing expertise into the AI4ALL community, speaking at the Educate Masterclass and at the Mentorship Program Launch. For her, that moment was deeply symbolic. “It was an absolute full-circle moment,” she says. “Just a year earlier, I sat in the audience as a mentee myself.”

Her experience reaffirmed a belief she now shares widely: mentorship doesn’t require a perfect roadmap. “It really doesn’t need to be a big transformation or a perfectly planned-out plan,” she adds. “Coming in with an open mindset and navigating with intention can lead you to places you wouldn’t have imagined.”

When she learned she had been nominated for the AI4HER Legacy Award, she was stunned. “It’s been an honor and also a surprise,” Marta admits. “As much as I was flattered, my biggest award is already here, as I regained my confidence to pursue my real potential.”

“The only way to free ourselves from this [imposter] feeling is to lean into it and take action.”

Why Mentorship Works (And Why We Champion It)

Marta’s conviction in the value of mentorship is rooted in her own experience. She entered her mentorship program simply looking for help transitioning roles. “The fact that I came in with an ask to help me transition, whilst getting so much more than just a simple plan, says a lot,” she says. “A boost of confidence from trying new things, learning programming, and exploring AI concepts was the biggest insight, and perhaps the trigger for my career change.”

She believes mentorship is especially critical for women in AI. “Many women are being told today about the imposter syndrome they suffer from,” Marta notes. “The only way to free ourselves from this feeling is to lean into it and take action. Having someone to talk to, who has been there and who can help you connect the dots, is extremely important.”

And with the pace of AI accelerating, she believes hands-on involvement is no longer optional. “Many women are born perfectionists and avoid getting hands-on with AI, just like tech was a ‘black box’ in the past,” she notes. “But it’s an absolute must these days to get involved.”

What’s Next: AI Build Labs

Now, Marta is helping other women take their first steps. On December 9th, she’s hosting a new edition of the AI Build Labs at the Equals office in Amsterdam. This is an event designed for women ready to stop postponing their leap into AI.

“I’m calling women out there who have this ‘I need to start getting more hands-on with this AI thing’ voice in their heads and are probably putting it off to 2026,” she says. “Let’s break this pattern and start now!”

The workshop will offer an intimate, supportive environment. “We will meet as a small group of women, opening our laptops and learning, asking questions, and most of all, building with AI together,” Marta explains. “We do things step-by-step, in a relaxed, safe environment, leaving the workshop with your own live AI product which you can share with your friends or colleagues.”

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