Changing paths without changing companies

At Mercell, we talk a lot about growth, not only in terms of career ladders or promotions, but in the many different ways people can evolve, learn, and try new things. 

Sometimes that means diving deeper into a field you already know. Other times, it’s about switching gears entirely and exploring new interests, evolving your skills, and discovering the work you’re passionate about. 

And sometimes these opportunities present themselves closer than you think.

That’s exactly what happened for Mai Lyngby. She started out in the data processing team as a Data Entry & Information Processor, where the work was focused, structured, and detail-oriented. 

Today, she’s part of the marketing department as a Marketing Campaign Manager, working on projects that are creative, collaborative and constantly changing. 

Her story is about following her curiosity, taking a leap, and discovering that sometimes the next step and challenge is in the same place. 

From spreadsheets to storytelling

When Mai first joined Mercell, her role was all about handling and organising large volumes of procurement data. It was the kind of work that required focus and precision. 

“I learned a lot in that role,” she says. “I became more organised than I thought I could be, and I got a deep understanding of our industry and how public procurement works. That knowledge still helps me every single day.”

But over time, Mai noticed something else too. While she enjoyed the satisfaction of handling complex data tasks, she missed the more creative work she’d done in the past, things like communication, storytelling, and visual projects.

“I’d worked in marketing and in the film industry previously, so that side of me was always there in the background,” she explains. “I just wasn’t sure how to bring marketing back into what I was doing at Mercell.”

 

A small moment that lead to a bigger shift

One day, Mai was asked to help out with a brand video the marketing team was producing.

“It was just supposed to be a fun little side thing,” she laughs. “But I loved it. It reminded me how much I enjoy the creative process, and it got me thinking about doing marketing again.”

So when Mai noticed a new events team forming within the marketing department, she didn’t wait around. She knocked on Charlotte’s, our VP of Group Marketing, door and asked if there might be an opportunity, and there was.

From HR to team leads, colleagues rallied behind her transition, offering guidance and encouragement. It’s part of a culture that believes in helping people grow into new roles. 

“It wasn’t an easy decision for me,” she says. “There were conversations about what the transition would look like, how my skills could transfer, and what support I might need. But everyone was really open and encouraging. That made a huge difference.”

Stepping into something new and lessons along the way

Today, Mai’s work looks very different, but it’s just as customer-focused as ever. One of the biggest surprises, she says, is how collaborative the marketing world is.

“In data, we mostly worked within our team. It was focused and efficient,” she explains. “But in marketing, you work with almost every department like product, tech, sales, value delivery, customer success, and more. It’s incredibly cross-functional.”

Some things, however, stayed the same. “The focus on the customer is still at the heart of everything,” she says. “Whether it’s processing data or writing campaign content, the goal is to make things clearer, easier, and more valuable for our customer.”

The shift also changed how she sees marketing itself. Many people assume it’s just about fun, creativity or writing emails, but the reality, she says, is far deeper.

“Marketing is very strategic. Every campaign, every piece of content is built on planning, research, and precise execution. It’s creative, yes, but it’s also analytical. There’s a lot of data involved, and luckily, that’s where my previous experience helps a lot!”

 

Advice for anyone considering a change

Looking back, Mai’s proud of the journey she’s taken, and if there’s one thing Mai wants others to take from her story, it’s the importance of being proactive.