About a year ago, I made one of the toughest decisions of my career: stepping back as CEO of Mentor Collective and appointing Erin Mayhood as the company’s new leader. I couldn’t be happier with my decision.
If you’ve had the chance to work with Erin, you already know: she’s a force. Her leadership is a rare combination of heart, integrity, performance, and vision. Under her stewardship, Mentor Collective is delivering exceptional impact, and I couldn’t be prouder of where the company is headed.
For founders, stepping back from a company you’ve built can feel like losing a piece of yourself. Like many, my identity was deeply tied to my role as CEO. In my 20s and early 30s, I made peace with that tradeoff—prioritizing the company above everything else, including family, health, and relationships. It was both a joy and unsustainable – by late 2023 I knew it was time to recalibrate.
I was warned about the challenges of stepping back: the anxiety, the loss of control, the “what ifs.” But thanks to Erin, the transition felt seamless. I didn’t have to worry about Mentor Collective’s future—it was in arguably better hands. Erin and her team are perfectly positioned to guide it through the uncertainty facing higher education.
Stepping back also gave me something I hadn’t had in years: time. Time to reflect on what matters most. For the first time in my adult life, I had an abundance of it—and I’m incredibly grateful for that gift. It allowed me to re-center and prepare for my next entrepreneurial chapter.
Now, as Chairman, I get to witness something magical: the vision I started 11 years ago evolving and expanding under new leadership. It’s a privilege to watch, and I owe a huge thank you to Erin and the Mentor Collective team for making it possible.
Oh, and speaking of magic…Mentor Collective is hiring! If you want to join an incredible, mission-driven team, check out our openings on the sales team: https://lnkd.in/djMTRkKk
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