ACP Mentorship Success Story; Mentorship as a Bridge to New Career Possibilities

Written by Hailey Brindamour, ACP Sr. Operations Associate

If you’ve spent time in the military, you are probably familiar with the paradigm of the “servant leader.” This person embodies the values of their institution, lives up to the standard they hold for others, and leads from a place of equity and mutual respect. 

 This month, we honor a mentorship between two people who exemplify servant leadership: U.S. Navy Lieutenant LaSheda Brooks, lawyer and former Judge Advocate General; and Mitch Chupack, Associate General Counsel with Corebridge Financial and a six-time ACP Mentor.

 Chupack, a practicing lawyer for over 30 years, grew up observing the struggles his family members faced as they transitioned from military to civilian life. “As a young man, I witnessed the difficulties they both experienced first-hand and it left a lasting impression,” he remembers. Thankful for the sacrifices that enabled his own success, Chupack has been helping transitioning service members as an ACP Mentor since 2017.

 Chupack was honored to pair up with Brooks, who came to ACP in 2023 with a remarkable story of her own. Brooks enlisted in the Air Force Reserves in 2010 to support herself and her young child. That was the start of a memorable career that included completing a deployment, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a juris doctor from DePaul University. 

 Brooks, who was initially inspired to enter law so she could help an incarcerated family member, has always focused on clients as individuals with unique stories and needs. She interned with the Decarceration Project in Chicago, where she is still an advisor, and also volunteers with an organization that supports single mothers struggling with substance misuse. That hunger for justice remained Brooks’ lodestar when she earned her Navy commission in 2018 and took up the mantle of the JAG office. 

 As she was preparing to separate from the Navy in 2023, Brooks began her ACP mentorship eager to start her own law firm and continue to help underserved populations. Chupack appreciated her drive immediately, noting, “LaSheda is full of entrepreneurial energy and great to work with in this space.” 

 “Civilians’ life experiences offer insights on career development, opportunities and solutions that [service members] do not have,” says Brooks of the value of civilian mentorship. An essential advisor on Brooks’ legal ambitions, Chupack was also able to help Brooks dive deeper into real estate development and investing.

 Brooks opened her law office, Intentional Legacy, in early 2024, with a focus on serving Black and Veteran clients in Chicago. She also continues to grow her real estate career and gives a big hat-tip to Chupack for his continuous support in both realms. 

 “Mitch has shown a Commander mentorship style,” Brooks enthuses. “He is an inspirational leader. He ensures that he guides me and meets me where I’m at then assists me with my needs to achieve the mission.”

 “It has been wonderful to watch LaSheda’s career take off,” says Chupack. In his view, Brooks exemplifies Veterans’ “fortitude and discipline… to be successful in any new career; the tough outer skin to accept challenges, shrug off difficulties and push forward; and the understanding that lessons learned from negative outcomes will translate into positive outcomes.”