Mentorship: My Ongoing Legacy of Learning and Growth

Mentorship is one of the most powerful tools for personal and professional growth. Whether you're a mentor or a protégé, the experience delivers a ripple effect shaping careers, fostering innovation, and building meaningful relationships. Reflecting on my own journey and positive outlook despite life’s bumps, I owe much of my marketing leadership and professional foundation to my first mentor, Dr. Rob Brown .

Dr. Brown was my toughest professor during graduate school at Emerson College . He was rigorous, demanding, and unwavering in his expectations. But beyond his tenacity and challenging curriculum, he generously opened the door to my first professional opportunity. Through his direct business introduction, I landed my first #internship at a marketing agency Clarke & Company —an experience that set the course for my career. Dr. Brown taught me that excellence isn’t just about personal success; it’s about reaching back to lift others. That lesson has stayed with me for nearly 40 years.

Throughout my career, I have made it a priority to pay it forward. At every company I’ve worked with, whether a large corporation like Cisco , Broadcom , Fortinet , SAP or startups including MobileIron , I’ve actively hired interns and mentored staff. I believe mentorship is a two-way learning street. While mentors provide guidance, wisdom, and opportunities, protégés offer fresh perspectives, new ideas, and a chance to see the world through a different lens. The exchange is mutually enriching.

In the past 15 years, I’ve doubled down and formalized my commitment to mentorship through professional platforms like Everwise now known as Torch Coaching . These programs have connected me with more than 30 protégés. Each relationship has been unique, teaching me as much as I’ve imparted. Mentorship isn’t just about career development; it’s about building trust, fostering resilience, and inspiring confidence—qualities that transcend the workplace.

As I reflect on Dr. Brown’s impact and the legacy of mentorship I strive to continue, I am reminded of the timeless value of investing in others including non-profits like the YMCA of Silicon Valley and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley . For anyone seeking growth, mentorship offers a path paved with shared wisdom, mutual respect, and boundless potential. To those considering becoming a mentor or seeking one: take the leap. You might just change a life—including your own.