Face Front! Friday! The Mentor Is Meant to Be

It may be quiet at first.

A conversation. A question.

A moment of eye contact that says, I see you.

But then something shifts.

One person offers belief, and the other begins to stand a little taller.

One person shares wisdom, and the other suddenly sees a path they hadn’t noticed before.

Two people realize they’re walking the same stretch of road—and it changes them both.

I got to witness that magic up close this weekend.

My friend Tetyana, Program Manager at America Needs You, invited me to give the keynote at their Mentor–Fellow Match Ceremony.

It’s one thing to talk about mentoring in theory; it’s another to watch well over 100 mentors and fellows step toward one another with hope, enthusiasm, and curiosity.

And there I was, sharing You Own Your Origin Story (YOYOS) with young leaders who are just beginning to understand the power of their own narratives… and with mentors ready to walk beside them as those stories unfold.

I was especially inspired by Shay, whose story reminded everyone in the room what courage looks like as she embarks on her path as a mentor and coach.

What struck me most wasn’t the size of the audience.

It was the sense of community.

The passion.

The feeling that everyone in that room wanted the person next to them to win.

Not a transaction.

Not a checklist.

Relationships built on belief, generosity, and a shared desire to grow.

This stage of my career is dedicated to giving back and to exploring the beautiful overlap between marketing and mentoring.

It’s value, shared.

It’s storytelling.

And along the way, we all end up seeing our paths a little more clearly.

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If you want help turning your moments into a clear, compelling story you can use in interviews, bios, or pitches, reach out and I’ll help you shape it.

That’s what You Own Your Origin Story is about: seeing the power in your narrative and learning how to use it with confidence.

I’ve got another one for you. See you here on Tuesday.

You own your origin story. When you’re ready to claim it, I’m here to help.