BOARD PERSPECTIVE
BY JENNY JORGENSEN , AAMD SUPPLIER DIRECTOR
The Importance of Mentorships
The right mentor at the right moment can change the trajectory of a life ! When an individual has the desire and the will to get to the next level , it ’ s a mentor that can step in to light the path and show them the way .
Do you remember the first time that someone closed a door in your face ? I do . It was my first meeting with my high school guidance counselor . I walked into that meeting excited to start planning my future and realizing my dreams . The first question she asked me was , “ What would you like to do after high school ?” Without hesitation , I eagerly responded , “ I ’ m going to go to Brown University !!” and that ’ s when it happened . She let out the biggest sigh I ’ ve ever heard as she slowly shook her head , gave me a look of pity over the bridge of her glasses , and replied , “ Oh honey , oh sweetie …. No .” She opened my file and continued , “ Your family has moved 6 times in the past four years and you were homeless twice . Jenny , you don ’ t have the support or resources to go to ANY fouryear university , let alone Brown .”
I left her office disheartened and dejected . I had always been told that if you ’ re determined and you work hard , you can do anything that you want to do . That day I learned that ’ s not necessarily true for everyone , but thankfully my story doesn ’ t end there .
Two weeks later I was called back down to my guidance counselors office . But on this day , there was someone else sitting behind the desk . He introduced himself as Christopher Pacheco ,
he was from the University of Colorado and he wanted to know if I had any interest in attending college . I replied with my head down , “ I would love to , but I don ’ t have the support or resources to go to college .” Without missing a beat Chris answered , “ You do now !!” and that was the day I met my first mentor .
I spent the next four years under Chris ’ mentorship . I worked harder than any of my classmates , sacrificed summers and weekends to attend school and skill set workshops , and I earned the tools to be successful in a four-year university . By the time I reached my senior year of high school , I was a National Hispanic Scholar and was offered significant scholarships to every college that I applied for , including Brown University . I chose the University of Colorado because of my mentor , Christopher Pacheco .
25 years ago , when I began my career in the apartment industry , I was reading the latest issue of Trends magazine when one of my coworkers pointed out the woman on the cover of the magazine . She told me that her name was Mary Wessler , and she was the toughest woman in the industry . The very next day I met Mary at a networking event . I introduced myself to her right away and I told her , “ You ’ re going to be my mentor .” I knew the importance of having someone strong and knowledgeable to show me the way and I wanted the lady from the cover of the magazine to be the one .
That was a lucky day for me , because that was the most important introduction of my career . Mary turned out to be the best mentor I could ever imagine . She gave me in depth knowledge of the industry and the understanding of what is important to my clients . She gave me tough love when I needed it and a shoulder to cry on when I needed that as well . Pep talks , problem solving , brainstorming , and long talks were the gifts that she bestowed and I am a better person , a better leader , and a better vendor because of the impact that my mentor had in my life .
Underrepresented employees can face challenges in the workplace in regards to inclusion and career progression . Mentoring can provide opportunities for skill development , networking , and increased confidence that can minimize some of these challenges as employees progress into leadership roles or earn new responsibilities within an organization .
Unlike some other tactics that companies have used to improve diversity , mentoring is proven to make a big difference ! One 2016 study in the American Sociological Review found that mentoring , when compared to other corporate diversity training increased minority representation among managers anywhere from 9 to 24 percent .
As today ’ s leaders , it is our turn to be the resource for the future leaders of our industry . It ’ s our turn to light the way for someone else by sharing our knowledge and skills and being that unforgettable person that opens up a closed door or simply gives one the courage and confidence to stand up and change their future .
Jenny Jorgensen is the Vice President of Multifamily Services at Standard Interiors .
6 | TRENDS JANUARY 2023 www . aamdhq . org