Mentors are everywhere and we should all say “thanks”

For many people, the concept of mentorship can seem daunting. There are so many questions. Does it need to be formal or can it be low key? How does someone get started either being a mentor or finding one? Does a mentor have to be someone you already know? Does the person have to be from your professional field? How often should you meet? What should you talk about?

The simple answer, from my POV, is that it’s all flexible and based upon what works for both the mentor and mentee. Because what absolutely does NOT work is forced mentorship or forcing a format that’s only one-sided.

Most of my mentoring has been on the informal side, both as a mentor and mentee. That doesn’t mean deep and meaningful discussions haven’t occurred; it’s just the “how” that’s differed.

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Mentoring started early

My mentorship journey began decades before I knew it had. It actually started in elementary and middle school. Teachers like Mrs. Hamilton and Mrs. Kawabori and coaches like Mr. Stipek were some of my first mentors, instructing me about more than just subjects in school or how to choke up on the bat; they were giving me life lessons along the way. When I joined Scouts, Scoutmaster Dixon and other adult leaders were not only making sure I knew how to tie a clove hitch, but also ensuring that the other Scouts and I were developing important character traits like being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful and thrifty, among others, and that we were always prepared and did our best.

In high school, Coach Jake and Coach Wilson helped me grow as a basketball player and young man, and teachers like Mr. Minugh and Ms. MacGilvra challenged me to become a better writer, speaker and student leader.

My first non-paper route job was at Foot Locker, where I worked all through high school and college. My manager, Bruce Smith, was an excellent boss. Not only did he teach me the skills to excel at my job, but also, he gave me greater and greater responsibility, knowing I could deliver and helping me build confidence along the way.

At the University of Washington, Professor Kathleen Fearn-Banks provided expert guidance navigating both the worlds of coursework and internship applications, which helped set me on the path I continue along today.

Finding career mentors everywhere

The first step on that path led me to the doorstep of Barry Bartlett, who was my boss at my first internship in 1995. Today, 28 years later, he and I are back together working as colleagues and partners on some clients, the old AP Style edits he corrected me on decades ago cemented into my brain. That Coug took a chance on this Husky and while I still razz him about the UW’s 20-7 record over WSU since I’ve known him, he gave me my official start in the world of PR and I can’t thank him enough for that.

Another Coug I can’t thank enough for helping me on my career path is Pamela Long. She and I met the summer of my senior year in college when she had moved to Seattle for a job in the PR and promotions field. That’s when I told her about an opportunity I had, having applied for an entry level position at big agency in town, Elgin Syferd/DDB Needham…to which she turned around and also applied. Typical Coug.  Long story short, she got the job and I got an internship there, which turned into a job two months later. We both stayed at DDB (the evolving name of the agency) for more than a decade. To be clear, I was NOT an intern the entire time. I think it’s fair to say that the experience we both had at DDB was central to our development as marketers and the friends, colleagues and mentors we had there were some of the best in the business.

If I tried naming all the people who mentored me in some capacity during my 16 years at DDB, I couldn’t; I’d inadvertently leave someone out. But here are a few who stand out for their many contributions to who I am today as a person and a marketer…(listed in alphabetical order): Alex Barth, Jon Dietrich, Jan Edmondson, Ron Elgin, Shawn Herron, Scott Janzen, John Livengood, Dave Marriott, Dan McConnell, Janice Merlino, Hillary Miller, Ray Page, Tom Phillips, Ann Marie Ricard, and probably others I’ve inadvertently left out, which is the problem with lists and memories.

Each of these people taught me something (or many things!) about an aspect of marketing I previously didn’t know about. They gave me opportunities to branch out, challenged me with new scenarios and bigger clients. They taught me to look at problems through different lenses. And while many of them did not come from a traditional PR background, they all valued what PR could do and valued what their disciplines could do for PR campaigns. The knowledge and trust built over the years between us has allowed those relationships to continue beyond DDB. Many of us still work together to this day (looking at you, Josh Naugher, and several others previously named).

I also spent five years at Wunderman Thompson, another great agency that taught me a ton and gave me many great mentoring experiences along the way. As a senior leader running one of the largest pieces of business in the agency, I had the opportunity to not only learn from the executive leaders in Seattle, but also Wunderman and WPP network leaders across the country. To be clear, I believe that mentors come from any and every level, not just those higher up on the org chart, but the opportunities afforded to me because of my role did help open some doors to learning and mentoring that I otherwise might not have had.

I want to give a special shout-out to several key people who mentored me in big ways and small at Wunderman (again, listing just a few of many here): Shane Alderton, JB Bataille, Becky Carpenter, Chris Carter, Dave Bergmann, Craig Evans, Jake Ferrigno, Michelle Gallup, Jeff Hawley, Michael Joseph, Caitlin Kogan, Karen Lollini, Billy Milligan, Neal Moore, Brandee Parge, Jen Patterson, Ben Peters, Fiona Remley, Julie Rezek, Marc Sanford and Alicia Sullivan. Each showed me something new; helped me grow as a colleague, boss or direct report; and, in turn, helped me become a better mentor to others.

Mentors also came in the form of clients, but there are too many over 25 years to try to name. Plus, if I did, this article would go on another two pages with all the thanks I’d be doling out. Just know that the impact that clients have is a different form of mentorship; the skills they teach and how they teach them are different than a more formal mentor-mentee relationship, but no less important.

Non-work mentors are equally important to personal and professional development

Non-work mentors also have been a big part of my life. They have come in the form of staff of various organizations I’ve volunteered for and/or colleagues on their Boards. The passion, commitment and energy these folks have for what they do is seemingly limitless and when I work with them, I’m constantly inspired…the impact of a good mentor.

Some of many who come to mind are Teacher Ellen at Island Cooperative Preschool; Trish King, Amanda Ward, Loretta Morgan, Katy Mathias, Rainey Scott and Dennis Sutter at The Island School; and Laurie Ward and Fred Hammerquist at Washington’s National Park Fund.

Then there’s my 31 years as a member of The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. During my time as both an undergraduate and alumnus member of the fraternity, I’ve had my fair share of mentors. My original Chapter Advisor, Al Ross, was a rock solid presence, as were other alumni like Gary Ausman, Irv Matson, Bryan Myers, Tom Rasmussen, Oscar Sandberg, and many others, who showed me as an undergraduate what it means to be a lifelong Brother.

Since that time, I’ve worked alongside countless alumni on our Advisory Board and Housing Corporation Board and have been lucky enough to be a part of our International Officer volunteer corps for the past several years. I’ve learned so much from so many that it’s hard to give credit where credit is due, but some of the men who have helped shape me into the person I am today are Ben Boden, Nathan Box, Les Coughran, Devang Desai, Allen Eskridge, Marc Grunden, Don Isaak, Dennis Isham, Kurt Lange, Eric Kwan, Brian Mann, Brendan McAuliffe, Michael McMillan, George Miller, Nat Mucha, Duncan Robinson, and the countless other Regional Presidents, Chapter Consultants and Fraternity Staff who have served our organization over the decades. They’ve given me the gifts of perspective, direct feedback, and much needed advice, and have helped make me and PIKE stronger as a result.

The same is true of BSA Scout Troop 1565 and Cub Scout Pack 4496, two wonderful groups that I became a part of when my son, Josh, joined when he was younger. While I ended up leading both organizations, I couldn’t have done it alone and became better at my role thanks to the advice and counsel of many, including Bill Davis, Tom Edwards, Kristin Hammer, Lief Horwitz, Nathan Oestreich, Mark Peterson, David Shaw and Mike Yeung, among many others. 

Curating mentors

The last group of mentors I want to talk about are the ones I currently have (and/or had during my previous stint) at Curator. From Chelsey Allodi, Paul Balcerak and Matthew Robinson back in the day to former teammates like Boone Helm to our current team of Jessica Christopher, Xiamara Garza, Elsa Fletcher and Madeline Geller, I couldn’t be more excited to work with such a talented team. Every day these people teach me something new, even with a simple comment, question or unique perspective on a presentation I’m giving to them.

Quietly behind all of it, though, is none other than Curator’s fearless leader, Scott Battishill. While we’ve never had a formal mentor-mentee relationship, it’s been there all along in the background. I worked with him at DDB, then at Curator the first time, and now at Curator again. He’s had conversations with me over the years where he’s told me I’m absolutely killing it and also told me bluntly that I need to do better. That’s what a good mentor does. And it’s one of the reasons I continue to work with and for him. We’ve taught each other many things during our careers and are just getting started.

Quite literally everyone I’ve worked with, for or who has been a client of mine, or whom I’ve had the pleasure of volunteering with or learning from, has taught me something and, in some way, has mentored me. Sometimes they’ve helped reinforce good behaviors. Sometimes they’ve taught me new skills. Sometimes they’ve pushed me to try new things and stretch beyond what I thought was possible. And sometimes they’ve shined a light on my mistakes and made me a better boss or coworker because of it.

For all my mentors out there, I am eternally grateful for your support!

So, in honor of National Mentoring Day, I encourage everyone reading this to reach out and reconnect with a mentor, whether formal or informal, and let them know the impact they’ve had on your life. Look for opportunities to mentor others, formally or not, and pass along the gifts you’ve been given. You’ll be glad you did.