Looking back on your experience as a Mentor Fellow, what was the most meaningful part of supporting and guiding other Fellows throughout their conference journey?
I found it really meaningful to see the Fellows develop relationships with the families, other Fellows, and professionals in the field. It is really incredible to see them slowly become more comfortable at Conference and really fall in love with the community. It was also really exciting to see the Fellows leave Conference with a sense of excitment related to future research and practice within the field.
How did serving as a Mentor Fellow contribute to your own growth as a leader, professional, and member of the CHARGE community?
Serving as a Mentor Fellow, helped me learn how to lead young professionals through the conference process. This has been incredibly helpful in my career as an Assistant Professor, where I teach students about networking with others and being present at conferences. Being a Mentor Fellow also helped me to feel empowered to apply to join the Board of Directors, as I felt it was a leadership role I could take on after being a Mentor Fellow.
What would you say to a former Fellow who is considering becoming a Mentor Fellow but is not yet sure whether to apply?
I would say that those considering to be a mentor fellow should definitely apply. Being a Mentor Fellow can help past Fellows take that next step of leadership within the Foundation. It will also allow them to develop more connections within the Foundation and help foster the next generation of professionals.
