If I look back at the arc of my career, the turning points were almost always sparked, supported or challenged by someone who chose to mentor me. Not with grand gestures — just quiet clarity. A conversation that reframed a problem, a question I hadn’t thought to ask, a reminder that my work mattered.

The mentors who shaped me didn’t just teach me how to design products — they taught me how to design a life. How to navigate uncertainty with some grace, how to advocate for myself, how to lead with heart, and how to stay creative even under pressure. Their influence shows up not only in my work as a design leader, but in my art practice as well — the confidence to explore, to take risks, to create without permission.

Every designer needs someone in their corner. I mentor because I’ve been on the other side of uncertainty, and I know how much a single honest conversation can change your direction. This is how I give that moment back.