Sarah Thompson didn't plan to become a mentor. As a senior technology executive at a Fortune 500 company, her calendar was already full. But when a colleague introduced her to AODI, something clicked.
"I remember what it was like to navigate my career without guidance," Sarah reflects. "I had talent, but I didn't have the network or the knowledge of how systems worked. Someone eventually took a chance on me, and that changed everything."
For the past two years, Sarah has mentored AODI participants, dedicating 4 hours monthly to structured sessions. Her mentees have gone on to secure positions at major tech companies and pursue graduate studies at top universities.
"The investment is minimal compared to the impact," she says. "These young people have the drive and the talent. They just need someone to open doors and show them what's possible. That's what mentorship is—it's possibility made visible."
Sarah encourages other professionals to consider mentoring: "You don't need to have all the answers. You just need to care and show up consistently. AODI provides the structure. You provide the experience."