I recently gave the keynote for New York Law School’s annual Legal Association of Women’s Symposium. In part, I discussed the importance of finding “investors”, which aligns with the United Nations Women’s theme of “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” for International Women’s Day 2024.

Below is a synopsis from part of the speech. Thank you for New York Law School for having me!

Investors: Mentors

As the founder of a mentoring program, Avocate. I’ve seen first hand the power of mentorship for success. So how do you find your mentors? You can join a more organized program like Avocate, but there are also mentorship programs at your law school, bar association, or at work. There will also be some of the natural mentorship relationships with your supervisor or professor. Most importantly it’s how deep your connections are with your network. The time to cultivate the relationships is an investment well made, which is why the mentor relationships that happen organically because you just “click” with someone have the greatest impact. They’re easiest to maintain and to strengthen.

It’s not always so obvious, but as a mentee you shouldn’t always be on the getting side but on the giving side as well. Relationships are a two-way street. Even relationships between mentor and mentee. I can’t overstate enough the importance of reverse mentorship. You can mentor your mentor.

Investors: Sponsors

Another investor you need to support you is a sponsor. Sponsors are internal colleagues at a higher level who support and promote you. It’s the person in the room that you don’t necessarily have the most frequent interaction with, but whose voice matters the most when promotions are being discussed. A study showed that for promotion prospects, sponsorship matters more than someone’s gender, personality, education, and experience. Sponsors often will come as a surprise, but it is your responsibility to keep your eyes wide open to them and seize that opportunity when that door is open.

Investors: Allies

Finally, we have to talk about the other bucket of investors. The male allies. Not to say that men won’t be mentors and sponsors in your life. But, allies are the men within your organization who believe in giving women equitable opportunity and put action behind their words. It’s easy to vocalize support, but it’s far more difficult to be the person who ensures financial parity and creates seats at the leadership table for women. Men still hold most leadership positions and having the investment in these allies is critical to rounding out your kitchen cabinet of investors in your professional success.

Find Your Investors (Mentors, Sponsors, Allies)