A Story About Connection, Purpose, and the Power of Mentorship

A few months ago, during the AOTA Conference in Philadelphia, I found myself sitting around a small table with four remarkable women — Karen Jacobs, Nancy Doyle, Amy Lamb, and Liat Gafni-Lachter. The convention hall outside buzzed with energy, but inside our little circle, time seemed to slow. We had gathered simply to catch up. However, as often happens with this group, the conversation quickly deepened. We began talking about mentoring — why we do it, what shapes us, and what we hope to offer the people who invite us into their professional journeys.

What followed was one of those rare, grounding conversations that reminds you why community matters. Today, I’m sharing a glimpse of that moment with you.

✨ Karen Jacobs: “Mentoring is the support I once needed.”

Karen leaned forward first, her voice warm with the clarity of someone who has walked many paths.

“I started my career without a mentor,” she told us. “No guide. No roadmap. Just me trying to figure out how to make big decisions and build a career I cared about.” She paused, thoughtful. “That experience never left me. It became the reason I mentor now. Every mentee is an opportunity to give someone the support I didn’t have — to shorten learning curves, prevent unnecessary detours, and make sure no one feels alone in those early, defining years.”

Listening to her, it was easy to see how someone who once lacked guidance became the mentor she longed for — and how she earned the AOTA Outstanding Mentor Award.

✨ Nancy Doyle: “I see potential — and I help you see it too.”

When Nancy spoke, she smiled in that way mentors do — the kind of smile that makes people believe in themselves a little more.

“I mentor because I know the feeling of wanting more but not knowing the path,” she said. “My early mentors helped me see possibilities I couldn’t see alone.” She described how she now supports others the same way: helping them design innovative programs, write their first paper, lead with confidence, or step into roles they once thought were out of reach.

“I see potential,” she added. “And I celebrate every bit of progress. Big leaps, small steps — it all matters. Transformation happens one courageous moment at a time.”

✨ Amy Lamb: “Four women changed everything for me.”

Amy’s voice softened as she reflected on the mentors who shaped her life. “Four women poured into me when I was starting out. They opened doors, offered wisdom, and showed me I could build a meaningful career without sacrificing the moments that mattered at home.”

With over 25 years navigating healthcare, education, policy, lobbying, and leadership — “from inside the trenches,” as she says — Amy brings hard-earned expertise to her mentoring relationships.

“Mentoring is my way of paying it forward,” she said. “I offer the insights I’ve gained, the lessons I’ve learned, and the honest guidance I wish I had known earlier. Your journey is yours — but you don’t need to walk it alone.”

Around the table, we all nodded. That feeling — that mentoring is a gift that grows as it is given — echoed through all of us.

✨ Liat Gafni-Lachter: “Mentoring begins with a relationship.”

When it was Liat’s turn, she reflected on mentoring as a shared, intentional journey.

“For me, it starts with a relationship — a partnership built on trust, respect, and a sense of shared purpose,” she said. “Mentoring is a goal-oriented process fueled by reflection and visioning. And we celebrate the wins along the way — all of them.”

She acknowledged learning from extraordinary mentors and also from relationships that taught her what to do differently. “But my greatest teachers,” she said with a smile, “have been my mentees. It’s an honor to walk beside someone as they shape their path and step into their potential.”

🌱 What I Learned That Day

As we wrapped up and the energy of the conference pulled us back in, I was struck by something powerful: these four women—each with different stories and expertise—all share the same core belief.

Mentoring isn't about having all the answers or telling someone what to do. It's about walking beside them, asking the right questions, and helping them discover what they're truly capable of becoming.

That shared philosophy is the heart of GrowthNest. It’s why this team came together: to create a space where professionals can find a mentor who offers not only expertise but partnership, reflection, and genuine support.

For anyone seeking clarity, growth, or a trusted thinking partner, GrowthNest opens the door. Your journey matters — and the right mentor can make all the difference.

🌱If You're Ready to Find Your Partner in Growth, We'd Be Honored to Walk Beside You.

If you're ready to grow with clarity, joy, and purpose, we invite you to take the next step. To help you begin, we offer a free 15-minute consultation — a simple, supportive conversation to understand where you are, what you need, and which mentor can help you move forward.