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Mentor Testimonials

Our team of dedicated mentors embodies a deep respect for entrepreneurship, and many of us are successful entrepreneurs.  All of us are productive in our fields and eager to share helpful knowledge and experience with others, fostering a stronger economy and contributing to better quality of life for all.

Stacie Sussman

VMT Mentor

CRO with a strategic focus on Sales, Revenue Operations, & GTM Strategy

Siri Terjesen

VMT Mentor

Professor and Associate Dean, Research and External Relations

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Play Video about Bernardo Wolfson

Bernardo Wolfson

VMT Membership Committee

Founder & CEO Realize, LLC / Executive Coaching & Consulting

Alice Morrison

VMT Membership Committee

Chief Executive, Paladin Energy and Technology, LLC

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Play Video about Harmut Junghahn

Hartmut Junghahn

VMT Membership Committee

Founder, HJ Boutique Consulting LLC

Scott Rivello

VMT Mentor

Senior Global Client Service Partner, Ernst & Young

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Play Video about Robert Rubin

Robert Rubin

VMT Membership Committee

CEO, Skypatrol

Andrew Parry

VMT Mentor

VP IT, App Development and Support

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Play Video about Steve Fales

Steve Fales

VMT Mentor

President, Praeter Advisory

Andy Kaplan

VMT Membership Committee

Chief Financial Officer, DonorsChoose.org

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Stacie Sussman

VMT Mentor

Mentorship, at its core, is a relationship of guidance, wisdom, and nurturing between experienced individuals and those with less experience.The significance of this process cannot be overstated.

I’ve been mentoring with the VMT for a year and I’ve observed and experienced first-hand the profound impact of this relationship.

Access is Everything: Mentorship provides an avenue to insights, networks, and experiences that many people would otherwise lack. The world of entrepreneurship and business is vast, and without the right guidance, it’s easy for talented individuals to lose their way.

Willingness to Listen: The Founder’s constant receptiveness to advice is a testament to her commitment to her vision. This willingness to consider different perspectives and adjust accordingly is a hallmark of great leaders.

Being Coachable: While knowledge is abundant, applying it requires a certain level of humility and adaptability. Even when the path ahead seems uncertain, being coachable means trusting the process and the wisdom of those who’ve walked the path before.

Decision Making: Mentorship doesn’t mean abdicating responsibility. The Founder’s realization that she remains the ultimate decision-maker, even amidst a sea of expert advice, is crucial. It ensures that the company retains its unique vision and direction, informed but not entirely shaped by external opinions.

Altruism in Mentorship: One of the most heartwarming aspects of this journey has been witnessing the selfless dedication of the VMT. Their genuine desire to uplift, guide, and share is a beautiful reminder that in the world of business, humanity and kindness have an essential place.

My journey with VMT has reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of guidance, collaboration, and shared wisdom.

Florida Atlantic University

The path taken by entrepreneurs is never a straight line and is full of twists and turns that often require expertise and guidance from professionals outside of the organization. We at 2nd Vault could not be more grateful and appreciative of the time and knowledge provided to us by the Venture Mentoring Team. Every minute spent with our mentoring team is time well spent and invested. The VMT mentoring team is a perfectly crafted group of professionals that all have meaningful direction and insights to provide. The VMT mentors keep us focused on what is in front of us systematically, helping to lead our company to scale. We feel so fortunate to have been selected as mentees of the VMT and hope to pay it forward in the future.  Thank you for all you do and the impact you have on start-up founders, as there is no price one could ever assign to the value we have received.

Kevin C. Cox, phD, MSE

Senior Instructor and Assistant Director

Elevate Together

Office Depot initiated the Elevate Together program in 2021 partnering with The Venture Mentoring Team, the National Urban League and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to deliver impactful, measurable and scalable support services that foster business creation and growth opportunities for Black and Hispanic businesses.

It has been an honor to partner with the Venture Mentoring Team during Elevate Together’s launch and early stages. Their mentoring methodology and training set a high bar, and their mentors have been invaluable to our Elevate Together grant recipients.

We look forward to the VMT’s continued work with Urban League affiliates, Hispanic Chambers and other community partners to provide mentoring services to minority-owned small businesses as they grow and expand their mentoring services.

Sharu Goodwyn

National Manager, Community Investment, Elevate Together

Alex Price

National Director, Community Investment / Co-Leader, Diversity Council