Submitted by: Kilynn Davis, Field Ops Training Manager
Your journey in the Team Up Mentoring Program can only be fruitful if given the right guidance, time, energy, and passion it deserves. When you choose to begin your journey with a company and they offer amazing programs that help you grow and develop, as well as help others, you’ve found yourself the GOAT! I am, of course, talking about the TMX Finance® Family of Companies. I began my career here over eight years ago. I have worked hard to build the best version of myself that I can with the Company. With the support of many great leaders, I …
Submitted by: Sharon Pope, Licensing Manager
Being a mentor gives me permission to examine my values and see how they align with those around me. When I first joined our Team Up Mentoring Program, I was excited to dive in and mentor one of my coworkers! My first mentee was a lovely person who was willing to talk big picture, but not quite interested in exploring things that are only revealed in the quiet, small places. We developed an understanding, but there were no “AH HA” moments. Similarly, my second mentee was a bit shy of professional relationships. So, it was very difficult for us to …
Submitted by: Shannon Beasley, Sr. Director of Corporate Talent Management
Celebrating National Mentoring Month is special to me for a couple of reasons: First, as Senior Director of Corporate Talent Management, the TMX Finance® Family of Companies’ mentoring program – Team Up – is an area I now oversee. It is exciting to be a part of such a rewarding program and understand the importance of the relationships that are fostered as a result! I have participated as a mentee several times and have had some awesome mentors that have coached me through some difficult decisions and offered some really sage advice that has stuck with me far beyond my …
Submitted by: Ervin Nixon, District Director of Operations
As a country, people of color have just one month of recognition that was not offered to them, but taken as an opportunity. An opportunity to reflect on the struggles, the trials, and the tribulations beset on a group of people who were forced to this place by oppressing colonizers looking to build a land based on morals and values. Those oppressors would somehow call it “the land of the free.” My ancestors would agree, as I hope my son never has to. But if this is free, then I wish to change the definition. Just over 500 years later, …
Leaders Making History: Shawn Jordan, Regional Vice President of Operations “You don’t decide to be a leader; your team decides who they’re going to follow.” Shawn Jordan started with the Company in 2001, “back when we walked around with candles and wrote on tablets; not the kind we have today,” he joked, giving insight to how far along the Company had come since its humble beginnings. Through growth and determination, Mr. Jordan proved himself by successfully running a location and growing into the one of the first African American multi-unit leaders within the Company. “I got a phone call from …
Leaders Making History: Tiffany Leonard, District Director of Operations Tiffany Leonard started her career with the Company in 2003 and has paved the way for emerging leaders by becoming a mentor and sharing her story of success. “I started as a Manager- in-Training in Alabama. What was most impactful for my career was understanding how to grow a well-balanced business from the leaders before me.” Leonard seeks inspiration from her ancestors, her compassionate and hard-working parents, and the mentors who have guided her in her career. Through it all, the biggest leadership lesson she teaches is one of service. “As …
Submitted by: Kevin Godwin, District Director of Operations As a seasoned operator and proven leader with our company for going on 15 years there is one evident truth in the dynamics of our business as well as the role of leadership…IRON SHARPENS IRON! I was reminded of this during my current mentorship, when paired with one of the most energized and passionate mentees I have had in some time, GM Shaunna Harris! Our partnership convicted me on a personal level, and reminded me why the TeamUp Program is vital to not only developing our future leaders but is a place …
Submitted by: Jerald Horner, Chief Information Officer This year is my first experience with the TEAM Up Mentor Program. At first I was reluctant to sign up as a mentor because it felt a bit egotistical that I could have something to offer. If anything, I should be a mentee! As it turns out, as a mentor you become a mentee as well. The interactions are to help the mentee, but the mentor learns a lot about themselves and others through those conversations. The program also doesn’t have to be an exclusive one-on-one experience. I shaped it into a broader …
Submitted by: Victoria Newman, General Counsel Through the mentoring program, you get the opportunity to share your experiences. I’ve found that people assume others always “have it together” when that is often far from the truth. We all battle our own internal demons and self-doubt, and it’s nice to break down those presumptions of perfection. You also you have the opportunity to expand your knowledge of other departments’ struggles, workload, processes, pressures, structure, and other nuances. This knowledge allows you to work more effectively with those departments and makes you a better business partner. I have personally benefited from my mentor’s …
Submitted by: Shannon Beasley, Director of Corporate Recruiting To me, the word “mentor” means growth; both personally and professionally! I have had the opportunity to participate in our Company mentor program as a mentor and now as a mentee. As a mentor, I enjoyed being a part of someone’s career development and helping them to grow through gaining more knowledge in a particular area of the Company. And now, my mentor is doing the same for me. As part of our Talent Acquisition team, my focus has been solely on identifying top talent to join our Company and through the mentorship program, …
