Susan Ingram | Mentorship as a Lifeline: Building Belonging with Big Brothers, Big Sisters Ottawa

Mentorship is not charity.It’s belonging.It’s confidence.And sometimes, it’s the single thing that changes the trajectory of a young person’s life.In this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior, I sit down with Susan Ingram, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa, for a conversation that goes far beyond programs and initiatives. What stayed with me after we first met was not just the work Susan leads, but how she leads it, with clarity, heart, and an unwavering belief in the power of human connection.Susan shares what mentorship truly looks like on the ground. How trusted relationships create pathways where none existed. Why opportunity is not equally distributed, but impact can be, when communities choose to show up together.We talk about leadership rooted in purpose, building confidence in young people who have been told the world is not built for them, and why mentorship is one of the most effective tools we have to change outcomes, not just for individuals, but for entire communities.This episode airs just ahead of Fashion for Futures, Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa’s signature fundraiser on April 17 at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Powered by their social enterprise, Thrive Select Thrift, the event brings together sustainable fashion and community impact, with all proceeds supporting life-changing mentorship matches for youth across Ottawa and Renfrew County.We also celebrate BBBSO’s recent recognition at the Ottawa Business Journal’s BOB Awards, where their thrift shop was named Best Social Enterprise, a reflection of how deeply their work resonates across our city.This conversation is about people.About mentors who change direction.And about what becomes possible when we choose to invest in the next generation.🎧 Listen now.📍 Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa here: https://www.bbbso.ca