The Mentors Who Made Us

In this episode of The Mentors Who Made Us, host Kate Berezo interviews Michelle Rakshys, Vice President of Learning and Development at Cadence Leadership and Communication. Michelle shares her journey from working in college radio and retail to pursuing her dream career in the music industry and eventually landing at Amazon. With insights into corporate mentorship, she reveals how the right mentors helped her develop skills in #Leadership, #CareerDevelopment, and #GoalSetting, enabling her to climb the ranks in a highly competitive field. Michelle discusses the importance of finding a mentor who understands your goals, how to influence others without direct authority, and why setting SMART goals is essential in any mentorship.Whether you’re starting out, looking to switch industries, or seeking to improve your #Mentorship skills, Michelle’s story provides valuable advice for building a meaningful career. Tune in for actionable tips on career growth, finding and being a great mentor, and how to unlock new professional opportunities.#Mentorship #CareerGrowth #CareerDevelopment #CorporateMentorship #LeadershipSkills #GoalSetting #InfluenceWithoutAuthority #AmazonCareer #MusicIndustryCareer #SMARTGoals #MentorTips #CareerJourney #ExecutiveCoaching

In this episode of the Mentors Who Made Us podcast, host Kate Berezo sits down with Dave Wilkin, founder of Ten Thousand Coffees, to delve into the transformative impact of mentorship and networking on personal and professional growth.Dave shares his journey from growing up in a small town to becoming an entrepreneur who connects people worldwide. He discusses the challenges individuals face when seeking mentorship, such as fear of rejection and lack of confidence, and offers practical advice on how to overcome these barriers. Dave emphasizes the importance of building mentorship into one's routine, treating it as a habit rather than a one-time effort.The conversation also explores how organizations can foster a culture that promotes mentorship and open networking. Dave highlights the need for companies to move beyond traditional training programs and create environments where employees can learn from each other through authentic connections.

In this episode of The Mentors Who Made Us, host Kate Berezo chats with Finn McKenty, a content creator and entrepreneur behind the Punk Rock MBA and URM Academy. Finn shares his unconventional career journey, starting with odd jobs like working at a movie theater and moving into marketing, design, and ultimately launching his YouTube channel.The conversation dives into pivotal moments in Finn’s career, including advice from unlikely sources that shaped his path. They also touch on navigating life as someone who’s neurodivergent, the importance of embracing your strengths, and the reality of making tough choices in business. Check out Finn's work: https://www.finnmckenty.com/

In this episode of The Mentors Who Made Us, host Kate Berezo welcomes Greg Bennick, speaker, performer, and newly minted best-selling author of Reclaim the Moment. Greg shares his journey to becoming a best-selling author, highlighting the pivotal mentors who shaped his path. From his formative years in the hardcore music scene to his work on Seattle’s All Ages Dance Ordinance, Greg reveals how key figures like his theater professor John Wilson and mask maker Larry Hunt pushed him to think differently and take bold steps in his career.Kate and Greg discuss the importance of mentorship in unexpected places and how these influential figures helped Greg navigate his unique journey to success. Greg reflects on the lessons he learned, the relationships that shaped him, and the transformative power of saying yes to the unknown.Tune in to discover the people and moments that helped make Greg Bennick a best-selling author.