Blog & News

Mentor Spotlight: Kim Swanson, 10 Years of Mentoring in the CORE Program!

by W2WM Senior Program Assistant Andrea Baker

Though Kim has never had a formal mentor, she says that a lot of people have helped guide and support her on her journey. “Teachers, coworkers, friends, and family have all played an important part in the person I am today and will be tomorrow. My day job is as a Communications Manager for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). My side-hustle, and passion, is being a Personal Development Coach – a.k.a Life Coach.” And Kim is an awesome coach!

For our goals workshop in the CORE Program, Kim is our expert workshop facilitator in addition to being a mentor. When the workshop ends, mentees can schedule a one-on-one session with Kim and their mentors. During this session, Kim, the mentee, and the mentor can focus on the mentee’s needs and begin the process of setting actionable, measurable goals with accountibility and the mentee in the driver’s seat.

When I asked Kim why she’s stuck around for so long she said, “I’ve continued to mentor because I can see how this program, and my work with it, helps young women thrive and grow into authentic versions of themselves. What I personally take away from the CORE Program are the relationships I’ve built and maintained over the years, not only with my mentees, but with everyone else in the cohort. Being a part of W2WM has expanded my worldview, helped me connect to the community, and allowed me to live my mission – to have a positive impact on the world and those around me.”

Kim’s advice to mentees is this:

“You are not alone on your journey. Don’t be afraid to change your mind. Sometimes we stay on one path for so long (heading in one direction), it can feel like we can never leave it. But that is not the case. As you grow and change, your goals and dreams change with you, so acknowledge if you are on the wrong path, allow yourself the time need to find and start down a new (more fitting) path.”

 

Congrats to Kim on 10 years of mentorship in the CORE Program! Thank you for guiding and supporting the women in our community!

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