By Lisa Saul, MD, TRUST President
Women leaders, equipped with unique experiences and insights, have a special role in paving the way for future generations of women. Mentorship is among the most impactful methods through which leaders can contribute.
Mentorship is not merely an exchange of advice—it is the cultivation of potential. It’s about building confidence, expanding visions and ultimately shaping the future of leadership to be more inclusive and effective. For women who often face unique barriers in professional settings, having a mentor who understands these challenges and navigates them successfully can be transformational.
Our 2025 TRUST Mentorship Program will start taking applications for mentees and mentors on August 19. If you’re interested, please attend our informational session on August 26 and read more about mentorship benefits below.
Cultivating Confidence
The first step in effective mentorship is instilling confidence. By sharing their journeys, both the triumphs and trials, women leaders help demystify the path to leadership. This transparency prepares the mentee for the challenges ahead and solidifies her belief in her ability to overcome them. Witnessing someone who looks like you succeed can transform the often-intimidating journey into a relatable and achievable narrative.
Expanding Visions
Mentorship also plays a crucial role in broadening perspectives. Women leaders can help their mentees see beyond traditional roles and explore possibilities they might not have considered. Mentors can ignite the spark that fuels innovation and leadership by challenging mentees to think bigger and bolder.
Creating Networks of Opportunity
Beyond one-on-one interactions, women leaders can foster networks that provide multiple voices of support. These networks become invaluable resources, offering diverse viewpoints and experiences that enrich the mentee’s understanding and strategies for dealing with professional scenarios.
A Legacy of Leadership
Each woman leader who takes on the role of a mentor is contributing to a lineage of leadership that will shape industries and communities. This legacy builds a foundation for a more equitable and prosperous future where leadership reflects society’s true diversity of thought and experience.
As we continue to advocate for more women in leadership roles, let us remember the profound impact of mentorship. It’s about more than reaching the top; it’s ensuring we are not alone when we get there and that many more will follow. By shaping visions and amplifying voices, women are not only succeeding in their roles but are ensuring the leadership path is accessible and illuminated for every woman following in their footsteps.
Lisa Saul, MD, serves as the 2024 TRUST President and is a wife, mother, physician and women’s health expert. Lisa is passionate about women in leadership and health equity. She is also dedicated to improving health outcomes for birthing people, with a particular focus on women of color. She was honored as a Mpls.St. Paul Magazine Top Doctor in 2022 and Minnesota Monthly Top Doctor in 2020.