For March 2022, Chris Holman once again catches up with Carrie Rosingana, Chief Executive Officer, CAMW! Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing, MI, serving Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties.
Watch Carrie and Chris discuss Capital Area Michigan Works! along with mentorship and women in leadership in this YouTube video below:
This month their discussion concentrates on Mentorship and Women in Leadership
QUESTION: What is mentorship and why is it important?
ANSWER: To start off, it’s important to recognize, there are three main types of mentorship:
1. Buddy/peer mentoring
2. Career mentorship
3. Life mentorship
There is one similar factor between all types of mentorship in that it provides people with opportunity and a support system that is necessary for growth. Mentors play an essential role preparing current and potential workers for their jobs and careers, often years before they join the workforce. Having a mentor is such a valuable resource for.
On the other side of mentoring is the mentor themself. Almost anyone can be a mentor — and mentoring benefits the mentor almost as much as their mentee. Being a mentor is rewarding and keeps individuals engaged in the field or work they do.
QUESTION: How have you seen mentorship impact your own life?
ANSWER: I myself have been both the mentee and mentor throughout my career. And I can say with certainty, I wouldn’t be where I am today without both of those types of experiences. To this day, I rely on input from my mentors and also find so much inspiration from my mentees. These relationships have helped further integrate me into the workforce field and continue to motivate me to keep advocating for change.
I’ve found my mentorship relationships with other women have been particularly impactful. One of my closest friends and peers, Kate Snyder once said, “Women have power. And one of the greatest powers we have is to come together to shape history and to shape our own corners of the world.”
When women come together, we have the potential to change perceptions and gain confidence in ourselves. At Capital Area Michigan Works!, I am surrounded by — and was preceded by — women in leadership. And I believe together, our voices and influence make CAMW! unique and stronger. As more women seek out educational and career opportunities, we’ll see them taking on influential leadership roles. To ensure their individual and an organization’s collective success, community and mentorship is essential.
QUESTION: How do you recommend people seek out mentorship relationships?
ANSWER: A great way to start is by reaching out to people you already have connections with. I am fortunate to have the support and friendship of a strong group of fellow regional women leaders that was assembled when we were all recognized at a Lansing Chamber of Commerce Executive Welcome in September of last year. After we were recognized together, we stayed connected to encourage each other in an informal peer mentorship group.
The group consists of my peers Julie Pingston, President & CEO at Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau; Nicole Noll-Williams, President and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority; Michelle Lantz, CEO of the Greater Lansing Food Bank; Cindy Kangas, Executive Director of the Capital Area Manufacturing Council; and Helen Johnson, President of Sparrow Eaton Hospital.
We all shared the experience of becoming leaders within our respective organizations during the course of the pandemic and their voices, ideas and input have only helped me to become a stronger leader within my own organization.
I encourage community members who are looking to make an impact on their community or field of work to consider being a mentor. It could change someone’s, or perhaps your own life. I also wanted to say a quick thank you to every woman who has supported me throughout my career — together we are a powerful force for change. And I encourage women in business and leadership to lean on, mentor and lift each other up.
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