Retiring with Purpose

A few years ago, I did a little soul-searching to decide how I really wanted to spend my time during my retirement years. 

Looking back at a gratifying career in finance, I realized just how vital my undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate education were to my later success. Like so many of you, my time spent in various classrooms and engaged in professional development activities helped lay the groundwork for strong analytical and problem-solving skills, decision-making, effective interpersonal skills, perseverance, goal setting, time management, teamwork, and leadership skills. 

It was not an easy road for me. Putting myself through school with the help of student loans, partial academic scholarships and grants, being one of only a few women in corporate finance, and not having the benefit of a mentor, I made many early career decision mistakes. 

Many of my missteps could have been avoided had I had the guidance of someone to help me navigate the entire college process and my early career. 

Now, as part of The Immokalee Foundation’s Mentor Program, I have the opportunity to mentor a young, ambitious student and give back in a way that was not afforded to me. 

For 33 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on education, career readiness, and professional development for students in Immokalee—from kindergarten through postsecondary education. 

The Foundation provides new pathways to success and financial independence through robust programming that prepares students for well-paying, in-demand professional careers in Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management and Healthcare. 

If you also believe in the power of education, I encourage you to become an Immokalee Foundation mentor. The beneficiaries are exceptional young people who can profit immensely from your experience and guidance. 

Many are first-generation college-bound students who do not have family members who can help them navigate the complex college admissions process. All of them just want an opportunity to prove what they can do. 

As a volunteer mentor, you would meet with your high school mentee at least twice monthly for 30 minutes or more—virtually or in person. The Foundation provides a workbook, which is very helpful in guiding your mentee on their postsecondary path and just sparking general conversation. 

The workbook includes modules on personal interests, realistic goals, positive values, social skills, academic success, college readiness, career readiness, and a road map to college. The exercises are thought-provoking and help guide our conversations to build the skills my mentee will need to succeed in college and her future career. 

After every session with my delightful mentee, I feel highly invigorated and encourage everyone to consider being an Immokalee Foundation mentor. Your experience, guidance, and support can really make a difference to the success of a young student and, eventually, the future of the next generation.