Mentorship, to me, is not optional—it is a responsibility. It is one of the most meaningful ways I can give back to the community that has given me so much. When we mentor younger Americans, we do more than share advice; we pass along experience, values, and the confidence to believe in one’s limitless potential.

I have learned that the lessons that matter most rarely come from books alone. They come from lived experience—successes, failures, missteps, and perseverance. When those experiences are shared, they help the next generation learn faster, avoid unnecessary obstacles, and move forward with greater clarity and courage. A mentor cannot remove challenges but helps make them navigable.

I believe deeply that mentorship is a responsibility of leadership. Those of us who have had access to opportunity, education, and support, have an obligation to extend the support and encouragement to others. Leadership is not defined by how far one advances individually, but by how many others are helped along life’s journey.

At this stage of my career, mentoring is one of my most important values and one that I cherish. I am acutely aware that I stand tall on the shoulders of others. I benefited from extraordinary mentors throughout my schooling, including at Harvard Law School and at the prestigious law firms where I worked—individuals who challenged me, believed in me, and invested their time in my growth and success. Their guidance shaped my path, and I carry those lessons with me every day. Now, it is my turn to give back, and I have been doing this for years.

Whether I am mentoring a single individual—as I recently did through the United Way of Northeast Florida’s Stein Mentorship program in 2024-2025 —or working with groups of young attorneys or high school students or law students, or when I meet young people, I try to instill a simple but powerful message: believe in yourself and never give up. I encourage a “can-do” mindset rooted in resilience and effort.

Failure, in my view, is not something to fear or avoid; it is something to learn from. Every setback carries a lesson, and every lesson brings us closer to success. In fact, I believe that every challenge, failure, or an obstacle is an opportunity to learn and grow. One should learn to embrace challenges, so that when life gives you lemons, you learn to make lemonade!

America has always been defined by its generosity and its belief in possibility. I believe our communities are strongest when we move forward together, committed to provide opportunity and equity for all. Through mentorship, we can help build a more just society and ensure that America continues to serve as a model for other nations—one where success is shared, potential is nurtured, and all of us rely on each other, like the rising tide that raises all boats.

Mentoring younger Americans is how I honor the help I received—and how I invest in the future we all share.

~Sheela Murthy