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Mentorship Month: Mentor Spotlight Mary Yedlin

womenintoys


Tell us about your career, and what inspired you to become a mentor.


I’ve worked in various industries at the juncture of business and creative – spanning publishing, MoMA in New York, DC Comics, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and more. Being around and working with creative people inspires and energizes me, and I’m able to bring business experience to the mix.  It’s an interesting blend of people who have different strengths and perspectives working together to achieve specific goals.  


Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have had colleagues who generously mentored me and helped me grow. It’s a natural next step to pay it forward in whatever ways I can – and working with the Ruth Handler Mentorship Program is a perfect fit.





What is the most rewarding part of mentorship to you?


The most rewarding aspects of this program are getting to know people I probably wouldn’t have otherwise and doing my best to help my mentees navigate whatever issues they’re confronting.


What has surprised you most about the mentorship experience?


It’s so interesting that it’s often some of the simplest things we take for granted that make a difference: breaking problems into manageable steps, prioritizing, figuring out where to go for more information, recognizing the dynamics of an organization,knowing how to prepare for key meetings and trade shows. Especially for some who are new to an industry or feel like they don’t have a support network, it’s often simply about having someone with whom to brainstorm, untangle issues and plan.

What everyday actions do you feel qualify as mentorship? It starts with simply getting to know someone new: their strengths and challenges, their frustrations, their goals, their vision. Then it’s about mapping out how best to help.





How do you find time to mentor with a busy schedule?


I so enjoy being a mentor that I make it a priority to block the time.  And it’s actually not all that time-consuming.  An hour conference on whatever schedule you agree upon, reviewing their work and perhaps a little time on research when needed. In general, you’re listening, asking questions and offering guidance, but most of the work is done by your mentee.


What would you say to someone who doesn't feel experienced enough to mentor?


I think it’s a question of realizing just how much you’ve learned from your experiences wherever you are in your career.  The Ruth Handler Mentorship Program asks you to designate your strengths from a list, and they match you with mentees looking for help in those areas.  We all have value we can offer.  The best way to realize that, as I have, is to jump in and become a mentor.  I absolutely encourage everyone to sign up. It’s so rewarding!





Can you share any specific mentor "wins" from your partnerships in the Ruth Handler Mentorship Program?


I suppose the biggest win is that many of my mentees continue to reach out to me long after our initial engagement was officially over. I have had such an interesting and wide-ranging group of mentees. Several in companies got the promotions they were seeking.  Others who were developing new franchises or businesses have been able to successfully move forward with their plans.


What is the most fulfilling thing you get from being a mentor


The best part:  Getting to know a range of interesting people who are pursuing different careers – and being able to help them in ways I didn’t expect.

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