To my mentors, thank you.

I’m often asked about the people who helped me become the leader I am today. I think about those mentors a lot—and not just because I get the question so often! There are so many who’ve taught me so much over the years. But I’m not so sure that I’ve ever told them just how much they meant to me on my journey.??

In the spirit of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to say more about how they shaped me—and to thank them. The gratitude is long overdue.?

Donna Levitz

Early in my career, I worked on the fixed income trading desk at Merrill Lynch supporting a very nascent Bloomberg fixed income trading system. I remember having massive imposter syndrome as I walked past desks full of men screaming into their phones, often cursing and occasionally throwing stuff (literally). Nothing could have prepared me for the intensity of that job. Every day I was reminded how little I knew.?

But Donna was always there to help. When I didn’t know the answer, Donna was the first person I called. She was an expert in the markets and in Bloomberg. She didn’t just answer my questions, she would take the time to give me context and color.?

I remember the day Donna resigned. We went out to lunch and my eyes filled with tears. I told her I couldn’t make it without her. Sure, I’d graduated from Georgetown with a degree in Business and had been at Bloomberg for 2 years at that point—but I wasn’t a fixed income expert. I couldn’t do it. I was still a fraud. She was the real deal. Who would I call when I didn’t know the answer? Donna looked at me and told me that I was ready, that it was my time. And you know what? Donna was right. She had taught me to stand on my own. And I did.?

I haven’t seen Donna since the day she left Bloomberg, and she likely doesn’t realize the impact she had on me. Thank you, Donna.

Beth Mazzeo

A few years later, I joined Bloomberg’s first Product team working under Beth Mazzeo. In addition to being an expert in the financial markets, Beth had a reputation of being a strong manager. I looked up to her right from the start.?

Almost immediately, Beth pushed me out of my comfort zone—giving me projects and work that I didn’t think I was totally prepared for. She was laser-focused on helping me to be exceptional.? “Good enough” wasn’t good enough when you could strive to be great.?

I remember the first time I presented a new product idea to Mike Bloomberg. Beth spent hours preparing me. She helped me bring the concept to life. We drilled on the facts and the storytelling and the format. Then it was time for the presentation. I was nervous but I felt ready. The prep paid off—Mike loved it and immediately funded the project. Beth might not remember that day or the preparation that went into it, but I’ll never forget it.?

Many years later, I would end up working for Beth again as the Global Head of Talent. One day, I remember feeling anxious about a big presentation I was giving to Mike and the rest of the executive team. After the meeting ended, Beth came onto the HR floor and gave me a big high-10. She went on to tell my team what a great job I did.?

Years before, she taught me how to deliver the kind of presentation I did in that meeting. But her coaching wasn’t finished. That day, she taught me the value of recognition for leaders. Forever teaching, and forever the epitome of a coach.?

Thank you, Beth, for your unwavering support over the last 25 years.

Jacki Kelley

I got to know Jacki while I was Global Head of Talent at Bloomberg. She was a powerhouse. I remember watching her run a meeting when she was the COO of Bloomberg Media. She seemed to know the business better than anyone in the room. She was direct. She held everyone around the table accountable for results. I remember thinking she should be a CEO.?

The more time I spent with Jacki the more I realized how much perspective she could share with me about the world outside of Bloomberg. She had had a wildly successful career before coming to Bloomberg, a wide lens of what the world was like outside.?

Having grown up in one organization for more than 20 years, I wondered how other companies could benefit from my experience. Jacki assured me that the opportunities were endless and encouraged me to dream big. She introduced me to the Fast Forward Group , an executive coaching program designed to help people create a vision for their future and an accountability system to execute. I wrote my vision down. I wanted to be a Chief People Officer. Jacki helped give me the confidence to leave Bloomberg and go for it. And here I am, the Chief People Officer at Carta.?

Jacki, thank you for giving me the push I needed to take my career to the next level. Dentsu is so lucky to have you as their CEO.?

To all my mentors, thank you. Thank you for being so selfless in your desire to help me and others be successful. For that I am eternally grateful. And I promise to pay it forward at Carta and beyond.??