Want to be an Ally? Be like Jim. How an unexpected Mentor changed the trajectory of my career

To know Jim was to be intimidated by him. He was ridiculously smart, a very direct communicator, and the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of MeadWestvaco. He was also my boss’s boss’s boss. At the time, I was working as a Business Analyst in his organization and I had spent quite a bit of time reflecting on what I wanted to do next. After deliberating for what seemed like forever, I decided it was time to go back to school to get an MBA. I didn’t know anyone with an MBA, so I had no idea what to do next. I mustered up the courage to set up a meeting with Jim since he was a very successful executive and knew more about the MBA process than anyone I knew. I believe that what happened next serves as a blueprint for every ally wondering what they can do to help develop a pipeline of Black business leaders and executives. 

1.    He took the meeting. He didn’t have to. I worked for someone, who worked for someone, who worked for him. He had way more important things to do than take a meeting with a Business Analyst three levels below him.

2.    He stretched my ambition….and I mean he really stretched it. I told Jim I was considering an MBA and was planning to do so from a university one city over. He said absolutely not. I was surprised by his reaction. He shared that when it comes to MBAs, rankings matter because many prestigious employers only recruited from the top schools. Jim made clear that it was extremely important I go to a top 10 school (the school I was considering was far from that). Since I was part of his organization, he knew my performance and potential. As such, he proceeded to convince me that I could get into the top schools. He said all of this was possible if I was willing to try.

3.    He put his reputation on the line. Not only did he convince me to apply to top schools, he offered to write my letter of recommendation for all the applications. I was floored by this gesture because it went above and beyond what I expected as a result of a brief conversation with him. I left his office thankful I had summoned up the courage to seek his advice.

4.    He was right about me. I applied to 3 of the top 10 schools. He kept his promise to write my recommendation letters, and I got into 2 of the 3 schools. Not only did I get into the top schools, but I graduated top of my class from the prestigious Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Yes, he was right about me and he saw a potential in me that I didn’t see in myself.

5.    He was right about my potential. He was right that certain employers only recruited at the top schools. After business school, I had several offers and ultimately joined General Mills as an Associate Marketing Manager.  I learned so much about marketing there, which really served as the foundation for the rest of my career. He was totally right. General Mills did not recruit at my local university (or at least they didn’t at the time) and I would not have had access to their foundational training if Jim had not intercepted my application process. 

So why am I writing this? Jim passed away almost two years ago and I was completely crushed when I found out. I have agonized about how to honor the legacy of the unexpected mentor that changed the trajectory of my career. The truth is, everything I have achieved professionally since that mentorship conversation in his office is a part of his legacy. I never stop thinking about him and the impact he had on my life and career. 

If you had told my 25-year-old self that I would one day be the Global Chief Marketing Officer of Prime Video and Amazon Studios, I would have looked at you with disbelief. While I couldn’t “see” it then, Jim could. His belief in me made all the difference. It gave me the confidence to reach for a dream I thought was impossible. So if you’re an ally saying to yourself, “It’s Black History Month. The disparities between Black people and everyone else are pretty clear. I really want to help. How can I help?” Look around you, find promising young, Black talent in your orbit. Tell them you see them. Make it clear that you see their potential. Then, go beyond words and do something tangible to help them achieve their potential. Basically, if you want to be an ally, be like Jim. The world needs more Jims. #BeLikeJim #RIPJimMcGrane