When was the last time you truly felt you catalyzed someone’s success?

For years, I’ve been a mentor, but recently reflecting on the Inspiring Change Award (see link), by Mentorship & Volunteerism Excellence Awards I’ve come to believe there’s something more to this role.

“Mentor” implies a one-way relationship, with one person always ahead. But that’s not the whole story, is it? In reality, the best relationships are where we lift each other up—where we grow together. I’ve come to realize, I am not a mentor, I am a catalyst.

Three phenomenal women come to mind who I have had the pleasure of playing a small part in their journey —three women whose stories deserve to be told. They aren’t just success stories; they are living examples of what it means to lead, innovate, and inspire.

Aurelia – About seven years ago, I introduced Aurelia to the Business Model Canvas through A Lady Is Initiative program, aimed at equipping young Ghanaian women with business and life skills. From that introduction, she’s and her great talent and desire to grow she has gone on to do incredible things. Today, Aurelia as the founder of The Pitch Hub works with major global organizations, including GIZ, and this year brought BP—yes, the BP—to Ghana for its first-ever innovation program here. Let me tell you, I’ve run many programs with some of the top business schools, and a World Bank Funded Hub but never have I brought a billion-dollar company to launch something in Ghana. Aurelia did that—and with excellence. https://citinewsroom.com/2024/08/the-pitch-hub-and-bp-launch-initiative-to-empower-african-entrepreneurs/

While she may still call me her advisor, truth be told, I’m the one asking her for advice these days. Watching her rise has been nothing short of spectacular.

Dominica – A computer engineer by training, I met Dominica early on when I came to Ghana. I remember helping her with mentor Pam (who trust be told I look up to as a mentor too). Having studied computer science I was eager to just give her words of encouragement cause CS is not the easier of degrees. Fast forward to today, and she’s now a leading AI and machine learning expert, based in Switzerland. She is written about in articles (https://newsroom.arm.com/blog/women-engineering-spotlight) , leads discussions, and speaking at global conferences about the future of AI including the TTTT in South Africa. She’s someone I’d now call if I wanted to dive deeper into tech. Just the other day, she sent me an article she wrote, and I couldn’t help but think—what a privilege it is to witness her brilliance. https://de.newsroom.ibm.com/watsonx-GenAI-Challenge-Switzerland

If one day I’ll start an AI company she will be top of my list to hire. But at this point, I think she’s the one making the hiring decisions!

Esther, aka Miss Agriculture Ghana – Now, let’s talk about sheer determination and vision. Esther has curated a network of 14,000 women in agribusiness across Ghana. That’s 14,000 women, from Shea Butter processors to Gari makers, farmers to traders, all structured in a way I can only admire. Not only does she lead them by region and sector, but she’s passionate about improving their working conditions.

In Ghana, many women still use polluting methods like firewood and charcoal for production, which increases the risk of respiratory illnesses and even cancer. Esther’s mission? To find #clean, #green solutions for these women and their families.

I am so proud to be working with her to find innovative financing and export opportunities. Honestly, her drive leaves me in awe.

These women—now in #London, #Zurich, and #Koforidua—are catalysts in their own right. The roles have reversed, and I now find myself learning from them, calling them for advice, best practise for implementing training, what is happening in the world of AI or Agribusiness. It’s been an incredible journey, not only watching them succeed but knowing I’ve played a part in sparking that success.

So, here’s my question to you—in your leadership roles, are you mentoring or catalyzing change? How are you empowering others to surpass their own expectations and even yours? How are you being a catalyst?

This was sparked by a conversation with one mentee.

I invite you to share your stories in the comments. Let’s inspire each other and celebrate the moments when we’ve catalyzed greatness in others. If any of these stories resonate with you, I’d love for you to like, share, or drop a comment.

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