Why I'm Resolving To Mentor Young Women In 2015

At Business Insider, we recently asked an inspiring group of people to share their New Year's resolutions.

In 2015, Arianna Huffington wants to read more for pleasure; Mark Cuban plans to get back out on the basketball court; Barbara Corcoran aims to reconnect with friends; and Fred Mouawad hopes to manage his time better.

Whether or not you believe resolving to do something once a year has real benefit, reflecting on the past and considering the road ahead is always a good strategy for success. In fact, the founder and CEO of Panera told me he sets goals each year around Christmas, and many of these initiatives have changed his life.

It got me thinking about what I'd like to accomplish next year. There's the usual: eat more veggies, fewer carbs; exercise consistently; spend more time with the people and activities I love.

But it also made me consider how I might be able to give back. I decided I'd like to make a conscious effort to mentor more young women in the coming year. Sure, I've offered advice here and there, responding to readers' email questions or offering guidance to young colleagues who've asked. But I've generally ignored the calls from my alma mater to mentor recent grads and haven't otherwise thought much of it.

We know that, whether due to lack of education or existing social norms, women are less likely than men to negotiate their salaries, more likely start in lower positions or with lower starting offers, slower to receive promotions, and strikingly underrepresented at the highest levels of leadership.

While I'm still learning, I’ve had the benefit of smart, caring people who’ve helped me along the way, who’ve explained the importance of (tactfully) asking for what I want, of pushing myself to grow, and how to do it. One told me I was an idiot if I didn't open a 401k and left a company match on the table. Thanks to her, that money has been steadily growing since I was 22.

That’s why in 2015 I’m resolving to help other young women who are coming up behind me. What are your goals for the New Year?

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See more from Business Insider:

• 20 Super-Successful People Share Their New Year's Resolution
• Why It's Harder For Women To Say 'No' To Extra Work
• 13 Subtle Ways Women Are Treated Differently At Work