01/28/2026
When Mara first joined the American Heart Association, she was eager to learn, and she found a mentor who helped her see beyond her role. Through honest conversations and steady guidance, she built critical thinking and problem-solving skills that shaped her career.
Fourteen years later, Mara knew it was her turn to pay it forward.
That’s what led her to become a mentor in our L.E.A.D. mentoring program, where she was paired with Brooke. From the start, Mara focused on creating a space rooted in empathy, trust, and honesty, helping Brooke not only work toward her goals but also recognize her own potential.
Brooke had just made a major career pivot, joining Heart as a senior project coordinator after a background in education. The transition felt big, but it was familiar to Mara. She’d been there before. That shared experience opened the door to intentional conversations about transferable skills, confidence, and long-term growth within the Association.
Through this consistent support, Brooke has obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which is a rigorous and challenging process, Mara testified.
While their roles are mentor and mentee, both say they’ve grown equally. Mara says becoming a mentor has helped her exercise a different leadership skill set than she uses in her daily role. Brooke has learned to be bold as she pinpoints where she wants to move next in her career, taking actionable steps like her PMP, to get there. And together, they are thankful for an organization that prioritizes workplace connections and career growth.
