Lora Robertson, current Board Member of Student Sponsor Partners, started her work with our organization 17 years ago. She spoke to us about her involvement and how women can impact the next generation. We are grateful to Lora and those like her who keep the cycle of generosity moving and who lead by example. Get to know our board member by reading some of her answers to questions about mentorship in honor of Women’s History Month!
What encouraged your involvement with SSP and why do you believe in the mission?
When I was working at Goldman Sachs, a close friend and colleague (and SSP Board Member) invited me to an informational session where SSP students spoke about the organization and the effect it had on their lives personally. It was an incredibly moving discussion and I immediately signed up to financially sponsor a student. That one meeting led me to sponsor dozens of students over the years and eventually become an SSP Board Member myself. The transformative power education can have on these students’ lives is why I continue to support SSP. And the effectiveness of each donation is transparent: you know the student you’re helping, you see their report cards, meet their family, etc. It becomes less a "donation" and more of a direct investment in a young person’s future.
What fulfillment have you gained and what does mentorship mean to you?
I’ve been fulfilled knowing that my mentee has a sounding board if she wants to talk about something that’s tricky. It helps to have somebody that’s been through shared experiences.
Who are women you look up to in history or in your own life? How have they shaped how you lead your life?
Whether from experiences competing athletically in college or working in a competitive financial industry, I always appreciated and marveled at women who would take the time to help younger women reach their heights. These women understood that bringing other women along was important and good and perhaps even fun! As I got more senior in my own roles, I hope I took those experiences to heart and did the same for the next generation. And SSP allows me to continue to do that for a cohort of young women who wouldn’t otherwise get some of these opportunities.
Become a sponsor by clicking here to make a gift for the incoming Class of 2027 today. We're always looking for mentors to support our students as well, so if you or someone you know is interested, click here to learn more about becoming a mentor and get started.
