Deshietha Partee-Grier was my mentor in high school for 11 and 12th grade. I think I was 16 and 17 at the time. I remember going through many challenges at home and school. My high school was underfunded, and the neighborhood was under-resourced. I come from a low-income single-parent household. I was very introverted, shy, and reserved. I felt like I didn’t have a voice. She was the first adult to listen and validate my experiences. I didn’t know my future, and I was worried about fulfilling my parents high expectations. I remember always needing to make all A’s in school. I was constantly fighting to solidify a spot as valedictorian. There were times when people doubted me and times when I doubted myself. My family and teachers were deciding my future for me, but Mrs. Grier told me it’s my life and my decision. She was the first successful black woman I met, and just having that representation was eye-opening. I became valedictorian of my class, and I was the first in my family to gain that title. Thanks to her mentorship, I received the support I needed during those stressful times. I am 24, and I recently graduated with my Master’s in Social Work. I am currently a therapist, and I mainly work with children and adolescents. It’s a full circle moment! Mentorship helped me, and now I will continue to provide children and adolescents the tools they need to improve their well-being and self-efficacy. I remember feeling helpless but now I will continue to use my voice to help others.

Having Dee as a mentor was a great experience professionally and personally. As simple as it sounds, having someone who gave me advice and willing to offer any type of support without judging is tremendous. Dee helped me understand the importance of stepping up and challenge myself when I really did not have that confidence to do so. Whether it was throughout professional tasks or social events, she always makes sure that everyone can feel comfortable and try to get the best out of the people around. I want to thank her for everything, and I have no doubt that she will continue to inspire many people with her Charisma, dedication, empowerment, and cares.

I’m so happy to have met Dee, she has been a great mentor to me. I first met her when I started at Deutsche Bank after law school. Her kindness, willingness to share her own experiences and wisdom are all qualities that I appreciated and learned from in starting in the banking industry. Her mentorship was instrumental in helping me grow my professional career in the AML and Compliance industry. With her immense knowledge, experience, and connections she can assist anyone in navigating their career and landing the perfect job.

In Dee, I found a genuinely unique mentor. We have built a strong relationship based on trust and openness. She brought incredible insight, balanced perspectives and, at the same time, has challenged me at all the correct times to push myself that much harder to achieve my ambitions. It is really empowering and helpful to have an experienced Mentor with no agenda on my career, ambitions, or choices. I can talk totally openly and ask for really honest feedback. This has created such a positive dynamic in the relationship, an awareness that the advice you are receiving is genuine and sincere and only has your best interests at the heart of it. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of her network. It’s been incredible to have had insight from highly talented women that have either made it or are on their way up. Again what has struck me is the sincerity and openness of the dialogue. Finally, I want to thank you – you do such an incredible job, and I sincerely appreciate it. I am convinced having an outside Mentor is helping my career development.

One of the best mentors I’ve ever had. Always there when I need her. Everytime we meet there is always laughs and making sure I am doing what I am supposed to especially concerning college.