Mentoring the girls no one sees | Julie Ruehle | TEDxDel Sur Women

Key Concepts:

• Mentorship as an investment in young girls, especially immigrant girls.
• Overcoming obstacles of being a woman and an immigrant in male-dominated spaces.
• Access to networks and capital as key challenges for immigrant women.
• Mentorship as a strategy for future leadership and a ripple effect of change.
• Amplifying voices of underrepresented individuals.

I. Overcoming Obstacles and Building Bridges

• Julie Roelly recounts her experience as the only woman and immigrant woman in boardrooms, initially feeling out of place.
• She emphasizes the need to adapt quickly, listen deeply, and understand the audience, especially in male-dominated environments.
• Roelly transformed her perceived obstacles (being a woman and an immigrant) into "superpowers," enabling her to build bridges between generations and cultures.
• She focuses on mentoring young immigrant girls, including refugees, who often face challenges like language barriers and cultural acclimation.
• Roelly recalls feeling "invisible" upon arriving in the US at age 18, unable to speak English or understand the culture.

II. Mentorship as a Trajectory Changer

• Roelly argues that mentorship is not "soft" but a "trajectory" changer that can save futures.
• She shares an example of "Math Wednesdays" with Syrian refugee children, where she and her daughters provided math help, pizza, and, most importantly, presence and consistency.
• The initiative aimed to make the refugees feel seen, valued, and hopeful about their future.
• Roelly observed a transformation in the girls, who became more confident and started reimagining their possibilities.

III. Data on Underrepresentation and Access

• Data shows that immigrant women are underrepresented in corporate America, venture capital, and leadership roles.
• Pitchbook data from 2023 indicates that venture funding for women is less than 2%.
• A Harvard study showed that funding for female founders averaged less than 2.4% over 30 years.
• Studies suggest VCs spend less time reviewing pitch decks from female founders.
• Roelly highlights that the issue is not talent but access to networks and capital.

IV. The Ripple Effect of Mentorship

• Roelly shares a story about mentoring "Emma," an Iranian-American MIT graduate who lacked confidence and felt like a guest in her own professional life.
• Through mentorship, Emma gained confidence, started speaking up, and now runs a biotech startup and mentors three girls herself.
• Roelly calls this the "ripple effect," where one voice amplifies others, creating a wave of change.
• She emphasizes that mentorship is not handholding but "handing of power" to the next generation.

V. Call to Action

• Roelly urges the audience to amplify the voices of those who are underrepresented and to be the reason someone finds their voice.
• She encourages businesses to incorporate mentorship into their programs and leaders to look beyond standard candidates.
• Roelly advises those who are the first in their profession to leave the door open for others and not shut it behind them.
• She concludes by stating that she ensures the next generation is represented in boardrooms and invests in overlooked girls because she believes they can do great things.

VI. Notable Quotes

• "These two attributes, being a woman, being an immigrant woman, actually they were not my obstacles. They became superpowers."
• "Mentorship is a trajectory. It changes trajectory of one's life. It can actually save future."
• "No one, and I mean no one, should have to become what they have never seen."
• "You not only belong there, you expand the room by being in it."
• "Instead of calling it handholding, it's more of a handing of power to the next generation."

VII. Technical Terms and Concepts

• Venture Capital (VC): Funding provided to startups and small businesses with perceived growth potential.
• Pitch Deck: A brief presentation, often created using PowerPoint, used to provide an audience with a quick overview of your business plan.
• Immigration Deductible: Probably a misspoken word. It is more likely that she meant "insurance deductible" which is the amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay.
• Ripple Effect: The spreading effects of an event or action.

VIII. Synthesis/Conclusion

Julie Roelly's talk emphasizes the importance of mentorship, particularly for young immigrant girls, as a means of overcoming systemic barriers and unlocking their leadership potential. She argues that mentorship is not merely a charitable act but a strategic investment in the future, creating a ripple effect of positive change. By sharing her personal experiences and highlighting relevant data, Roelly calls on individuals and organizations to actively amplify the voices of underrepresented groups and create pathways for future generations to succeed.