Every great journey starts with a meaningful connection. At Avon Old Farms, we believe that the path from potential to achievement is best traveled with guidance, and our annual Mentorship Program is designed to offer exactly that. In just 12 weeks, mentors and mentees embark on a dynamic journey together, forming connections that bridge generations and spark transformation.

Past program participant William Russler ’23 recently reached out expressing his appreciation for the experience. We chatted with him and his mentor Winston McKellar ’69, P’05, 07 to learn more about the program through their eyes. 

Russler shared that although his college classes were going well, he had been struggling to land an internship. That was until he got paired with McKellar through the school’s Mentorship Program. “Thanks to Winston's great advice, I was finally able to land a great finance internship in NYC this summer. His input was a focal point in my preparation, as he offered strong ways to approach interviews and networking,” Russler says.

While landing an internship in such a competitive space is a cause for celebration, it’s not the only reason Russler enjoyed the program. “I have had a great spring getting to know Winston, and he has been a strong mentor and reference point for me. Over our several conversations, we have discussed career advice, life lessons, and how to navigate the years beyond college into manhood. Having access to Winston's guidance for all facets of life is a major privilege.”

The feeling is definitely mutual between mentor and mentee. “I got paired with a sensational guy in William Russler,” shares McKellar. “He’s flexible, ambitious, and he’s a great listener. If I was going to adopt another son, it would be William.”

Each mentorship pairing operates a little differently, varying based on the needs of each mentee. For McKellar and Russler, it started with a 10-minute introductory phone call that ended up lasting almost two hours. After that, they only met a few more times for a quick check-in. “We didn’t need any more than that because he was really listening and was open to learning,” McKellar explains. “I gave my insight and he just took off with it.”

Both participants plan to keep in contact going forward. “When you have a good connection, you don’t want to let it go. I’ll probably reach out every few months, but he knows if he needs me then I’m here,” McKellar says.

The Avon Old Farms Mentorship Program is a structured, intentional experience designed to guide, support, and challenge participants to grow personally and professionally. From the very start of Avon’s Mentorship Program, mentors and mentees are equipped with resources to lay a solid foundation for success. Both are guided through clear onboarding steps and supported by a comprehensive guidebook, instructional videos, and access to the AOF Alumni Network’s scheduling and video chat tools. Our platform provides resources specific to both the mentor and the mentee, guiding them through six planned meeting agendas.

McKellar shared why he chose to take on a mentee, saying he highly recommends taking part in the program. “The older you get, the more you want to mentor. I’ve been a mentee in the past, and now I want to give back. Also, if you get the right candidate, there’s a good chance of you two growing together.”

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