Summit Sponsorship Spotlight: EY
January 19, 2022
Gerry Dixon, Managing Partner of the EY US Government and Public Sector practice: What mentoring means to me
I grew up poor in a farming community in Kansas. No one in my immediate family graduated from high school, so I had no path forward paved for me. If it were not for the mentors who gifted me the guidance and tools to succeed, I probably never would have built the confidence to go to college. In high school, my swim coach taught me how to set goals and build the discipline to achieve them. My business teacher gave me the inspiration and drive to apply to college to become an accountant. Today, I celebrate more than 31 years at the firm, and I’m fortunate to serve as the EY US Government and Public Sector Managing Partner — I attribute my success to the thoughtful guidance of my mentors. I also have the honor of serving on the MENTOR National Board and championing the group of EY leaders who serve on MENTOR affiliate boards.
At EY US, we know it is more important than ever to support the next generation during this challenging time. Through our efforts to bridge the digital divide, we gave more than 27,000 laptops and computers to students and provided more than 8,500 students with digital support, tutoring, meals and mentoring. Today, I pay it forward by mentoring many young people and professionals, both within my community and at EY US. Listening to my mentees talk about their work experiences, challenges and hopes encourages me to evaluate what I can do for my own teams. Being both a mentor and mentee has made me who I am today, and I hope we can all come together to help more young people maximize their potential.
This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as accounting, tax, legal or other professional advice. Please refer to your advisors for specific advice.