Linda Devonish Mills is a semi-retired business professional with over 30 years of work experience. She began her career as a CPA which led her to various career paths in the corporate and not-for-profit industries. She now works periodically as a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant and is a published writer on different business topics. She volunteers for the Alzheimer’s Association and a few other non-profits.
“I am a first-generation college graduate. Although my parents supported obtaining my degree, they could not guide me in successfully navigating my educational endeavors. I think it is important for first-generation college students to connect with graduates and successful professionals who look like them for inspiration.
I have been a Mentor Coach for the NJ chapter of ANY since July 2021 and am committed to a long-term relationship with the organization. This role has been a significant source of my personal growth and inspiration.”
Since 2021 Linda has mentored several first-generation college students through the Fellows Program.
“I am proud to say that I have mentored four beautiful young ladies since my tenure with ANY. My experience with my fellows has been incredibly satisfying, as I encourage weekly communication with them.
My current fellow is Nyshel. What I like most about her is her level of ambition. Her career aspiration is to become a lawyer. She wants to become a lawyer to help people in underrepresented groups understand their legal rights. Nyshel will graduate from Rider University in December 2024, 6 months before her official graduation date. She is planning to take the LSAT exam shortly after graduation. “
Linda enjoys being a Mentor Coach at ANY and continues to maintain a relationship with her mentees after they have graduated from the Fellows Program.
“I love guiding fellows in ways they may not be receiving elsewhere. Mentorship at ANY has been a mutually satisfying experience for me. I learn from Fellows just as much as they learn from me. Maintaining relationships with them has been great. I see how they continue to flourish after their Fellowship with ANY.”
She feels so strongly about the value of ANY’s mission that she promotes volunteering as a mentor to her friends and colleagues.
“My strong promotion of ANY has resulted in two of my friends serving as Mentor Coaches for the NJ and NY groups for the 2021 cohort. Friends and colleagues have attended workshops during the first year of the 2023 cohort as Career Coaches.
I plan to continue as a Mentor Coach beyond the 2023 cohort term. I enjoy assisting Fellows in strengthening the skills needed to succeed in college and their careers. “
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