Summer 2026 Mentors Share the Career Advice That Guides Them

21 hours ago
2 min read

interVivos is excited to spotlight an incredible group of volunteer mentors taking part in the Summer 2026 Mentorship Program.

This season’s program celebrates the experiences, insights, and leadership of Asian professionals, giving protégés the opportunity to connect with mentors whose voices and perspectives are not always equally represented. At interVivos, we remain committed to building meaningful relationships, amplifying diverse leadership, and creating opportunities for learning and growth within the community.

This program is the first interVivos mentorship program to exclusively feature Asian mentors and the third to exclusively feature mentors who are people of colour, including two previous programs focused on BIPOC mentors.

We asked our mentors to share one piece of career advice that has stayed with them throughout their journey and continues to shape how they approach their work and goals today.

Read on to hear their advice in their own words.

Dr. Bonnie Islam: “Don’t burn bridges. No matter the field, people remember how you treat others. Treat everyone equally and respectfully because hard work gets noticed.”

Major Jose Areekadan: “Lead by example.”

Larissa Kho: “A bad decision is better than no decision.”

Linda Ha: “Mistakes are data. It’s okay to make them as long as you learn and improve from them. Taking the shame out of failure and replacing it with curiosity changed everything for me.”

Puneet Manchanda: “Focus on understanding the bigger picture, not just doing your part well. Long-term success comes from seeing how your work connects to the broader organization and contributes to lasting impact.”

Gingie Welsh: “Be open to possibilities and opportunities. Even when things feel impossible or unclear, you never know what doors may lead to growth until you walk through them.”

Ilona Maitra: “Consider the broader perspective and recognize how your experiences contribute to your overall purpose and goals. Don’t get too caught up in minor details.”

Jasjit Kahlon: “Hard work trumps everything. Your deep desires shape your thoughts, your thoughts shape your actions, and your actions shape your destiny.”

Patrick Yu: “Don’t hide your heritage or identity to fit in. Be proud, authentic, and true to yourself throughout your career journey.”

Soni Dasmohapatra: “Your career is what you make it. Be brave, take risks, and define success for yourself while still maintaining stability on your own terms.”

Are you interested in being a mentor for an upcoming program?

Email connect@intervivos.ca to find out more.