President & CEO Clara Spinetto gives back to her alma mater, Villanova University, by participating in the VSB Mentor Program.
Grayson Pruett ’23 CLAS is from Lake Forest, Ill., and will graduate in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with minors in Business and Finance. Outside of the classroom, she has started her own business by hosting the podcast Meant for Big Things. Clara currently works as the President and CEO of Mennta Energy Solutions, Inc. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages from CLAS in 1984.
What inspired you to join the VSB Mentor Program?
“Mentors have served as tremendous guides throughout my life. When I transferred to Villanova my sophomore year, finding a mentor was important in establishing a strong foundation. As a Political Science major, I became increasingly interested in international political economics and felt like I was missing an important piece: business. I wanted guidance on how to fuse my passions and academic interests into a career. I pursued a business minor through the Summer Business Institute and was afforded the opportunity to participate in the VSB Mentor Program.” – Grayson
“First, I was inspired to join the VSB Mentor Program because I was hoping to help young women see the incredible opportunities available to them now (especially compared to when I was that age). I hoped to reinforce that a glass ceiling can be broken, and that if you want something, you can make it happen with the proper mindset and goals. Second, I wanted to see the world through the next generation’s eyes. There’s a close to 40-year age difference between Grayson and me. I wanted to see how she sees things, reacts to challenges, and makes her career goals a reality.” – Clara
How has your experience compared to your expectation?
“My experience has exceeded my expectations. Clara has been very generous sharing her time and knowledge. She has served as a consultant for my business venture Meant for Big Things, aided in decision making, and guided me through fluctuating career paths. Sharing our Villanova experiences, specifically as it relates to business, has been incredibly rewarding. Clara has opened doors for me and serves as a great example of what is possible with hard work, multidisciplinary perspectives and consistency.” – Grayson
“Working with Grayson has truly exceeded my expectations. She rose to the challenge on many occasions, even when I questioned some choices. She listened, she did her research, and she acted on every objective we established.” – Clara
What makes your relationship a successful one?
“There is purpose to each meeting. We usually do not just meet to catch-up. There are objectives to be achieved at each meeting. While we hit the objectives, there is always room for the conversation to float elsewhere. We both share a fascination with many academic disciplines and have a desire to expand our knowledge. Our shared interests in business, international relations and entrepreneurship allow us to have meaningful conversations about the state of the world through an interdisciplinary perspective.” – Grayson
“We both respected each other’s time, commitments and viewpoints. Even if we did not necessarily agree on an item, we would support each other’s right to speak on it.” – Clara
What has been the best part about having a mentor/mentee?
“Clara is incredibly knowledgeable and has a keen eye for solutions. Her strategic advice as a mentor is invaluable. In addition, she creates an open environment to explore anything from career paths to school paper topics. It is a relief and confidence-booster to know she has my back and wants me to succeed. Last year, I was lost on which career path to take upon graduation. After long discussions, she suggested looking into investment banks. Through interview prep, diving into her network and increasing my confidence, Clara helped guide me to an exciting career in finance post-grad.” – Grayson
“Seeing Grayson thrive! She has made sound decisions, and I know she will be very successful. There is very little I can take credit for – it is all Grayson. But I will proudly watch her success from the sidelines and continue to cheer her on.” – Clara
Do you have a best practice to share with other pairs in the Program?
“The amount of effort you put into the Program determines what you get out of it. For students, an important best practice is planning. Prior to meetings, lay out short-term and long-term objectives, prepare a loose agenda, and most importantly, enter each meeting with something new, exciting and positive. During the meeting, discuss outside interests and creative ideas. Mentor meetings serve as a space of creation; come with a plan and purpose but let that serve as a base for genuine conversation and discovery.” – Grayson
“Be flexible and be somewhat casual. I found some of our best conversations were not scripted or bound by a strict agenda.” – Clara
Source: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/business/academics/undergraduate-programs/professional-development/mentor-program/success-stories.html