This post was co-authored with Saul Kaplan, Founder of The Business Innovation Factory. Beware of random collisions with unusual suspects. Unless...

The word "mentor" can imply a lot of different things to a lot of different people - guide, role model, coach, the individual who makes it her persona...

My relationship with Margaret Thatcher began in 1989, thanks to meeting Mother Teresa. These pioneering leaders with a "tough and tender" entrepreneurial spirit inspired creation of The Noel Foundation "Life" Award.

I recently made a life stage change. It was a professional change, but that, of course, has a huge impact on my personal life.

Alcohol and poverty tore my family apart. In the midst of the chaos, my dreams of pursuing an education seemed unrealistic. I didn't know how I would succeed because I had never seen anyone close to me do it.

It's impossible to quantify the influence my mentor had on me. Spending time together made me feel valued, important and worthy. In a school and home that lacked the means to provide resources, my mentor taught me how to ask for help and advocate for myself.