We’ve all heard of stories about how mentoring has changed people’s lives but when it comes to jumpstarting the process yourself to find and maintain a mentor can be nerve-wracking... just like going on your first date. Janet puts you in the driver's seat giving you the tools to navigate that journey and leaves you with the license to shift your own gears. Janet T. Phan is the Founder and Executive Director of Thriving Elements, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to helping underrepresented, underserved girls with long-term mentorship in STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics, & Engineering). She is also the EMEA (Europe-Middle East-Africa) Technology Program Leader for PwC responsible for rolling out one of PwC's key global digital transformation programs. One thing that has really stuck out to her is that, oftentimes, she is the only female at the table. Mentorship has been a big factor in Janet’s success. Given the opportunities she has been presented by the mentors in her life, she sees it as her life mission to develop and empower as many women leaders as possible in the STEM fields. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx