Leading the Conversation About Next-Generation Mentoring

Meet Jessica Francis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-francis-440b875b/?_l=en_US), the Land Acquisition Manager for Drees Homes (http://www.dreeshomes.com) and the youngest sitting President of the Northern Virginia Builders Industry Association (NVBIA). In this episode of TERN Talks, Jessica unpacks her incredible journey, sharing how her Psychology degree unexpectedly prepared her for success in the male-dominated field of land acquisition and development. She offers invaluable insights on everything from door-knocking at age 24 to the profound shift of learning to set boundaries as a working parent. Discover how Jessica is championing younger generation leadership in homebuilding and how her secret to success lies in turning feelings into a "superpower".

Chapters:
[00:00] Intro
[0:29] Introduction Of Jessica Francis And Her Current Roles
[2:07] Unpacking The Psychology Degree And Career Path To Land Acquisition
[3:09] The Start Of Home Building Career And Reframing Rejection
[10:34] The Necessity Of Boundaries And Dealing With Career And Home Guilt
[14:15] Becoming The Youngest President Of NVBIA And Developing A Succession Planning Vision
[21:10] Addressing Workforce Gaps And The Friction Of Knowledge Transfer
[29:55] Using The Pause To Manage The Fawn Response In High-Stakes Negotiations
[36:09] The Freshman Year Rebellion And The Lesson Learned From A Poor Decision
[44:49] Mentorship Pearls: Networking, Rejecting Perfectionism, And Feelings As Superpower

What is it like to be nominated and be part of the Sonny Lubick Leadership Seminar at Colorado State University? Tina Fox gets first-hand thoughts and in-depth insights about this program from nine of its current participants. In this roundtable discussion, she chats with Faith Dodge, Emily Ho, Rhys Travis, Arden Houck, Ally Bartels, Cameron Loew, Patrick Macholl, Ava Lee, and Rachel Turner, together with Department Chair & Associate Professor of Management Dr. Liz Karam. Together, they explain everything they have learned from the program, from leading with purpose and intention to the importance of embracing your most authentic self. They also define leadership and success in the context of today’s digital age, when nonstop tech innovation and rapid work reign supreme.

Chapters:
[00:00] Intro
[7:15] What Makes The Sonny Lubick Leadership Seminar Different
[10:51] How Culture is Being Overlooked In The Current Generation
[14:33] What Does Authenticity Mean Today
[25:00] Defining And Understanding The Different Aspects Of Success
[28:57] Impact Of Cross-Generational Conversations
[31:16] Number One Lesson Of The Sonny Lubick Leadership Seminar
[32:54] Message To The Person Who Nominated Them
[34:32] Plans After The Leadership Seminar And After Graduation
[37:10] Why Join The Sonny Lubick Leadership Seminar
[39:40] Discussion Wrap-up And Closing Words

What does mentorship look like when the future is unclear—and constantly changing? In this episode, we sit down with Kate Byrne (https://katherinebyrne.com/)—founder of Women Advancing (https://katherinebyrne.com/podcast/), advisor, and civic leader—to explore how mentorship must evolve in a world shaped by AI, rapid change, and uncertainty. Kate shares why traditional advice is becoming obsolete—and why modern mentorship is really about helping others navigate ambiguity, think critically, and find their voice. From bridging generational gaps to fostering real human connection in a digital-first world, this conversation dives into what it truly takes to guide the next generation into careers and realities that don’t even exist yet. If you’re a leader, mentor, or student trying to make sense of the future—this one is for you.

Chapters:
[00:00] Intro
[1:44] The Black Ops Agent At Skywalker Ranch
[7:15] Mentorship As "Orientation" For The Future
[12:52] Canceling Cancel Culture Through Curiosity
[16:52] Why AI Can’t Replace The "Human Presence"
[24:15] The "Sailing" Model For Education
[28:50] The Gift Of Being Fired
[37:28] The "Smartest Person In The Room" Networking Hack
[43:14] Connecting The Dots From Charlottesville To California

Impostor syndrome can be defined as a feeling of intellectual fraudulence. In this mindset, you feel as if you have tricked the people around you into thinking that you are more competent than you actually are. But in fact, you are only belittling your own talents and skills. You can make it to the top, but the biggest obstacle to your success is you. Tina Fox explores how mentorship can help deal with imposter syndrome with Dan Gullifor https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-gullifor-a4b97315/, associate professor of management and the Tyler Patterson Early Career fellow in the College of Business at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. They discuss how to stop such a self-sabotaging mindset in its tracks, fully unleashing your most authentic and powerful self. Dan also explains why high-achieving women are the most prone to impostor syndrome, and what they can do to perform at their best without getting ashamed or afraid.

Chapters:
[00:00] - Introduction
[03:24] - Delving Into The Research Side Of Impostor Syndrome
[10:32] - Explaining Impostor Syndrome To Others
[17:54] - How Impostor Syndrome Leads To Self-Sabotage
[22:29] - How Mentorship Can Help Deal With Impostor Syndrome
[30:17] - Bringing Mentorship To The Classroom
[41:20] - The Ideal Ecosystem Of Mentorship In Educational Institutions
[45:23] - How Students Can Deal With Impostor Syndrome
[47:48] - Get In Touch With Dan

Welcome to the latest Zoomcast with Tina Fox, TERN Mentoring and Jen Dalton, BrandMirror. The discussion centers around networking and best practices for anyone in their career.
www.ternmentoring.com

How do you keep a friendship alive across decades, distance, and all of life’s changes? In this candid conversation, host Tina Fox sits down with her longtime friend Amy Foy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-foy-msn-cpnp-pc-pmhs-4b8a7522a/) —a nurse practitioner, mom of three, and fellow JMU sorority sister—to explore the real work behind lasting relationships. From their early-90s college “origin story” to the financial struggles, marriages, kids, and career shifts that followed, Tina and Amy share the elements that have kept them connected: shared values, genuine curiosity, and the difference between active listening and simply talking. Amy breaks down her three C’s - commitment, communication, and community - which have shaped their 20-year Girls Weekend tradition and sustained their bond. If you’re seeking a lifer friend, wondering about red flags, or trying to build deeper connections in a tech-driven world, this episode offers grounded, practical wisdom from a friendship that has truly stood the test of time.

Chapters:
[00:00] Intro
[02:40] Origin Story & Initial Connection (College)
[13:56] Post-Graduation: Maintaining Distance & New Milestones
[18:06] The Work Of Friendship & Consistency
[22:00] Seasons Of Life & Friendship Depth (The Three Cs)
[30:13] The Tradition Of The Girls Weekend
[41:54] Technology, Mental Health, & Social Engagement