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» VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM 91 Profiles in Mentorship 91 Michael Ruiz Director - Corporate Procurement, Fannie Mae Chairman of the American Mortgage Diversity Council A s I reflect upon the fact that I am older than I feel and that I have been an "adult" for longer than I care to admit, I cannot help but give thanks for the guidance and mentorship that I have received along the way to my current position with Fannie Mae. My journey has been neither smooth nor linear, given an inherent penchant for straying off of the beaten path. I have, however, been blessed with the attention of truly talented and capable individuals along the way to help me stay the course, which in turn has instilled in me a sense of obligation to freely provide what insight and guidance I possess to my team members and colleagues as requested and needed. For me, there is no discussion of mentorship that does not begin with my parents. Everything that I am, or profess to be, has its roots in their teachings. In listening to and observing my Father, I learned the true meaning of responsibility, focus, and commitment to both family and career. I remember him working two jobs to ensure that I could go to private schools and be the first in our immediate family to attend college (and Yale was not the worst place to end up). My Mother on the other hand, is the single most loving, caring, and gracious person that I have ever known. She mentored me in the ways of caring for those closest to and around you, putting your best foot forward, and persevering. For me, the combination of observation of and direct counsel that I received from my Parents laid the foundation for my educational, personal and professional achievements to date. Dad remains the most responsible person I have ever known and Mom by far has the most evolved matriarchal instincts I have ever seen. Without the direction, wisdom, and love that Frank and Aida Ruiz have provided to me, I would not be in a position to share my thoughts about mentorship and its impact. Many view mentorship as a purely professional exercise. I, however, believe that for mentorship to be successful there has to be a measure of emotion involved. If a mentor is not emotionally engaged in their relationship with a mentee, there is a risk of sterility in the outcome. In a related vein, a mentee has to be able to establish a connection with their prospective mentor. It is not enough to go after the "biggest fish"—you have to respect and connect with the person you seek guidance and wisdom from. Beyond my parents, I have had excellent mentors that have helped to shape my career. is first was a college professor. What I learned most from him was to believe—yes, I was a college student and yes, I was worthy. My professor quelled the whispers in my mind (whether based on ethnicity or socio-economics), affording me the focus and conviction that I was capable and that I had earned my place at Yale. e other mentors that I have had throughout my career have taught me several key lessons that have positively impacted my growth and development. A consistent thread throughout has been that success, regardless of how measured, has its roots in conviction and commitment. One has to be convinced of the ability to do the right thing to create a positive impact regardless of the endeavor. My career has been predicated upon making a difference in the world around me, specifically by directing resources to traditionally underserved communities. Without an unshakeable belief that there is value in doing so and an unwavering commitment to said belief, I would have never achieved success by any measure. We mentor because we have the obligation to make ourselves available to other people. Having benefitted from the attention and guidance of my mentors, it would be entirely selfish not to help those that reach out for similar assistance. For me, being a mentor to colleagues and peers is an extension of my commitment to enhancing the world around me, and is a source of deep personal gratification. "What I learned most from him was to believe – yes, I was a college student and yes, I was worthy."

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