The Value of Mentorship In this issue, we hear from a selection of past mentors in the Silhouette Awards programme, who share their thoughts on the importance and value of such mentor-mentee relationships. SILHOUETTE AWARDS
The mentors play an integral role in the esteemed Silhouette Awards initiative. Covering all corners of the globe, these hugely experienced and wellrespected designers are not only responsible for selecting the 20 winning mentees for each year’s programme, but they also participate in a sixmonth mentorship programme with their paired mentees. Mentors team up with a chosen mentee to share their knowledge and experience, helping to support rising talent in the lighting industry and create a supportive platform for inspiration and growth. Over three years of the Silhouette Awards, there have now been 60 mentor-mentee pairings who have worked together to grow their careers. We asked Silhouette mentors from all three years to discuss what mentoring means to them and why they believe that mentorship is so important. Chip Israel, a year three mentor, said: “It’s because it is the right thing to do. We need to teach the next generation in lighting to “see.” My mentee Anne is great and talented, and it has been wonderful to learn about her and her journey. We meet every two weeks to discuss life, management styles and even her upcoming presentations, all focused on building her confidence to equal her expertise.” In the dynamic world of lighting design, mentorship is an incredible opportunity to nurture talent and foster innovation. Through the Silhouette Awards, mentors stand as pillars of support, who have the ability to shape the future of the lighting industry through their wealth of experience and expertise. Beata Denton, a mentor from year one said: “One shouldn’t ever underestimate the importance of sharing or asking for advice. It’s vital for a rewarding and successful career. Learn that early on and you will never feel alone; you will be braver and find more joy in your career. The world gets both bigger and smaller when one is part of this mentorship programme.” Spanning geographically across continents, the mentors play a pivotal role in a transformative 114 / 115
six-month mentorship journey with their mentees. These partnerships extend far beyond mere guidance; it’s a symbiotic relationship aimed at propelling emerging talent to new heights. Rachel Fitzgerald, a dedicated mentor from this year’s programme, tells us what it means to her to be involved: “Mentorship for me holds such significance: it fosters a powerful exchange of knowledge, creating a communal space for growth and development that benefits both the mentor and the mentee. The very essence of mentorship lies in the profound exchange of knowledge and wisdom. Mentors, with their seasoned insight, can collaborate closely with their mentees, imparting invaluable lessons gleaned from years of practice. This is showcased by Arianna Ghezzi, as she reflects on her collaboration last year with her mentee: “We set a goal for the mentorship, which was entering the LIT Lighting Design Awards and it was a great achievement for Jess to win in her category! I could not be more proud of her incredible achievement and this wonderful mentorship journey where we have grown together side by side.” We also asked mentors to reflect on some standout moments that they have had with their mentee that showcase why mentorship is so crucial. Neha Sivaprasad, a supportive year three mentor, said: “One standout moment during our interaction was when I shared with my mentee my own apprehensions about starting my own practice, despite several years of industry experience. We delved into how I overcame those fears and how I leveraged my accumulated experience to tackle challenges. It was enlightening to realise that, despite our different career stages, we shared similar feelings. Expressing how I overcame my challenges not only helped me articulate my achievements but also uplifted me and provided hope and reassurance for my mentee. Siddharth Mathur, a year two mentor, continues: “My mentee had primary experience working as a decorative lighting designer, which was very different to my experience of architectural lighting