Connections matter — especially for students figuring out their next step. Mentorship opens doors, creates opportunities, and strengthens the bonds between students and alumni. Whether offering advice, sharing industry insight, or helping secure an internship, Lehigh alumni consistently give their time and expertise to support students along the way.
At Lehigh, this spirit of mentorship comes to life through a wide range of formal and informal programs across campus. We spoke with several alumni involved in these efforts to learn how mentorship is shaping students’ paths and strengthening the Lehigh community.
Vice President, MedTech SupplyChain Digital, Johnson & Johnson
Julian’s philosophy is simple: Become the person you wish you had when you were younger. As a first-generation college student born in Trinidad, navigating college — and later the corporate world — came with its own set of obstacles. Julian persevered, and today, as an active alumna involved in College of Business mentorship, her goal is to bring others with her as she rises.
She emphasizes the idea of PIE: performance, image, and exposure. While job seekers often assume performance matters most, Julian challenges that notion, noting that exposure accounts for as much as 60% of why someone lands a position. Whom you know, your network, and your mentors often become the driving force behind opportunity.
“It’s authentic mentorship,” Julian says. “There’s no hierarchy. I check my title at the door. I come to you with experience. I’ve failed and I’ve learned from it, and you can benefit from that. You can ask me any question you want, even the ones you’re afraid to say out loud. Authentic leadership means we tear all those walls down. I’ll tell you what you want to know.”
Most recently, Julian helped Aminah Baruwa’27 secure an internship.
“I always tell people someone greater than me is coming,” she says. “And if I can help them get there, I’ll pull them up with me.”
Compliance and Data Privacy Counsel, HomeServe USA
“We all have an idea of what lawyers do and what law school looks like, but students don’t always understand their options or have access to lawyers they can speak to,” says Moquet. “I try to provide mentorship with that viewpoint and give students an honest assessment of what awaits them after graduation and in law school.”
When Moquet was a student, Lehigh did not have a pre-law society. After speaking on a Lehigh Lawyers panel in November 2025, he saw firsthand how interest has grown, evidenced by a packed room of attendees. He’s eager to nurture that momentum through speaking engagements, individualized mentorship, or something as simple as a LinkedIn connection — a tool he stresses is essential for building relationships and opening doors.
“The Lehigh alumni network is a family, and that’s powerful,” he says. “There’s no Lehigh graduate or student I wouldn’t make time for. My fellow Lehigh lawyers feel the same way. There’s nothing more rewarding than mentoring a student toward their goal.”
Structured Credit Sales, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Richards has experienced mentorship from both sides at Lehigh. When the finance mentorship program launched in 2019, she joined and was paired with Paul Knollmeyer '87.
Knollmeyer proved to be a valuable resource, particularly when Richards was considering a career pivot. She knew she wanted to change roles within finance but felt overwhelmed by the options. Her mentor talked her through different paths and offered to connect her with others in the industry.
When Richards got her current role, Knollmeyer was thrilled — a testament not only to successful mentorship, but to the genuine relationship they built along the way.
Now, Richards is paired with new finance mentees each year. While her mentor has stayed consistent, her mentees change year over year.
“The further I get in my career, the more rewarding mentorship feels,” she says. “I remember how overwhelming those early decisions can be, and now I’m in a place where I can help others make sense of it all.”
“Mentorship doesn’t have to be overly formal,” she adds. “It works best when both people are genuinely invested, and that’s something I’ve consistently felt throughout the Lehigh community.”
Senior Research Associate, Jefferies
For Healey, involvement with the Wall Street Council came at exactly the right time. After serving on a young alumni panel, he connected with an alum who became a mentor — one who later recommended him for a role. Healey has been mentored by that alum ever since.
The experience made a lasting impact. Since July 2024, Healey has served on the board of the Wall Street Council.
“Lehigh really is a family,” he says. “I’ve helped alumni get jobs, and alumni have helped me. It’s something special.”
Healey doesn’t receive formal mentee assignments, but mentorship happens organically. His advice to students is simple: Put yourself out there.
“Networking doesn’t mean asking for a job — it means building relationships,” he says. “Every alum has been where you are. People want to help if you’re willing to put in the effort.”
He also emphasizes that students don’t need to have everything figured out. “That’s the point of mentorship,” he says. “It’s having someone who can offer perspective while you figure out what’s next.”
Co-founder, Nephron Research
“There are few things more powerful than networking and mentorship,” says Raskin. “It’s hard to figure out the world on your own. Strong alumni connections make a real difference. I don’t know any Lehigh alum who wouldn’t pick up the phone for a Lehigh student or fellow alum and try to help.”
Raskin views health care through a business lens, an angle that has deepened his interest in the complexities of the U.S. health care system. When Lehigh launched the College of Health, he saw an opportunity to support students entering an evolving and nuanced field.
Since then, Raskin has become a consistent presence for students. He has guest lectured, met with students, reviewed resumes, offered career advice, and hired several Lehigh alums. His approach to mentorship is grounded in accessibility and responsiveness, meeting students wherever they are in their journey.
“I’m always willing to help students. If they need me, I’m there,” he says. “Sometimes it’s big-picture advice, sometimes it’s a quick conversation. But those moments can make all the difference.”
Founding Executive Director, Water Collaborative Delivery Association, and Former Senior Vice President, CH2M Hill
Alpert has been involved with Soaring Together for more than a decade, and it’s a program that’s close to his heart.
“My philosophy in life is the three Gs: great family, great friends, and giving back to others,” he says. “I’m passionate about giving back, and I know these students will be leaders in their respective industries. If I can help them find their path, I’ve done my part.”
Alpert is hands-on in the mentorship program, sharing meals with students, offering advice, and providing a listening ear. Having benefitted from mentors and sponsors himself, he understands the power of connection.
“I’ve been very fortunate, and I don’t take that for granted,” he says. “I had to learn what it meant to be a leader, and I needed help figuring that out. My mentors helped me navigate decisions and build confidence. They taught me a lot, and now I want to do that for others.”
Global Real Estate, Verizon
“I became involved with the real estate mentorship program because Lehigh played such an important role in shaping my career,” says Diana. “I wanted to give back in a meaningful way.”
Diana recently spent two weeks in Milan with real estate students, guiding them through site tours, providing real-time industry insight, and mentoring them throughout the experience. Beyond travel opportunities, she maintains regular check-ins with mentees, reviews resumes, helps prepare students for interviews, and attends student events in New York City.
She has also served as a practicum judge for more than five years and participated in a fireside chat with Lehigh Valley Commercial Real Estate Women, helping students connect classroom learning with real-world application.
“Mentorship means showing up consistently,” she says. “It’s sharing both wins and lessons learned, helping someone navigate decisions with clarity and confidence, and opening doors when possible. To me, it’s about paying forward the support I received earlier in my career by investing in the next generation and helping them see what’s possible.”
