Paired for their common interest in project management, Bruce F. Evans and Beth Whitfield are an example of long-distance success with the Dalhousie Mentorship Program.

Bruce F. Evans, Mentor

Bruce earned both a Master’s of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University. With over 30 years’ experience in the commercial real estate finance industry, he is the Executive Vice President at Lucent Capital in California. Day-to-day he is engaged in transaction sourcing, structuring and execution of debt and equity financing. A native of Atlantic Canada, Mr. Evans has developed a strong network in the Halifax business community. Interested in helping young professionals in their career development, this is Bruce’s third year with the mentorship program where he was paired with Beth Whitfield.

Beth Whitfield, Young Professional

Dynamic, committed and goal-oriented, Beth is in her first year of Dalhousie University’s Corporate Residency MBA program. Her interest in project management and motivating others has led her to accept an internship at Rogers Communications. With a background in biology, Beth has found the mentorship program a wonderful opportunity to learn about the subtleties of business and obtain candid career advice.

 

Rebecca Rebello interviewed Bruce and Beth:

Q: Bruce, how would you describe your time at Dalhousie University and what have you been doing since you graduated?

Bruce: During my time at Dalhousie I was pretty active in student life, especially in student politics. In my career, I’ve been fortunate to be able to work for several international organizations. Through my work I’ve opened and grown the commercial real estate financing units for Credit Lyonnais and Macquarie Bank Limited.

Q: Beth, tell us about your time at Dalhousie, the degree you are taking and when you are graduating.

Beth: I started in the MBA program in July and plan on graduating in 2014. Ifinished a degree in honours biology and then went straight into my MBA two months later. It’s been challenging and exciting.

Q: Bruce, you were an alumni mentor in the mentoring program this year with the Rowe School of Business. Tell me about your experience with the program.

Bruce: It has been a very positive experience. I’ve had three victims so far and learned that the mentor gains almost as much from the relationship. It’s a great program because you are put together with people with limited experience. I’ve found that later in your career you can get stuck in your ways. This program offers mentors the ability to interact with a younger energy, a different framework and different perspective. Mentors can learn a lot.

Q: Beth, what was your experience like?

Beth: I wasn’t sure what to expect and I was a little nervous. I come from a background in science, as does most of my family. This was my first time connecting with someone in the business world. It was great to talk to someone on the other side of their career, someone with an outside perspective and an understanding of business. There’s so much to know when you get started.

Q: Bruce, you’re in Los Angeles while Beth is in Halifax. How did you ‘meet’?

Bruce: We met once or twice a month via phone. We also e-mailed back and forth.

Beth: Yes, I’ve talked with Bruce on the phone and sent him more e-mails than I can count. I’ll get to meet him in December when he’s coming to Halifax. This is very exciting.

Q: Bruce, in which areas were you able to provide support to your student mentee?

Bruce: I see myself not as someone who says, ‘do this, do that’, but as someone who gives gentle direction, some assistance. I’ve mostly been able to provide support through networking suggestions. I’ve helped her with quite a few names of people she should get out and see. We’ve also had some discussions on strategy and tactics for interviews.

Beth: From a career perspective I’ve expanded my network to people I would never have otherwise had the opportunity to speak with. Bruce can’t be here, but he has introduced me to many of his connections. It’s good that I have someone I can go back to and get advice, especially for my first real corporate job. I can discuss ideas and strategy with him.

Q: What have you learned?

Bruce: Beth is an absolute hoot. This is really a reciprocal relationship that builds a bridge across two generations. It allows for different concepts and ideas. I’m towards the end of my career – it helps me keep in touch with different attitudes and fields of study. It’s allowed me to be in contact with great people and it’s nice to help other people.

Beth: The biggest thing for me was the support I had. I had someone there who believed that I had a good head on my shoulders and believed that I could do it, someone who listened to all the silly little questions I had.

Q: Any thoughts that you would like to leave us with?

Beth: Getting connected with the alumni of Dalhousie is something you might not be able to do at other schools. I’ve been able to connect more than I ever thought I would. This program has defined my experience with Dalhousie. It’s an added bonus that I’ve been able to leverage and make the most of. I’m very happy I have such a great mentor.

Bruce: This is a great program. It’s work on both sides and people really get out of it what they put in. Enjoyed the heck out of it. It gets the Dalhousie spirit a little more out front and a little more buoyant. It allows students and alumni the opportunity to make connections that will last a long time. Whether it’s the excitement of Tigers Football (Bruce is an original Founders Club member) or the quieter aspects of school spirit, it gets people geared up for Dal.

Q: Beth, what was the best piece of advice your mentor had for you?

Beth: “Be polite, listen a lot, but keep your eye on the prize. My gut tells me you’ll do great.” I know I’ve made a friend, even though we have yet to meet in person.

 

Since this piece was written, Bruce and Beth met in Halifax and tell me it was a great treat. Theirs is just one of the stories that make the Dalhousie Mentorship Program a success.