I’ve also been lucky to have mentors, even when I didn’t know that’s what they were! Some were official — bosses, coaches, advisors. Others were quieter — a conversation at the right time, a book someone handed me, a piece of advice I didn’t understand until years later.
Now, a few decades into this journey, I think a lot about what it means to pass things on. I don’t have all the answers. But I do know this... mentorship matters! Not because one person has it all figured out, but because we’re not meant to go it alone.
Read this when you’re thinking about how ambition shapes life. It’s a study in discipline, drive, and the trade-offs that come.
Read this when you’re thinking small. It’ll challenge you to lead with purpose — and build something that outlasts you.
Read this when things get hard. It will not sugarcoat the struggle, but it will help you see it as the way forward.
Read this when you’re spread too thin. It’ll remind you that doing less — on purpose — is sometimes the boldest move.
Read this when you’re stuck, stalling, or second-guessing. It’ll call your bluff — and get you back to work.
Read this when you need proof that doing good and doing business can go hand in hand. It’s part memoir, part manifesto — and all heart.
When I started seeking out rising stars to be my fellow, my goal was simple", my goal was simple: create opportunities for young talent to sit at tables they wouldn’t normally be invited to. What I didn’t expect was how much I would learn in return.
At 66 years old, I think my story is probably about 7000 days away from being over. Life moves fast. No matter where you are in life, whether you’re just starting out, halfway through, or well down the road, you’re still writing your story. Every day, every choice, every relationship is a part of the story. I have about 7000 days left to write mine.
Deanna Kuhlmann-Leavitt was a big part of shaping Clayco’s brand. She’s always been a designer—and now she’s starting something new with her husband, Rob Leavitt: Pershing Works, Inc. while continuing to lead Kuhlmann Leavitt, Inc., their design studio in St. Louis.
Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Missouri S&T