At BOA Technology Inc., the spirit of community service runs deep, with a particular focus on empowering the next generation. This commitment shines through their partnership with the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF), where BOA employees, like Human Resources Manager – Compensation & Benefits Kayla McAuliffe, take on pivotal mentorship roles that help shape the future of college students in the Denver area.
Kayla McAuliffe first learned about DSF when her colleague Elissa sent her the mentor application, sparking her interest in the program. “I started reading about it and learning through that process,” Kayla recalls. Her journey as a mentor began in the 2022-2023 school year and has since continued, with Kayla mentoring students who share her interests in human resources and business.
According to Kayla, one of the strengths of the DSF mentorship program is the thoughtful pairing of students with mentors. “The Denver Scholarship Foundation has done a wonderful job of pairing students with mentors that make sense,” she notes. Kayla appreciates how the foundation matches students’ career interests with professionals who can provide meaningful guidance. For instance, Kayla’s mentees have been interested in human resources or business, aligning perfectly with her expertise on the human resources team at BOA.
BOA’s culture of giving back to the community aligns closely with DSF’s mission. Kayla emphasizes that both organizations share a commitment to empowering others and being good stewards of the community. “It’s about making a direct impact. When you’re one-on-one with a mentee, you have the opportunity to really make an impact in one person’s life, which ultimately ripples into the community,” Kayla explains.
For Kayla, the mentorship experience has been personally rewarding. Having majored in human development and family studies, she finds a natural link to her work in human resources and a passion for helping others. Her background in education and previous volunteer work, such as tutoring with Reading Partners, made the transition to mentoring college students a seamless one. She describes the experience as “fun” and “fulfilling,” allowing her to revisit a time of endless possibilities through the eyes of her mentees.
The mentorship program is not just about guiding students through their academic and early career stages; it also offers employees like Kayla the chance to share their professional knowledge and life skills. For example, Kayla helped one of her mentees, Jennifer, improve her time management by introducing her to BOA’s LIFE management course. This tool proved instrumental in Jennifer’s personal growth, as she made significant progress in managing her time effectively.
Kayla’s dedication to her mentees continues beyond professional guidance. She also offers support through thoughtful gestures, like gifting graduation books that inspire and empower women in the workforce. These small acts have a lasting impact, as seen when one of her mentees referred to the book during a workplace conversation, recognizing its relevance to her own career journey.
In essence, BOA Technology Inc.’s partnership with the Denver Scholarship Foundation exemplifies the profound impact that corporate support and individual mentorship can have on students’ lives. As Kayla continues to guide her mentees, the ripple effects of her mentorship will undoubtedly continue to spread, enriching both the lives of the students she mentors and the broader Denver community.
