Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/498400
through a different lens, you get more innovation. What I saw in Leslie was this incredible bright light who represents our future. She is open to new and interesting ideas, new and interesting people, and has a commit- ment to diversity and equality. I have long-standing relationships with a young African American woman and a Latino woman who share the same core values as Leslie, and I wanted to put them together to learn from each other and their different cultures and see how much they have in common. LF: Carol started bringing us to meetings in her home a few times a year to ask what direction we thought we were heading. They are now some of my closest friends. CF: And Leslie brought them into the New Frontier Network, so now everyone benefits. LF: Carol encourages me to take risks. At one point she said, "Leslie, I know you once mentioned the Kennedy School, and I think you should apply." I had some ambivalence and I pushed back a little bit, but Carol would not have it. It ended up being one of the best experiences of my life. CF: Mentoring should not be forced. I think more young individuals should take to the route that Leslie took, which is to look and find someone you might admire and have the courage to go up to them and ask to meet. LF: I thought she would be a wonder- ful person to learn from. CF: We're doing what we're supposed to be doing. Leslie is supposed to be figuring out who might have informa- tion and lessons she might need to know. And I'm supposed to be taking time for the next generation and ensure I put people of difference together to lead this world. Because they're going to do a far better job than you and I. Top, Helmut Lang ($335). Saks Fifth Avenue, The Shops at Prudential Center, 617-262-8500; saks.com. Pants, Burberry ($895). 2 Newbury St., 617-236-1000; burberry.com. 14k white-gold Crisscross ring, Sidney Thomas Jewelers ($1,295). The Mall at Chestnut Hill, 617-965-5300; sidneythomas.com. Spiral mini ring, Swarovski ($125). The Shops at Prudential Center, 617-578-0705; swarovski.com bostoncommon-magazine.com 107