Editor’s Note: Annette Walker is president of City of Hope Orange County, which is investing about $1.5 billion on new facilities, including a cancer hospital scheduled to open in Irvine later this year.
Taylor Swift. Lucille Ball. Sheryl Sandberg. Each is an icon who has shaped American culture. Beyond their achievements, they share something else in common: they used their platforms to lift others up.
Swift executed a flawless act of sponsorship at the 2024 Grammys when she pulled fellow musician Lana Del Rey onstage, sharing the spotlight.
Ball opened doors for Carol Burnett. Sandberg championed Marne Levine, helping her rise to become the chief operating officer of Instagram.
Their actions remind us that true leadership is not just about personal success – it’s about ensuring others succeed, too. Even in industries far from entertainment or tech, the power of sponsorship is being realized. Sponsorship isn’t just about mentorship – yes, it can be about giving advice and being an example – it is much more.
It’s about actively advocating for someone, putting their name in rooms they aren’t in and don’t have access to, and unlocking doors they might not be able to open alone.
Sponsorship is one of the most powerful ways to help our future leaders excel. According to PayScale Human Capital research, 66% of executives report having a sponsor. And the impact is felt beyond the c-suite – entry-level workers with sponsors are 167% more likely to receive a stretch assignment, according to economist Sylvia Ann Hewlett.
We are fortunate to have leaders in our own backyard who embody this mindset. People like Mike Mussallem, former chief executive of Edwards Lifesciences, Julie Hill, board member at Lord Abbett, Kim Letch, U.S. West Region Private Equity Leader at Ernst & Young, Brie Olson, CEO of Pacsun, and Jennifer Friend, CEO of Project Hope Alliance — all are extraordinary examples of people who are not just leading but actively creating pathways for the next generation.
A Treasure Trove of Advice
Orange County also has a wealth of retired executives with a treasure trove of experience and advice. They’re not just leading — they’re ensuring others rise alongside them. I know firsthand the power of sponsorship.
I have always believed that people should have the power to chart their own paths, whether that means leading companies, caring for families at home, or balancing both. When I desired opportunities to advance in my own career, I was fortunate to have the support of Steve Geidt, former CEO of Saddleback Memorial.
I was 36 years old, a mid-management director and I wanted to pursue my master’s degree. Steve took a chance on me. He didn’t just encourage me. He advocated for me. That step changed the trajectory of my career. It opened up a whole new world of possibilities.
Deborah Proctor, former CEO of St. Joseph Health, played an enormous role in shaping my leadership philosophy. She helped me see that the very best leaders don’t just manage; they love the people they lead. They care deeply, invest in others and sometimes even sacrifice to help someone else rise.
You are never too old for sponsorship. Here, in the fourth decade of my career, I am benefiting from the sponsorship of Robert Stone, CEO of City of Hope. I can assure you that City of Hope OC would not be where it is today without his sponsorship.
Yes, sponsorship can be a risk. It means carrying someone’s name into boardrooms and decision-making spaces. It’s standing up and saying, “This is the person for the job.”
It’s the business equivalent of pulling someone on stage and making sure the spotlight finds them, rather than keeping it to yourself.
A Master at Mentoring
Jim Doti, professor and president emeritus of Chapman University, is one of the local leaders who does this masterfully. He doesn’t just mentor, he champions people.
Sponsorship requires discernment. You must believe in someone so much that you’re willing to put your reputation on the line to vouch for them.
That doesn’t mean the person must be perfect—but it does mean that as a sponsor, you commit to helping them grow, to guiding them and making sure they’re prepared for the opportunities ahead. Sponsorship isn’t just about lifting someone up; it’s about making sure they’re ready and seen when the moment comes.
Likewise, sponsees have a role to play. No one can carry you forward if you’re not putting in the work. If someone invests in you, you must pursue growth, seek feedback, embrace challenges and follow through. Sponsorship is a two-way street. As with anything in life, you will get out of it what you put in.
If sponsorship isn’t possible due to time or other constraints, mentorship is another invaluable way to make a difference. Anyone—at any level—can be a mentor. Senior leaders, peers and even junior employees offering “reverse mentorship” can all contribute to shaping the next generation of leaders.
Here in Orange County, we have organizations that make mentorship easy. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire, led by CEO Sloane Keane, launched a “100 Mentors in 100 Days” campaign—and the response was overwhelming. Cristo Rey Orange County High School students are mentored by many leaders across the county and the CEO Leadership Alliance of Orange County internship and fellowship programs are growing the future leaders of OC.
If you are in a position of influence, now is the time to start mentoring or sponsoring.
