Women of Power: Most Powerful Corporate Women Talk the Value of Mentorship

Freda Lewis-Hall, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President at Pfizer Medical:

“I think mentorship is absolutely essential,” says Lewis-Hall, while pointing out that career mentors, coaches and champions are not the same thing. “Mentors, I think, are people who learn you intimately. They kind of understand what your values are and who you are as a person. They understand your strength and are willing to look for and describe to you where they think your opportunities are for development. They’re the ones that I’ve had for years and tap into over time.”

She names Dr. LaSalle Leffall, Jr., whom she met while earning her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine, as someone who she turns to for advice.