I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I knew it would be an opportunity to learn from someone with experience, but I never anticipated just how meaningful the journey would become. What I found was far more than professional guidance—I found mentors who reminded me to value the person behind the career.
Although I haven’t been able to attend every Roots & Wings event, I have been fortunate to continue meeting with my mentor, Alison van Niekerk, outside of the formal programme. Those conversations have become the most valuable part of my mentorship journey and have shown me that mentorship is not measured by attendance, but by the genuine support, encouragement, and connection that develops over time.
From our very first conversation, Alison created a safe space where I felt comfortable being open—not only about my career aspirations, but also about life’s challenges. There have been times when I have felt as though I was running on empty, and she has consistently met those moments with kindness, wisdom, and encouragement. One of the most valuable lessons she has shared with me is that it is okay to prioritise yourself—that your wellbeing and self-care should never be overlooked. That simple yet powerful reminder has had a lasting impact on both my personal and professional life.
This journey has also reminded me that mentorship does not always begin with a formal programme. Long before joining Roots & Wings, I was fortunate to have a Claims Manager who became my very first mentor. Lily Theron believed in my potential, encouraged me to keep learning, challenged me to grow, and helped lay the foundation for the professional I am today. Her guidance, trust, and willingness to invest in my development have had a lasting influence on my career, and I continue to benefit from her mentorship today.
The Roots & Wings Mentorship Programme has reinforced that mentorship is about so much more than career development. It is about having people who believe in you, encourage you to reach your potential, challenge you to become better, celebrate your successes, and remind you to show yourself the same compassion that you extend to others.
Those are lessons that will remain with me throughout my career.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the organisers of the Roots & Wings Mentorship Programme for creating an initiative that invests in people and fosters meaningful, lasting connections.
A special thank you to Alison van Niekerk for your compassion, patience, wisdom, and unwavering encouragement. Thank you for reminding me that success is not only measured by achievements, but also by taking care of myself along the way.
To Lily Theron, thank you for believing in me from the very beginning. Thank you for seeing my potential before I fully recognised it myself, for continually encouraging me to grow, and for being both my first mentor and an ongoing source of guidance and inspiration. Your leadership and support have shaped the person and professional I am today, and I am deeply grateful for the role you have played in my journey.
Growth is rarely a straight path, but every experience, every challenge, and every conversation contributes to the journey.
I am grateful that Roots & Wings has become part of mine, and I hope that one day I will have the opportunity to pay forward the same kindness, guidance, and encouragement that have been so generously given to me.
Tegan Santry
Roots and Wings | Mentee – Insurance Institute of Gauteng
Claims Administrator – HIC Underwriting Managers
