Mentoring Spotlight: Dana Allender's Journey with Alloy
Years of Mentoring Experience
Dana Allender has been mentoring founders for nearly eight years and joined Alloy just over a year ago. His experience includes mentoring at the Fintech71 accelerator in Columbus, the Bounce Innovation Hub in Akron, and with JumpStart and the University of Akron Research Foundation ICorps program.
The Inspiration Behind Mentoring
Dana’s passion for mentoring began in 4th grade when his YMCA football coach, a young man out of college, coached to “give back.” This act of generosity left a lasting impression on Dana, inspiring him to do the same. After college, he coached youth basketball and football at his local YMCA. This passion continued into his professional life. Dana believes in being a "life-long learner" and staying updated in tech. Mentoring allows him to share his experiences and talents, creating a win-win situation for both him and the founders he mentors.
The Joy of Mentoring
Dana loves witnessing the "aha" moments founders have during sessions and one-on-one interactions. Seeing them execute on something they’ve been working on is incredibly fulfilling – those are the "mentor wins" every mentor cherishes. Additionally, the friendships Dana has developed with founders and other mentors are invaluable. As a founder himself, Dana understands the hard work involved, and having a supportive community is crucial. Morning mentoring has expanded his network across the state and country.
A Memorable Morning Mentoring Experience
Dana recalls that the founder pitches are fantastic for learning how to pitch effectively. The "dolphin tank" environment provides a safe space for learning. However, his most memorable moment was when Jeremy had to leave because his wife was going into labor. Jeremy's dedication to kicking off the program that morning was truly appreciated.
What Sets Morning Mentoring Apart
Dana believes Morning Mentoring stands out due to its structure, incredible depth of experience, open dialogue, and the reach of mentors across the country. Everyone’s willingness to listen, learn, and share is remarkable. The mentors bring their skills and passions to the table, making each session valuable and never just a box-ticking exercise.
Testimonial
Dana is grateful for the opportunity to work with founders and mentors from all over the country. He states, "The community created and nurtured by the team at Alloy is second to none! Fantastic structure, incredible founders, and super knowledgeable mentors from all walks of life who are generous with their time and expertise. I love being part of it!"