The Ripple Effect: How Mentorship Transforms Lives
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When I was six years old, my father left our family. I was the youngest of four kids, and suddenly my mom — with only a high school diploma, no job, and no child support — was faced with raising four children alone.
A year later, Coach Weir recognized I was a kid who needed direction and introduced me to wrestling. He drove me to tournaments up and down the East Coast, pushed me academically, and encouraged me to make good choices. Wrestling eventually took me to Rutgers University, where I competed at the Division I level and became team captain.
But Coach Weir’s greatest gift wasn't wrestling. He gave me an opportunity and showed me what happens when someone invests in another person.
“Culture is our operating system”
Wrestling taught me that success comes from fundamentals practiced consistently: Preparation, accountability, resilience, integrity, and continuous improvement.
Those lessons followed me to Cisco, where I lead the global team responsible for our Wells Fargo relationship.
We've learned that great doesn’t happen by accident. Culture is our operating system.
Our team follows 33 fundamentals called The Cisco/Wells Fargo Way. Each week, a teammate from somewhere around the globe shares their personal story and what that week's fundamental means to them.
Suddenly, a colleague thousands of miles away becomes more than a name on a Webex screen. We build trust, understand one another, and become more invested in each other’s success.
We share these stories with Wells Fargo colleagues, too. What started as an internal initiative has become part of how we strengthen customer relationships and differentiate ourselves as a partner.
That same philosophy lives at C2X
In 2014, two partners and I opened C2X — Commitment 2 Excellence Wrestling Academy — in a 2,400-square-foot warehouse in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Like Cisco, we've made culture intentional. Our 24 fundamentals, The C2X Way, include: Listen Generously, Walk in Others' Shoes, Assume Positive Intent, and Practice Blameless Problem-Solving.
Today, C2X is a nonprofit where 10 former collegiate wrestlers coach and mentor more than 200 young people annually. Beyond wrestling, we provide academic support, college recruiting guidance, mentorship, and scholarships for families in need.
The impact goes far beyond the wrestling mat.
Two former wrestlers dreamed of becoming firefighters. We connected them with a C2X family member who leads Charlotte Fire Academy. Today, both serve their communities as firefighters.
Another graduated from the University of Virginia after we helped negotiate $250,000 in wrestling scholarship support. He’s now preparing for medical school.
And two young men who attended our first practice in 2014 returned after successful Division I wrestling careers. Today, they’re C2X coaches, investing in the next generation.
The ripple effect
We're now preparing to open a state-of-the-art facility, expanding our reach to approximately 350 young people annually. I'm especially proud that Cisco will support this next chapter with technology to help our athletes train, study, learn, and thrive. CX2 has also been accepted into Benevity, Cisco’s matching gift program.
When I walk into C2X, I think about looking into the stands and always finding my mom. And I remember Coach Weir making room in his car for one more kid.
Neither could have imagined where those sacrifices and acts of kindness would lead. But I see it now.
It’s the culture I strive to create at C2X and the culture we've built with our Cisco/Wells Fargo team: Give someone an opportunity. Believe in them. Help them become more than they thought they could be.
Then, watch the ripple effect continue.
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