Post by Carmen Mahon M.ED

From Nonprofit, School Counselor to Citywide STEM Initiatives Manager… sometimes you just have to say it out loud. Today at the AWS Imagine Conference, this AI-generated image couldn’t be a better reflection of my journey. As I reflect on my professional path, from supporting students as a school counselor to now managing citywide STEM initiatives and serving on multiple work groups and advisory boards, I’m reminded of the guiding “North Stars” that have shaped me. Working in nonprofit taught me some of my most valuable lessons: you become a natural doer, you understand that some things simply have to be done—not because it’s easy or comfortable, but because the impact matters, and you carry the reality that your work has the power to change lives, so you push forward no matter what. That experience shaped my work ethic and mindset: I’m not afraid to fail. I’m not even afraid to succeed. I just know the work has to get done… and that it matters. Whether in schools, nonprofits, or now leading citywide initiatives, that same drive remains at my core. Some industries may not always have people who push forward with that urgency, but I know who I am: a doer, a builder, a connector, and someone who gets things done. Here’s to continuing the work and making things happen…for students, families, and communities. #AWSImagine #STEMEducation #Leadership #NonprofitRoots #DoersGetItDone #MakingImpact