Green Light Mentoring program reflections with Lisa Forsyth

It offers virtual workshops designed to address challenges women often face in advancing their careers.

The Green Light Mentoring program was the next step, designed for Green Light graduates. It builds on the program’s foundations and helps embed key learnings through deeper one-on-one support.

Mentors are business leaders within Custom Fleet – male or female – who are willing to commit to the process of supporting women in our business to level up their professional skill set.

And what is ElevateHER?

ElevateHER is the women’s workstream of our Intersection team, with a focus on gender equality initiatives for women in our business.

It’s an internal volunteering opportunity for anyone who wants to become an activist for making Custom Fleet an even better place to work.

ElevateHER member Madhu Chakraborty sat down with Lisa Forsyth to talk about her experience and the outcomes of her mentoring journey.

Tell us about your experience in the Green Light mentoring program

The mentoring program empowered me to have conversations about where I wanted my career to go by consolidating what I already knew about myself and giving me a clear and accelerated path forward.

I met with my mentor once a month over a six-month period. Each mentor/mentee partnership did what worked for them, but we all followed the same framework.

Do you believe it’s important to have clarity about your goals going in?

Yes, I think having some clarity is really valuable. You don’t need to have every detail planned out, but a clear theme or focus areas can really guide the experience.

For me, I wanted to uncover blind spots in my career. It wasn’t just about getting advice—I also wanted to build a strong connection with leadership and gain insights I wouldn’t normally have access to.

Because I had a clear idea of where I needed support and challenge, my mentor and I could create a purpose-driven relationship. That focus made the experience more meaningful for both of us.

That said, the program can still work well for people with broader goals. But personally, having defined objectives helped me stay on track and see how I was progressing.

Did you get to choose your mentor?

Not directly. We each shared our goals and what we were hoping to get out of the program, and the ElevateHER team matched us based on that information.

I was fortunate—the match was spot on. I was looking for someone who could challenge me, help me overcome self-limiting beliefs, and offer honest, constructive feedback. That’s exactly what I got.

My mentor wasn’t someone directly tied to my career path, which made their perspective even more valuable. They helped me see things I hadn’t noticed about myself and gave me the confidence to take the next step forward.

Every session was thoughtful and well-prepared, and the insights and resources they shared took our conversations to the next level. It truly exceeded my expectations.

What was your biggest turning point during the program?

It happened early on—after my first session with my mentor. I’d expressed a desire to engage in more targeted career conversations with my leader and one-up leader and to push myself into new challenges. I walked away from that session with a clear action plan: have the conversation.

And I did. That conversation set off a chain of events that led to fulfilling one of my core goals. I remember thinking, “Wow—I should’ve done this two years ago!”

Was your earlier hesitation holding you back? How did your mentor help?

Absolutely. He helped reframe my thinking. Instead of making a request, I presented a solution to a business need. That shift changed everything—I led with purpose, and the positive response confirmed I was ready.

So you approached it as: here’s how I can help, not what can I have

Exactly. That framing fast-tracked the outcome. I came in with five key focus areas.

Not all of them resulted in a big moment, but each challenged me and changed how I think.

I can relate. Many women hesitate to step up unless they feel 100% ready.

I wholeheartedly agree. There’s a common belief that if we just do great work, we’ll be recognised—but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, you have to speak up and actively lean in.

For me, that moment came when I finally asked, “Here’s what I want—what do I need to do?” The response was, “You’re already ready.” That was a turning point.

It was the first time in my career I really put myself out there, and it paid off.

In response, I was given the chance to grow within the safety of my current role, which led to expanded responsibilities, new challenges, and real professional development.

For me, the ongoing outcome is being challenged to grow every day—which means staying curious, continuing to learn, and having the courage to step up.

Have you seen any ripple effects from the program?

Great question. The fact that the mentoring stream is continuing—even without the core Green Light Program this year—shows its value. It’s becoming part of the ElevateHER culture.

Personally, it’s helped shape me as a leader. And I’ve seen others promoted, stepping into new roles, too. The impact is real.

Any advice for others thinking about it?

Do it. You don’t need all the answers. Just having someone to guide and challenge you is incredibly powerful. Sometimes you need to focus on your own growth—and that’s okay.

That’s a truly powerful message. What’s next for you, Lisa?

This year, I’m a mentor—which feels like a full-circle moment. There’s something beautiful about being supported and then passing that support on. That’s how we create a strong, sustainable leadership culture for women in our organisation.