Receiving the Trailblazer Award invited me to pause and reflect on something deeply personal: my career has been shaped by people who believed in me, often before I was ready to believe in myself. Mentorship has played a pivotal role in my path. At critical moments, mentors offered guidance, honesty, and encouragement, sometimes quietly, sometimes boldly. Their belief helped redirect my career, restore confidence during fragile seasons, and open doors when systems felt overwhelming. There are a few people at the heart of this truth.
My mom, “Chispita,” a teacher and a woman of quiet strength, taught me early on that education is power and that women’s resilience can move mountains. Her belief planted the first seed and continues to guide me.
Professor Robert H. Gilman, “Bobcito”, my oldest mentor and dear friend, helped me live into values I already carried. From him, I learned the importance of honesty, curiosity, humility, and how to lead with integrity while making space for others. He taught me to love my accent, to remember what I bring to the table, and (most importantly) to never sit at the table alone.
My sister, Monica, grounds me with her wisdom, strength, and unconditional love. She reminds me of who I am when I forget and keeps me steady through every season.
Mr. G. taught me that telling a story - and telling history properly - matters deeply, in science and in life. Accuracy, context, integrity, and honesty are priceless; they shape not only our work but how we understand one another and the world around us.
As I reflect on mentorship today, on a rainy Monday, I cannot forget to acknowledge Professor Carlton A. W. Evans, one of my longest friends, a coworker, and a lifelong accomplice. Alongside Bobcito, Carlton spent much of his postgraduate life working in Peru, guided by a deep sense of responsibility and clarity about where his knowledge and expertise were most needed. His respect for Peruvians, his love for our culture, and his commitment to serving the most neglected communities shaped not only my understanding of service, but also what it truly means to show up with purpose and humility.
I value mentorship because I have experienced its impact. I have seen how one person’s belief can push a career forward, rebuild confidence during vulnerable moments, and open up possibilities when paths feel limited or unclear. When we mention someone’s name in rooms where they are not present, mentorship quietly transforms into sponsorship: a sign of care, support, and collective responsibility.
That is the kind of leadership I strive to practice and extend to others. This is why mentorship sits at the center of my work with WWN: to honor those who came before me, to pay forward the grace I received, and to help create spaces where women feel seen, supported, and encouraged to lead, together!
Paula Maguina, WWN Co-Chair & Mentor