mentor profile

MARK D SYLVESTER

Creative Director, Interrobang Design
Richmond, Vermont, USA
2011 GTL: Jennifer Smith/Mayibuye

Mark Sylvester is Creative Director and Co-Owner of Interrobang Design Collaborative, Inc., a graphic design studio located in Richmond, VT, which he runs with his wife and partner of 23+ years, Lisa Taft Sylvester. Interrobang provides brand strategy and develops identity, packaging, print and web communications for businesses and organizations.

How did you get involved with Three Dot Dash?

I went to High School with Nancy Hunt. We reconnected via Facebook, and I found myself drawn to the 3DD story, and the work the We Are Family Foundation and 3DD were doing.

What skills do you hope to bring from your profession/expertise to the Mentoring role?

For me, being a mentor is about listening, sorting out thoughts, listening, asking What if?, listening, supporting new ideas with enthusiasm and constructive criticism, and listening. I'm not there to do the work for the GTL, but to guide, support, think, and discuss; to be a home base for whatever they might need to discuss at the time.

Do you have a Mentor and how did they impact your life?

I don't, but not for lack of looking for one... I have great friends who act as occasional mini-mentors.

Why is Mentoring so important and what inspired you to get involved?

I spend most of my days focused on what is in front of me; my family, my business, our town, community and schools. Its very easy to not look past my own field of vision to relate to the bigger world, especially in a small state like Vermont. I know the feeling I have when I see my son perform with his band, the look on my daughter's faces after a dance recital, or particularly well received school project. Watching young people grow and succeed is addictive and contagious. Its a good feeling to know I had a hand in that success.

What was your experience like at the Just Peace Summit?

Eye-opening. Inspiring. So many strangers becoming friends so quickly for so many causes in so many places. When I describe it to people, they're shocked we were only together for 9 or 10 hours.

What are you and your GTL working on together?

Most of our communication has been in regard to prepping Jennifer to spearheading a possible renaming for the Mayibuye program. I've provided her with some materials we use in the studio for similar projects so she has a frame work for her project.

What is the goal this year to accomplish with your GTL?

Jennifer's primary goal was to generate funds to pay some current staff enough of a salary to allow Mayibuye to be their only job, thus giving them more time to focus on the program. Additionally, we have discussed the need for a new name for the program that is more cross-cultural and communicative.

What tools, resources or connections does your GTL need to help further their project?

Mayibuye is in need of fundraising sources, local dance instructor volunteers on two continents, and web design support. Jennifer has also been working on finding an Australian celebrity to adopt the Mayibuye program, and act as their spokesperson.

What are 3 top qualities in a Mentor?

Listening, asking What if? and supporting whatever decision my GTL makes so her project can move forward.

What are your hobbies and passions?

Free time is scarce between running the business, keeping up with the kids and maintaining our home. The latter has caused me to become quite an accomplished handyman, and woodworker. Aside from staying current with my profession, I have particular interests in industrial, architectural and furniture design and all aspects of digital technology, especially regarding communication.

threedotdash.org
wearefamilyfoundation.org