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Business predictions forecast 17 million new small businesses will be formed in the U.S. in 2022. That projection seems to be on track, judging by the record number of 84 new mentor requests that the Chapter received for January. To meet this surge of new clients, SCORE Lancaster-Lebanon is delighted to welcome talented and committed new volunteers with a desire to give back to their community through mentoring.
Bringing a Wealth of Experience to the Table
Cyndi De Long earned a Bachelor of Science from Penn State in Business and Spanish with an MBA from the University of South Carolina. She comes to SCORE Lancaster-Lebanon fluent in Spanish after a robust career in Mexico that spanned three decades. Her experience included eighteen years with Citigroup; ten of those were managing the automotive sector. She also served as CFO at a private, American K-12 school and then six years in a start-up drilling company in charge of the administration. This wealth of knowledge and skills acquired are now a tremendous benefit to the small business clients, start-ups, and entrepreneurs that SCORE serves.
"My broad range of experience from corporate to non-profit to start-up helps me to listen to the client's needs and then to help them establish a game plan to gain the knowledge to move their idea or business forward. The largest asset that SCORE has is that we have access to experts in a variety of fields, so we aren't the only resource for our client but can help facilitate courses or co-mentoring sessions to help them best."
- Cyndi DeLong, SCORE volunteer mentor
Helping Move Dreams Forward
Cyndi has now returned to Lancaster and is working full-time as a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeService Homesale Realty. One of the advantages of her new career is that it does allow for a flexible schedule that permits a certain amount of time to take on a volunteer commitment. Cyndi's father mentioned that one of his friends was volunteering at SCORE, and it sounded like something that would interest her and fit both her time and talents.
During her time as a provisional mentor, Cyndi observed the impact that SCORE can have on the lives of the clients that we work with each day.
"I was drawn to volunteer work to learn more about the community, meet interesting people, and also use my skill set to coach others. I have found that I often learn as much as the person who has come to be mentored. Each one has a unique experience and life goal, and it feels very rewarding to play a small part in helping people move their dreams forward."
- Cyndi DeLong, SCORE volunteer mentor
Cyndi also impacted the mentors around her during her onboarding process, especially with her SCORE onboarding Coach, Beverley Doody.
"It has been a pleasure to get to know Cyndi through the mentor onboarding process. Her level of energy and enthusiasm for the work of SCORE is palpable. She has a broad business background in launching start-ups, managing operations, human resources, and financial affairs. Her excellent communication skills and her fluency in Spanish can only add to the amazing work I am confident she will deliver to the Chapter and the local business community!"
- Beverley Doody, SCORE Volunteer Mentor & Onboarding Coach
As the Chapter continues to meet the ever-expanding demand for new mentor requests, we are truly grateful to have a newly certified mentor as talented and willing to serve as Cyndi DeLong. She has already stepped up to help on the DEI, Education, and SBAL committees.
"I am delighted to have Cyndi as a strong, engaging new member of our Chapter regularly contributing ideas and suggestions. I appreciate her energy, curiosity, and resourcefulness. She brings a unique background of experience, having lived and worked in Mexico. Cyndi is fluent in Spanish and willingly supports mentors who need her language skills to better communicate with their Spanish-speaking clients."
- Cathy Bonser, SCORE Chapter Chair
Cyndi is eager to serve with co-mentoring opportunities. She is fluid in Spanish and is familiar with the following:
INDIVIDUAL SKILLS
- Business Plans/ Start-up Assistance
INDIVIDUAL EXPERTISE
- Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction
