For five years, Dhruti Patel has shown up for Fellows at Rutgers University–Newark, coaching, mentoring, and preparing them for interviews as a dedicated Braven volunteer.
By day, Dhruti is a consumer insights leader at Mars Wrigley and was recently recognized as a Mars Snacking Foundation Community Happiness Hero for her nearly 200 hours of community volunteerism since 2020. That’s living your legacy (one of Braven’s core values!).
Her path to Braven began with a single invitation when a Mars Wrigley stakeholder brought a small group to see the organization in action. “Its mission and approach immediately struck me,” she shares. “When I was in university, I didn’t always have access to the kind of guidance and support that can make a difference early on, so the idea of helping young leaders navigate that stage of their lives felt meaningful. And at a basic level, it felt simple — if you’re in a position to help someone, why wouldn’t you?”
Five years in, one moment still stays with her. During a virtual semester, a student quietly asked to keep her camera off, struggling with anxiety. “I could sense how difficult it was for her even to ask.”
Rather than push, Dhruti created space. She watched the student show up consistently, participate in her own ways, and slowly build her confidence. Then, in the final weeks of class, she turned on her camera for the first time.
“That moment reminded me that volunteering and teaching aren’t only about delivering content, but about creating spaces where people feel supported enough to grow, even in ways they may never have thought possible at the start. Growth doesn’t always look loud or obvious, and sometimes the most meaningful moments are the quiet ones.”
Volunteering has also reshaped how she thinks about leadership. “Braven pushed me to go beyond observation and into genuine connection. It reminded me that behind every data point is a real person navigating unique challenges and opportunities.” That shift shows up in how she leads. “Leadership has become less about directing and more about understanding — meeting people where they are, asking better questions, and building trust before trying to guide outcomes.”
And it’s changed how she sees opportunity: “I’ve seen firsthand how talent is evenly distributed, but access is not. That insight has made me more intentional about how I show up, both professionally and in service.”
The learning runs both ways. “Working with Fellows reminded me that people are often navigating challenges you can’t immediately see, and that resilience can look very different from person to person. The Fellows’ drive, adaptability, and willingness to keep showing up — even when things aren’t straightforward — have been genuinely motivating. It’s a reminder that potential isn’t the limiting factor. Access, confidence, and support often are.”
Her advice to Fellows reflects that same spirit: “Invest deeply in yourself — your growth, your confidence, your mental well-being, and the relationships around you. Don’t sacrifice your values or principles just to fit in or move ahead faster. The most grounded and impactful leaders are the ones who stay true to themselves, especially when it’s difficult. And whenever you’re in a position to do so, help others along the way — even small acts of mentorship can change the direction of someone’s life.”
Thank you, Dhruti, for showing up for five years, leading with empathy, and reminding us of the ripple effect that mentorship can have on the next generation of leaders.
