Active United Way volunteer puts focus on mentors

By Abe Hardesty
Originally published in City People (subscription required)
photo by Abe Hardesty and The Greenville News

As a young person, Kim Kegler enjoyed the benefit of two excellent mentors and role models. Her parents, Clarence and Brenda Kegler, have been active in civic and church activities all their lives.

It’s an advantage that Kegler, who works at Michelin North America, would love to see every young person enjoy. That’s why she is spearheading United Way’s planned Mentor of the Year program, which is scheduled to begin in 2012.

“This first year, we’re building awareness,” says Kegler, a 38-year-old Rock Hill native and University of North Carolina graduate who is the chairwoman of the United Way’s Young Philanthropist Council in Greenville.

The group plans to make an annual habit of recognizing area leaders who make the effort to serve as mentors — officially or unofficially — to young people.

“We have some programs that recognize adult-to-teen and adult-to-child mentors; there are not a lot of programs recognizing those who mentor young adults,” says Kegler.

The United Way’s Young Philanthropists group is seeking nominations through Oct. 15 for the 2012 Mentor of the Year award. Nominees must be current residents of the Upstate who have performed exceptional mentoring of young professionals in the Upstate. The council welcomes information about the nominee and the person submitting the nomination.

“We need something more than a name — we need to know why this person is so special,” Kegler says of the nominating process.

Kegler earned a law degree before stepping into marketing positions at Sara Lee Branded Apparel (now Hanesbrands Inc.). She moved to Greenville in 2007 to take a position with Michelin North America. She enjoyed the advice of two college-educated parents but soon realized that not every young person is so fortunate.

“Having a mentor is a lifelong process. Sometimes we need to ask for mentors,” says Kegler. “That’s what we hope this program will encourage.

It seemed to make a difference early for Kegler, who had just completed her sophomore year in high school when her family relocated from Rock Hill to Wilmington, N.C.

Though a move during high school often is difficult for teens, “It was one of the best things that ever happened to me,” says Kegler. “It pushed me to be more active and competitive. I realized that I could either get involved and make a difference, or whine because I was in a new school.

“I didn’t want to be a whiner, so I jumped in and got involved,” says Kegler.

She remains in high-involvement mode today. In addition to the leadership role at United Way, Kegler serves on the board of the Greenville Zoo and as an internal chairman of the Downtown Rotary Club. She’s also an elder and young adult leader at the Spartanburg Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

She also attends as many Young Philanthropists events as possible.

“It’s my second year of involvement with YP, and it’s been a blast. We have some interesting social events and additional community giving activities, but it’s even more fun to create an outlet to thank the people who have helped us grow in our careers and to inspire others to reach out and ask for guidance through the YP Mentoring Program.”