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Robin Benton Senior Counsel, Legal Department

When Robin Benton’s manager suggested that she apply to be part of the Cox Mentor Program, she jumped at the opportunity. "I’d been at Cox about a year and I think my manager felt that the program would help me meet more senior-level executives, better understand the company and gain exposure to other departments," Benton says. Since the Mentor Program is run by Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Communications, it involves employees from a variety of Cox companies. The program lasts for one year, with an event for all mentors and mentees each quarter. In addition, mentors and mentees are expected to meet together on their own at least once a month.

"Since the basis for the program is confidentiality and trust, I found it to be a safe environment to share and get feedback, good and bad," Benton says. "The quarterly programs gave us the opportunity to meet the entire Cox leadership team, as they came to speak about their companies and strategic visions. As a result, I’m finding that I make decisions in a broader context now – I’m no longer limited by just what I see of Cox every day."

In large part, Benton credits her mentor with helping her develop this larger view of the company. As vice president of Cox Media, Billy Farina works in a different area of the company – "yet we found that the business issues we deal with are similar in many ways, so I get to see another facet of some of the things that I work on," Benton says. In their monthly meetings, Farina helped Benton understand the corporate culture at Cox and appreciate the importance of being a leader. "He really impressed on me the importance of taking risks, trying new things and being willing to work on challenges you find both in yourself and in the organization," she explains. "It’s a new – and better – way for me to approach my job."

While her year in the Mentor Program has ended, Benton and Farina still meet frequently for lunch. "And I can still pick up the phone and ask him to help me think through a decision," she says. "It’s so valuable to have someone with such a wealth of experience who’s willing to help me think through what I want to achieve and give me practical advice."

As a result of her experience, Benton has realized the importance of helping others navigate workplace issues and now volunteers as the liaison for the administrative staff and paralegals in her department. "I was so impressed with Cox’s commitment to help me succeed and with their willingness to invest time and money in developing me that I want to help other employees enjoy some of the same benefits," she states. In fact, Benton would love to be on the other side of the mentor-mentee relationship one day. "I benefit every day from my year of being mentored," she explains. "It would be a privilege to help someone else the way I’ve been helped."