Someone in Your Corner | Giselle Hensel-Piburn
On Doing Good, Giselle Hensel-Piburn explores how mentorship turns curiosity into confidence—and connects generations through the simple act of showing up.
A siren grows louder outside Santa Fe’s Lensic theater. Paramedics rush a gurney down the aisle and onto the stage. Then a teenager takes the microphone and explains the steps involved in saving a life.
In this episode of Doing Good, Giselle Hensel-Piburn recalls that student presentation as an example of what becomes possible when adults take young people’s ideas seriously.
As director of Monte del Sol Charter School’s mentorship program, she connects students with community members willing to share their skills, time, and enthusiasm. High school students complete two years of mentorship to graduate, exploring interests that range from photography and welding to cooking and music.
The starting point is curiosity. For students unsure what interests them, Hensel-Piburn asks questions about what they would love to learn. Her instinct is to begin with yes, then work out what is possible.
The conversation explores how much learning happens beyond the chosen activity: communicating with an adult, keeping commitments, navigating unfamiliar settings, and discovering that one’s interests deserve attention. Learning to cook for family can matter just as much as exploring a profession.
The benefits flow both ways. Speaking from her own experience as a mentor, one co-host describes an unexpected sense of connection to Santa Fe and the rewards of seeing her work through a student’s eyes.
For Hensel-Piburn, the work also carries personal meaning. After losing her mother in childhood, she remembers her older sister as an important source of guidance and support.
Throughout the episode, spectacular experiences sit alongside ordinary acts of care. A student’s ambitious presentation may draw applause, but the deeper achievement is a relationship: an adult listening, encouraging, and showing up.
The invitation is simple. Sharing something you love can help a young person imagine a larger future—and give you a stronger place in your community.
Comments