In our Mentor and Mentee Features series, we highlight a mentor and mentee partnership from our LaunchMe program and learn why thy took part and what they gained from the process. This time we speak to Alice Xu (Mentee) and Elizabeth Doerr (Mentor) from our LaunchMe 2026 cohort.
Alice Xu (Mentee)
Student, Columbia University
Why did you join LaunchMe?
Moving from Australia has been a life-changing transition for me, and one of my main goals in joining LaunchMe was to build completely new connections and relationships. I was especially eager to meet like-minded young women who share similar goals and are on comparable career paths, as I believe these kinds of connections are incredibly valuable for both personal growth and professional development.
What has been your favourite part of the mentorship program?
My favorite part of the program has been attending the monthly events and having the opportunity to meet my mentor in person. These events not only foster a strong sense of community, but also provide meaningful topics that naturally guide the conversations between my mentor and me. Having structured themes to discuss has made our meetings more intentional and insightful, allowing me to gain deeper perspectives and more actionable advice.
What’s one goal where you’ve seen the most impact and what have you learned from your mentor?
One goal where I’ve seen the most impact is in exploring my true passions and gaining a clearer understanding of the different roles available within the industry. Through conversations with my mentor, I’ve been able to look beyond my initial assumptions and consider a wider range of career paths, which has helped me better identify what genuinely interests and motivates me. From my mentor, I’ve learned how to recognize and evaluate a strong company culture, as well as how to make thoughtful decisions about my career trajectory. She has given me valuable insight into the trade-offs between pursuing a traditional corporate ladder versus focusing on more technical, specialized roles within a supporting team. These discussions have helped me think more critically about the kind of work environment I want and the direction I see myself taking in the long term.
Elizabeth Doerr
Vice President, Capital Partners Data Consultancy at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
I have primarily worked in the asset and wealth management businesses across my 11 years with BBH. My work had spanned four different departments in that time and given me a broad and grounded understanding of how to navigate the complexity of our firm’s operations, analyzing risks, creating efficiencies, and driving decisions with data. What drives me is the intellectual challenge at the heart of this work. Our business and client needs are dynamic and multifaceted, requiring rigorous thinking, and I find genuine satisfaction in breaking down complex problems to find clarity within the noise. But I’m also here because I believe the next generation of women in finance deserves access to the kind of candid, experienced guidance that can accelerate their trajectory. Being part of the LaunchMe program is my way of contributing to that.
What drew you to mentor in LaunchMe and what’s been rewarding about the experience?
I’ve been fortunate to have strong mentors throughout my career, people who gave me honest guidance and helped shape how I think about this industry. LaunchMe felt like the natural way to pay that forward. This is my second cycle as a mentor, and returning was an easy decision. Having spent 11 years across different functions in asset and wealth management, I have a broad perspective and find genuine value in the quality of conversations the program creates. The growth you see in mentees over a single cycle is real and tangible. I appreciate that LaunchMe makes it possible to give back to the industry in a structured and intentional way and that the program is consistently looking for ways to bolster its impact and value for members.
How has the relationship inspired or influenced you and what is one thing you’ve learned from your mentee.
Mentoring is rarely a one-way street, and this relationship is a good example of that. Alice approaches her career decisions with a level of thoughtfulness and intentionality that I admire. What I’ve taken away is a fresh reminder of how this industry looks from an early career lens. The questions she asks and how she thinks about her next steps has made me pause and reconsider things I stopped questioning years ago and why. Working with Alice has prompted me to think more critically about my own career journey and how to turn those experiences into practical, actionable advice.
Any tips or encouragement for those entering the industry?
Stay curious. Finance is broad and constantly evolving, and the people who thrive long-term never stop asking questions about the business, the industry, and how things work. Say yes to opportunities that stretch you, even when they feel outside your comfort zone. Some of the most valuable experience comes from roles you hadn’t planned for. Don’t be discouraged if your path doesn’t look linear. The experience you build along the way can shape how you think and work in ways a straight path never would.