Mentorship, grit and growth

One afternoon, Alison Kaplan '26 stepped outside of her home to take an important call she had been waiting weeks to receive. The call was from a recruiter at adidas with a message that shifted the trajectory of her young career.

She landed the job.

Moments later, Kaplan was busy making calls and texts to share the good news. One of her first messages was to Kelly Friedrich '06, the mentor who helped guide Kaplan through her internship at adidas. It was a moment that marked the end of Kaplan's chapter in Boca Raton, Florida and the beginning of a new one in Portland, Oregon. More significantly, it was proof of something much larger … the power of preparation, connection and the importance of stepping outside of one's comfort zone.

Kaplan's journey to Lynn University began with intention. During her junior year in college, she transferred to Lynn, knowing the institution provided a fashion and retail management program that would offer her the academic structure and direct exposure to an industry she was hungry to explore.

Friedrich, who graduated from Lynn years earlier, chose the school with a different set of priorities that led to a similar outcome. As a competitive soccer player from the Pacific Northwest, Friedrich searched for a university that allowed her to balance athletics with a serious academic focus in business and fashion.

Lynn's smaller class sizes, accessible faculty members and emphasis on real-world, practical experiences outside of the classroom created an environment where relationships mattered for Friedrich and Kaplan.

Their connection began in the classroom. Professor Lisa Dandeo in the College of Business and Management invited Friedrich to speak to her fashion and retail class. At the time, Friedrich was working for adidas, and throughout her speech that day, the alumna shared details of her career path in the retail and fashion world. In addition, Friedrich offered insights into the realities of the job market.

"You can go to school and be the best student you can be, but connecting with fellow students, connecting with professors and being willing to take risks is what sets you apart in the real world," said Friedrich. "That connection piece is key, and it's honestly what helped me land my first job."

Among the students listening was Kaplan, who found herself drawn to Friedrich's experience and the clarity of her message. It was the first time that Kaplan visualized what her own path might look like if she showed 'grit and creativity' as Friedrich encouraged in the classroom that day.

Rather than asking Friedrich about job opportunities, Kaplan started a conversation with thoughtful questions, expressing curiosity about the e-commerce industry and ultimately requesting an opportunity to connect further.

"When Kelly spoke about e-commerce, I thought about the resources I could utilize at Lynn to learn more about the industry and take the necessary courses to hone my skills and craft my résumé," said Kaplan. "I'm not an extrovert, but I knew I had to reach out to her that day. If I didn't say something, I'd regret it."

That initial interaction with Friedrich led to a follow-up call, and eventually, to a mentorship that would define the next phase of Kaplan's career journey.

For Friedrich, the initiative stood out immediately. "If someone is bold enough to come up and say, 'Can we do a one-on-one?' I'll make time for them. I don't care how busy I am," said Friedrich. "And with Alison, it wasn't just showing up—it was how she showed up, how prepared she was and how intentional she was with every conversation."

Kaplan and Friedrich's interaction sparked an ongoing collaboration. Through frequent conversations, Kaplan learned to navigate the complexities of internship applications, résumé strategy and interview preparation. More importantly, Friedrich challenged Kaplan to think differently.

"If you want to stand out, don't just apply for jobs like everyone else," said Friedrich. "You have to advocate for yourself and find a way to be remembered. Even when it feels uncomfortable."

Kaplan took the advice seriously. When preparing her application for the adidas internship, she boldly went beyond the standard requirements. Drawing on her interest in sustainability, she crafted a custom gym bag made from repurposed adidas clothing—using it to tell a creative story about the brand's longevity and relevance in a dynamic fashion industry. Out of a highly competitive pool of applicants, Kaplan secured an internship with the e-commerce buying team at adidas.

During the 10-week internship program, Kaplan worked closely with the accessories buying team, gaining insight into product selection, inventory strategy and retail operations. She gained hands-on experience in merchandising, inventory planning and took part in cross-functional team meetings. Additionally, she completed a mock buying project—making decisions about what products should be sold—and observed decision-making at a global scale for a global brand.

"The key to Alison's success is that she didn't treat the internship like a temporary role," said Friedrich. "She treated it like the beginning of her career."  

Kaplan made it a priority to connect with colleagues beyond her immediate role and remained actively engaged in every aspect of the adidas experience. When the summer internship ended, Kaplan returned to Lynn without a guaranteed next step, which was unsettling to her.

"It was definitely scary," said Kaplan. "I loved my internship opportunity with adidas. After internships are over, sometimes you hear about people getting return offers, but that wasn't the case here."

Rather than waiting for opportunities to manifest, Kaplan created them. She stayed in touch with her colleagues and manager at adidas. Kaplan continued her regular check-ins with Friedrich and expanded her network further by nurturing relationships she had established in Oregon. Every conversation led to another connection. It was a deliberate effort—one that required persistence during a competitive and uncertain job market.

"It took grit on her part. Alison had to get out of her comfort zone and have uncomfortable conversations with people," said Friedrich. "That's where growth happens."

Months later, Kaplan's efforts paid off. A recruiter reached out with a potential full-time opportunity at adidas. Kaplan jumped at the opportunity, interviewed through multiple rounds in what turned out to be a grueling application process and leaned on the same preparation strategies that had helped her secure the adidas internship in the past. By March of her senior year at Lynn, she had her answer.

Today, Kaplan works at adidas as a buying specialist, managing footwear categories within the factory outlet business. Her role includes selecting products, analyzing performance and ensuring inventory aligns with consumer demand.

As an official employee of adidas, Kaplan experienced a full-circle moment when the company invited her to help support its internship program—a role that allows her to contribute to the same experiences that helped launch her career. The opportunity reflects not only her growth, but the broader ecosystem that made it possible.

For Friedrich, that ecosystem is what makes the difference. Years after graduating, she remains closely connected to Lynn—mentoring students, speaking in classrooms when possible and creating pathways for future opportunities. She views mentorship as an extension of the support she once received from professors like Dr. Dandeo.

"Time is how I give back," said Friedrich. "I'm not in a position to donate money, but I can mentor, I can connect people, and I can help guide students the way others at Lynn helped me."

For students like Alison Kaplan, her journey to adidas was not defined by a single moment or opportunity, but by a series of deliberate choices on her part. She spoke up when she could have stayed quiet, eagerly prepared herself when others might have coasted and learned to navigate uncharted territory with curiosity and resilience.

"Lynn really set me up to walk with confidence, to know how to speak about myself and to understand how to present myself professionally," said Kaplan. "I also would not be where I am today if it weren't for Kelly and her mentorship. That's something I want to pass on—I want to be that person for someone else."

Achieve your career goals, just like Alison. See how.