Alumni Mentorship at UTM: A Q&A with Haze Schepmyer (HBSc 2000) and Mary-Rebekah Reyes (HBA 2022)
Through shared experiences and guidance, two UTM alumnae reflect on the transformative impact of mentorship.
The UTM Alumni Mentorship Program has fostered unique and meaningful connections that help upper-year students, recent graduates, and alumni alike to grow and thrive. By selecting mentors who share similar career paths, interests, or lived experiences, students receive invaluable guidance as they transition from academic life to the early stages of their careers.
In this Q&A, we meet Mary-Rebekah Reyes (HBA 2022), an emerging artist and founder of A Daddy Gramps Red, and her mentor, Haze Schepmyer (HBSc 2000), a Life-Event Transitions Mediator. Together, they share their mentorship journey, highlighting the professional and personal transformation that can emerge from these connections.
Q: Mary-Rebekah, can you briefly describe your journey from studying art and art history at UTM to where you are today?
Mary-Rebekah: My degree in art and art history ignited my passion for both creating and inspiring others. This led me to found my business, A Daddy Gramps Red, focused on artistic production, education, and alignment advising, based on the elements of art production and research I loved most during my studies. When I saw the mentorship program featured in UTM’s alumni newsletter, I applied right away. I knew I wanted a mentor who could help me refine my vision, set clear goals, and bring fresh perspectives to my career. Haze’s background and outlook felt like a perfect match; it resonated deeply with me.
Q: Haze, what inspired you to become a mentor in the UTM Alumni Mentorship Program?
Haze: My experience as a student in the mentorship program inspired me to become a mentor as soon as I graduated! During my undergrad, I recognized the importance of becoming self-equipped for responsible flourishing and committing to healthy, self-motivating actions, like seizing relevant learning opportunities outside my classrooms. After more than 20 years of volunteering as a mentor at UTM, my involvement still feels like a humble way to offer students and recent alumni a chance for gaining new perspectives that they may not encounter in their formal coursework.
Q: Mary-Rebekah, in what ways has the mentorship program supported your transition from student life to professional life?
Mary-Rebekah: Graduating feels a bit like being thrown into the deep end and told to swim, after spending years just learning the theory of it. The mentorship program felt like a lifeline, with my mentor acting as an anchor through the rough seas. Transitioning from student life to the professional world is tough, and sometimes, all you really need is someone to listen, to reassure you that you're not alone or losing your mind. Hearing, “It is indeed rough, but you can and will get through it, just keep swimming,” was exactly the support I needed. That level of encouragement goes a long way, and it was invaluable to me.
Q: Could you each share a meaningful moment from your mentorship experience and how it has impacted you both professionally and personally?
Mary-Rebekah: A key moment for me was when Haze helped me articulate the heart of my business. In one conversation, she summed up my vision perfectly: “You choose to create beauty over chaos and want to encourage others to do the same with their lives.” That phrase has become my guiding motto, capturing everything I hope to achieve. It was powerful to hear my mission reflected so clearly.
Haze: For me, the most rewarding part of mentoring Mary-Rebekah has been witnessing her growth as she steps fully into her role as CEO of A Daddy Gramps Red. Watching her not only embrace this mission but actively shape it into something authentic and forward-focused has been inspiring. During this transition, she has repeatedly committed to authoring a proactive, personalized path despite the obstacles that develop on her path.
Q: Mary-Rebekah, how do you envision your artistic career evolving in the next few years, and how has this mentorship experience shaped that vision?
Mary-Rebekah: Haze has expanded my sense of what’s possible. I genuinely believe that anything is achievable, whether it’s exhibiting my art, having my films shown in theaters worldwide, speaking at conferences and panels, or even writing books. I love exploring all forms of artistic expression, and I see my career evolving in ways that feel both new and exciting. I’m truly looking forward to what’s ahead.
Q: Haze, what advice would you give to other alumni who are considering becoming mentors in this program?
Haze: For over 20 years, mentoring in this program has been an energizing experience for me. It consistently offers the chance to see if I can help students and recent alumni with building strength, stability, stamina for the journey they’re on as well as the life-event transitions ahead of them. This empowering initiative may appeal to other alumni who are exploring meaningful opportunities for igniting possibilities by building capacity and providing personalized tools for future generations.
Thank you to our Sponsors
The UTM Alumni Mentorship Program is proudly sponsored by U of T affinity partners Manulife and TD Insurance. Discover the benefits of affinity products: affinity.utoronto.ca
