Charmaine Solomon’s life is a tapestry woven with diverse experiences, spanning three continents, balancing family dynamics, and navigating a high-powered career in leadership. As a wife to a corporate executive, a mother to a blended family, and a counselor with a background in corporate HR and cross-cultural experience, Charmaine has built a career founded on both professional expertise and a deep understanding of the human side of business. But despite her impressive resume, Charmaine’s story of growth is far from conventional. She attributes much of her success to the lessons she’s learned through mentorship.

Through her leadership roles, including serving as the Founder and Chair Emeritus of My Possibilities—a nonprofit dedicated to continuing education for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities—Charmaine has demonstrated a fierce commitment to helping others grow. But when it came to her own leadership journey, Charmaine’s path was marked by an early career without the mentorship she longed for. Now, as a mentor in the 4word Mentor Program, Charmaine is helping women navigate their own paths with the wisdom she’s gained over the years.

“If I could help someone accelerate faster or secure a promotion, I’m proud of that because I want to be part of that,” Charmaine reflects, speaking about the power of mentorship. “I want to see women succeed, and that’s what I love about the 4word Mentor Program—it’s all about passing on what you’ve learned to help others grow.”

The Challenges of Early Leadership and the Power of Mentorship

Charmaine’s leadership journey didn’t start with a guiding hand. At 25, she found herself unexpectedly thrust into a leadership role at Kelly Personnel in South Africa—a position for which she felt unprepared. “I had no skills. They just told me I was going to be a leader, and I said, ‘Okay, I think I can do this,’” Charmaine recalls. “It was a scary time, and I wish I had someone to guide me, someone to say, ‘Here’s the blueprint, here’s what you need to succeed.’”

At the time, mentorship wasn’t widely available, especially for women in leadership roles, and Charmaine had to navigate this new responsibility on her own. “It was a lonely place,” she admits. “It took me a long time to figure things out.” Had she had a mentor by her side, someone to offer guidance and a fresh perspective, Charmaine believes her journey would have been smoother, with fewer mistakes along the way.

Reflecting on her own experience, Charmaine has become an avid advocate for mentorship. “Mentorship helps women jump steps, navigate difficult pathways, and gain confidence,” she says. “It shortens the learning curve and helps you be more effective in your role.” This belief has driven Charmaine to offer the same support to others, something that she now does through the 4word Mentor Program.

The Role of Mentorship in 4word: Supporting Growth and Leadership

The 4word Mentor Program has had a transformative impact on Charmaine’s life and career. Having been on both sides of the mentorship equation—first as a mentee and now as a mentor—Charmaine understands the unique power of a strong mentoring relationship. “What I love about the 4word Mentor Program is that it’s rooted in Christian values, and it helps women find mentors who understand each mentee’s individual needs, personality, and values,” Charmaine says. “It’s about fitting the advice and guidance to the person you’re mentoring, not just giving ‘one-size-fits-all’ solutions.”

Charmaine’s deep appreciation for the program stems from her own experience as a mentee. After spending years navigating her career without formal mentorship, she finally took the leap to work with a mentor. “I realized how much it helped me when I had someone in my corner who was truly invested in my success,” she says. “That experience really opened my eyes to the impact of mentorship, especially when it aligns with your personal values.”

Through the 4word Mentor Program, Charmaine has been able to share her expertise with women looking to make meaningful strides in their careers. “Mentorship isn’t just about giving advice. It’s about understanding the person and tailoring your approach to fit their unique situation,” Charmaine explains. “It’s about helping them grow, providing a safe space for them to ask questions, and supporting them as they navigate the complexities of leadership and life.”

Empowering Others: The Role of 4word’s Mentor Program for Christian Women

As someone with a background in both HR and counseling, Charmaine’s approach to mentoring is rooted in a deep understanding of people. “My job as a mentor is not just to provide advice but to help women think through their challenges and approach their situations with confidence,” she says. “In the 4word Mentor Program, it’s not just about the technical aspects of leadership; it’s about who you are as a person and how you bring your values into your work.”

Charmaine’s mentorship approach centers on two key aspects: understanding the mentee’s unique personality and creating a space for open, honest dialogue. “You have to get to know the person first—what are their goals, what are their values, and what challenges are they facing?” she says. “Only then can you give advice that is truly helpful and actionable.”

This person-centered approach, combined with the program’s Christian framework, creates a safe space for mentees to discuss both professional and personal matters. “The confidentiality and trust that come with the program are invaluable,” Charmaine says. “You can talk about anything, whether it’s navigating difficult conversations in the workplace or balancing work and family. It’s all part of the mentorship experience.”

For Charmaine, being a mentor in the 4word Mentor Program has been as rewarding as it has been impactful. “Every time I’ve mentored someone, we’ve become friends. They’ve gone on to do great things, and I’ve learned so much from them, too,” Charmaine says. “What you give, you get back. It’s a truly fulfilling experience.”

Encouraging Others to Become Mentors or Mentees

Charmaine’s own experiences have made her passionate about encouraging others to take part in the 4word Mentor Program, either as a mentor or a mentee. “If you’re considering being a mentor, know that you have something valuable to share,” Charmaine advises. “You don’t have to have all the answers, but you do have wisdom that can help someone else grow. You can make a real difference in someone’s career and life.”

For those thinking about becoming a mentee, Charmaine has simple advice: “Be open, be prepared, and be ready to learn,” she says. “The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. Come to the table with something you need help with, whether that’s advancing in your career, navigating a leadership challenge, or even balancing your personal and professional lives. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. That’s what mentors are here for.”

How You Can Get Involved: Sign Up for the 4word Mentor Program

Charmaine’s story is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact mentorship can have on both personal and professional growth. Whether you are an executive-level leader or just starting out in your career, the 4word Mentor Program offers invaluable support, guidance, and community for Christian women in the workplace.

If you are looking to take the next step in your leadership journey, whether as a mentor or a mentee, now is the time to sign up for the upcoming session of the 4word Mentor Program. With personalized guidance, a supportive Christian community, and a focus on growth and values, the program is designed to help you thrive in every aspect of your career and life.

As Charmaine says, “You can’t go wrong with mentorship. It’s a chance to help others, and in doing so, you end up helping yourself.” Sign up today for the upcoming session of the 4word Mentor Program and be part of a community that empowers women to grow, lead, and live with purpose.

In her role as a wife of a corporate executive, mother of a blended family of four children, one with special needs, Charmaine has a unique and personal understanding of the complexities of personal and family dynamics. Born and raised in South Africa, Charmaine has worked and studied in South Africa, England, and the USA. Charmaine’s education, personal and professional experiences on three different continents, brings a richness of cross-cultural diversity, international, HR corporate business and counseling experience.   Charmaine relates well to diverse groups and has fostered relationships within the Plano community.

Charmaine completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Dallas and her master’s degree in counseling at Amberton University. Charmaine completed clinical hours working with non-profit organizations like the Children’s Advocacy Center and CASA providing counseling and play therapy services to at-risk children, youth, and their families. Charmaine approach is person centered and solution focused, that allows her to collaborate and help clients navigate through life’s challenges. Charmaine enjoys investing in others through coaching and mentoring.

Charmaine is a founding member of My Possibilities – A continuing education adult college like program for adults with IDD. Charmaine’s involvement in the creation of My Possibilities is very personal to her, as she has an adult son with IDD. Initially Charmaine served as a board member, and for the past 10 years she has served as Founder and Chairperson of the Board. Currently Charmane serves as Founder and Chair Emeritus, with her primary focus on setting the strategic direction of the organization, special projects that are growth driven, donor relationships and management, fundraising and expanding the Board of Directors to include a wide range of skillset and diversity to help strengthen the My Possibilities leadership team.  

Charmaine is a proud graduate of Leadership Plano – Class 39, and is very excited to have recently been appointed as Director of Leadership Plano.