Amy Rote
President & CEO of Big Brothers/Big Sisters
What advice would you give to young women who want to make a difference?
My advice to young women who want to make a difference is simple: don’t just hold the desire, act on it. If something matters to you, ask yourself what’s truly stopping you from beginning. Don’t second-guess your ambition because your drive is not something to ignore, it’s something to trust.
Seek out mentors who will challenge you, support you, and help you grow. Surround yourself with people who see your potential and encourage your ideas. And most importantly, don’t let negativity, criticism, or others limited expectations hold you back. There will always be voices that doubt your path, but what matters most is the voice inside you that knows you are capable of creating meaningful change.
Can you share a moment when you realized your work was making a real difference?
One moment I return to is a pattern I’ve seen repeatedly, when a young person begins to step into their own potential. When a little (mentee) after spending time with their big (mentor), starts making decisions that reflect their core values, not just their circumstances.They explore opportunities they believed were out of reach, take a healthy level of accountability for their goals, choices, and future.Those shifts don’t happen by accident; they are the direct result of a mentoring relationship that has broadened their mindset and helped them recognize their own strengths and talents. When I watch a young person see themselves differently, believe in what’s possible, and take action from that new sense of self, it is the clearest evidence that our mentoring model works.
How has this community shaped who you are and the work you do?
I was raised in a family where service was a way of life, and I learned early that you don’t just belong to your family, you belong to your community. You show up, you contribute, and you help others.
It’s why Big Brothers Big Sisters resonates so strongly with me. Every day, I work to ensure our families, volunteers, and Littles feel the same sense of support and possibility that shaped my life. I want every young person to know they are surrounded by people who care and that their talents are essential to the strength of our shared village.
What does leadership look like to you—especially as a woman?
Throughout my career, I’ve seen the unspoken expectations placed on women: be strong but not too strong, show no emotion, be decisive, and manage everything flawlessly at work and at home. But I’ve learned that real leadership doesn’t come from meeting those unrealistic standards. It comes from leading with authenticity, transparency, and genuine respect.
When I show up as who I truly am, not who others expect me to be, people are more willing to trust my vision and join me in pursuing it.
What obstacles have you faced, and how did you push through them?
Becoming CEO during the COVID-19 pandemic brought some of the toughest obstacles I’ve ever faced as a leader. Our mentoring relationships had to shift overnight, families and volunteers needed new types of support, and our staff were navigating personal and professional stress at the same time.
What helped me push through was honest self-reflection. I had to slow down long enough to understand what my team needed from me and what strengths I could lean into to lead effectively. By identifying my role, I was able to make decisions rooted in purpose rather than pressure. Reflection helped me lead with steadiness, empathy, and clarity when everything around us felt uncertain and it continues to guide me in how I face obstacles today.
Has there been a failure or setback that ultimately helped you grow?
This question is challenging for me because accepting failure has always been one of the hardest parts of leadership for me. Anyone who knows me well knows that I hold myself to a high standard, and when something doesn’t go as planned, I struggle to label it as a “failure.”
What has helped me grow the most in those moments is seeking out the perspectives of others. More often than not, I discover that I may not have considered a different angle. Those conversations have become one of my greatest learning tools. listening to others, inviting feedback, and embracing different perspectives has strengthened not only my leadership, but also the collaborative culture I work hard to foster.