At Hennepin Technical College, the Be Bold Break the Mold program is built on a simple but powerful idea: when women support one another, they help open doors that once felt closed. For mentor Kathy Brackett and mentee Ollie Massenburg, that idea has turned into a meaningful connection that demonstrates the power of mentorship, networking, and shared ambition.
For Kathy Brackett, giving back was a natural next step in a long and successful career. An IT professional at Hewlett-Packard with more than 30 years in the field, she has watched the technology industry evolve in remarkable ways. Yet one thing still surprises her.
“I am absolutely shocked that there aren't more women in IT now than when I started,” Kathy said.
Her commitment to helping change that reality led her to mentorship. After meeting Hennepin Tech IT Instructor and Be Bold Break the Mold champion, Joan Bernard, at a Women in Leadership event, Kathy felt inspired to take action. With time in her schedule and a strong belief in women supporting women, she reached out to learn how she could get involved.
The Be Bold Break the Mold program offered exactly what she was looking for: an opportunity to guide emerging professionals and help them build confidence in an industry that can sometimes feel intimidating to enter.
For Kathy, mentorship is about more than advice—it’s about connection and opportunity. One of the most important lessons she shares with students is the value of building relationships.
“Networking is a big deal,” she said. “From a Be Bold perspective, it opens conversations that are relevant but also about being successful with your career and what you can do to position yourself to be successful.”
That message resonated with her mentee, Ollie Massenburg.
Ollie is currently studying Network Administration at Hennepin Tech. Her path into IT started with curiosity. After hearing about the college through an instructor’s recommendation, she began exploring technology careers. With family members already working in IT, the field felt both familiar and intriguing.
As she progressed through the program, Ollie found that the Be Bold community became one of the most impactful parts of her experience. Through the program, she gained access to new opportunities, industry conversations, and a supportive network that helped her see the possibilities ahead.
But perhaps the most meaningful part of the journey has been the relationship she built with Kathy.
“I never had a mentor before, but I did find a friend,” Ollie said. “She doesn’t hold back, and that’s what I love about her the most.”
Their mentorship reflects what the Be Bold program aims to create: authentic relationships where knowledge, encouragement, and honest conversation flow both ways. Kathy brings decades of industry experience, while Ollie brings curiosity, ambition, and a fresh perspective on the future of technology.
Together, they represent the bridge between generations of women in IT.
For Ollie, the experience has also highlighted the value of connection in ways she never expected.
“You never know who you're going to connect with,” she said. “That is something that's priceless.”
Now preparing to enter the workforce, Ollie is searching for the right opportunity to launch her career. Along the way, she carries with her the friendships, guidance, and confidence she developed through the program.
She also hopes the impact of Be Bold continues to grow.
“Hopefully, Be Bold can make an impact, and other schools can follow suit and have programs for other students,” she said.
For Kathy, the experience has been just as meaningful.
“It’s been a great experience,” she said. “Overall, I’d do it again.”
Stories like Kathy and Ollie’s show what happens when experience meets opportunity and mentorship meets motivation. Through programs like Be Bold Break the Mold, Hennepin Tech is not only preparing students for careers in technology, it’s helping build a stronger, more inclusive future for the industry itself.
About Hennepin Technical College
Founded in 1972, Hennepin Tech is the largest stand-alone technical college in Minnesota. With campuses in Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie, the college offers degree and non-degree courses in over 40 programs in the skilled trades and high-demand career fields. Achieving a high job placement rate, Hennepin Tech prepares students for high-paying employment opportunities.