What the BD Guild of Colorado Taught Me About Growth, Mentorship, and Recognition
By: Corinne Sanders, Marketing Manager, Treanor
When I first discovered the BD Guild of Colorado, it felt like someone had turned the lights on in a room I didn’t realize was dark. Why didn’t something like this exist before? Like many others, I had learned business development through trial and error—the “sink or swim” method. No clear roadmap, just persistence, mistakes, and a lot of learning along the way.
So when I found a group dedicated to connecting BD professionals, sharing ideas, and supporting each other, I felt both inspired and relieved. I knew right away I wanted to be part of it.
Not long after, I saw a LinkedIn post about the BD Guild’s mentorship program and signed up as a mentee. Over the course of 2024, I had the chance to learn from some incredible BD mentors. Each brought their own stories, insights, and encouragement. What stood out most wasn’t just what they knew, but how generously they shared it. These were people who wanted to see others grow and elevate our roles as business developers in the industry.
Intentional Business Development
That kind of support stayed with me. It encouraged me to think more intentionally about how I approach this work and the kind of business developer I want to be. Through this experience, I have been able to solidify my core beliefs for doing meaningful business development, which include:
Lead with service. For every person you meet—whether a client, consultant, partner, or community member—ask how you can help them, personally or professionally. It builds authentic relationships and often comes back in ways you don’t expect.
Be the resource you didn’t have. Share what you’ve learned. Celebrate the small wins. Encourage others to grow. You’ll create a ripple effect that can transform your organization and your network.
Be intentional. Be authentic. You don’t have to go to every single event or fill your calendar with happy hours to be successful in business development. The real key is showing up in the places where you can genuinely add value. People connect with authenticity. When you lean into your strengths and let your personality come through, you’ll build stronger relationships and make a more lasting impression.
Be a professional dot connector. Connecting the dots is the first step to a killer strategy, whether for your own organization or your network. Don’t just collect contacts; create value by linking people, ideas, research, and insights in meaningful ways.
When I received the news that I’d been nominated for the BD Guild of Colorado’s Business Developer of the Year, I was floored. I was a little emotional; it was a huge honor, especially knowing it came from a community I admire so deeply. Even just being nominated alongside people I respect felt like more than enough.
Recognizing the Importance of Business Development Professionals
One unexpected gift of the nomination process was the chance to pause and reflect on my career. In a field that moves fast and rarely slows down, moving from pursuit to pursuit, it gave me a reason to look back. I asked others how they perceived my contributions, something I don’t often do. As someone who would rather focus on collective wins vs. personal contributions, it meant a great deal to hear from their perspective how my work had impacted the firm. It reminded me that while we’re all chasing the next big thing, it’s also okay to stop, take a breath, and celebrate the milestones, not only because it feels good and helps keep you motivated, but because the more we recognize the business developer’s impact, the more it helps others understand our value in the industry.
And then, to my surprise, I was named Business Developer of the Year.
It still feels surreal. I remember being new to the field and being asked to go out and bring in work without any training or tools. At times, I still feel like that same person trying to figure it all out. What’s made the difference is the people I’ve met along the way—those who have taught me, encouraged me, and reminded me that there are many ways to be successful in this role.
Elevating the Business Development Community
If you’ve ever questioned your approach, practices, or overall value, I highly recommend getting involved in the BD Guild of Colorado. And if you happen to be already involved in the BD Guild community, consider nominating someone for the Business Developer of the Year award. Recognizing your peers helps elevate the entire BD community. If someone stands out for their dedication, passion, or contributions, nominate them. The gesture alone can be transformative for their careers and the role of business development in Colorado.
Here’s why you should consider nominating someone:
Because recognition matters. In a fast-paced field where wins are often collective and quiet, this is a rare opportunity to shine a light on someone who consistently puts in the work and rarely asks for credit.
Because their example inspires others. Honoring someone who leads with integrity, generosity, and creativity sets a standard for what great BD looks like. It encourages others to lead in the same way.
Because they’re shaping the future of our industry. Whether they’re mentoring others, building long-term partnerships, or creating new opportunities, their work is making a lasting impact.
Because small gestures make a big difference. A nomination doesn’t take long, but it can mean the world to someone who has poured their energy into making a difference.
You probably already have someone in mind. Let them know their work matters and nominate them.
I’m honored to be part of this community—one that celebrates the people behind the pursuits. Let’s keep supporting each other, sharing what we know, and recognizing the amazing work happening every day.
Let’s keep building the kind of community we all wished existed when we started.