Mentor Spotlight: AJ Rai On The Power of Purpose-Driven Mentorship
BEEDIE LUMINARIES — In continuation of our Mentor Spotlight series, we are excited to highlight AJ Rai, Vice President of Sales at Mitchell Press and Project 28. We thank AJ for being part of the incredible team at Mitchell, a committed corporate partner to Beedie Luminaries, who is not only keeps up with the dynamic changes of the Beedie Luminaries Foundation, and but always elevates our success.
For AJ, success is shaped by reimaginging industries, building legacies, and paying his knowledge forward in the form of mentorship. Over the last 8 years, AJ has dedicated his career to innovating a commonly considered “archiac” industry with fresh ideas and a forward-thinking mindset. His journey from an uncertain student to a highly successful sales professional is a testament to the power of adaptability and guidance in shaping successful careers.
Stability isn’t always enough.
“What do you want to do when you grow up?” It’s a question dreaded by most high-school students, most often met with some form of “uhm”, “uhh”, and “I guess?” as a response.
But for AJ, the answer seemed linear and crystal clear. As a successful student athlete, he envisioned a promising career in sports.
However, when an injury abruptly took him off the field in his final years of high school, he found himself navigating an unexpected path as he entered post-secondary. Encouraged by teachers and career counselors who idealized a future of stability, AJ pursued Accounting at BCIT and secured a role as a Tax Specialist. As he drove himself deeper into this career path, he quickly came to realize that the stability that others had promoted did very little for his professional and personal fulfillment.
“I remember sitting at my desk on a Tuesday afternoon, looking around, and realizing I was bored. That moment made me question everything,” AJ recalls. That same Tuesday afternoon, AJ stood up from his cubicle and handed in his resignation.
Without a secure path forward, he knew that he had to allow passion to drive him forward. Above all, one thing was strikingly clear: he wouldn’t be back there again.
It was during this period that AJ reached out to a longtime family friend and mentor—someone who had always encouraged him to think beyond the obvious. That initial phone call sparked a renewed sense of excitement about the future. Over time, their ongoing conversations began to reshape AJ’s approach to building a career. What started as casual check-ins eventually led AJ to explore opportunities in tech sales, revenue strategy, and ultimately, entrepreneurship.
Reflecting on the influence of “Uncle Mike,” AJ says, “He’d come into town or give me a call and question everything I was saying and doing.” Those conversations became pivotal, prompting AJ to think more critically about his choices. “His questions pushed me to find actionable ways to create change in my life,” he explains. “Everything I did had to have purpose.”
Trial, Error, and Mentorship with Purpose
AJ draws on a wealth of personal experience—full of trial, error, and growth—to shape his approach to mentorship. With his mentee, Adam Shergill, he takes a direct and thought-provoking stance, encouraging him to view challenges from multiple perspectives and to think beyond short-term wins.
“I don’t give easy answers. I ask questions that help him think differently,” AJ says. “I always ask two pivotal questions: What if it doesn’t work out? and Will this propel you forward or hold you back?”
For AJ, mentorship isn’t about having all the answers. Rather, AJ aims to create space for growth through his guidance. “I don’t always know everything, and that’s okay,” he adds. “Part of being an effective mentor is knowing when to bring in others who can offer different perspectives.”
Adam, a 2022 SHINE Student studying Applied Computer Science at BCIT, has experienced that approach firsthand. From their first meeting, he was struck by AJ’s calm, grounded style of leadership. “He doesn’t waste time panicking over what could go wrong,” Adam reflects. “He focuses on what needs to be done—and just does it.” That mindset, he says, has pushed him to become more efficient and proactive in his own work.
Their relationship has grown beyond conversation, extending into real-world experiences. A visit to Mitchell’s Burnaby site gave Adam a close-up look at how innovation and leadership come together in practice. “Seeing that cutting-edge factory and how the team collaborates showed me not only how Mitchell stays competitive, but also the values AJ lives by as a leader,” he shares.
That visit made a lasting impression—revealing that mentorship isn’t just about advice, but about showing up, investing in others, and modeling the kind of leadership that lifts everyone around you.
Making a Lasting Impact
When asked how he hopes to be remembered as a mentor, AJ keeps it simple:
“I want Adam to know that he can always call me—not just when things are going well, but when he needs a second opinion, when he’s stuck, when he’s questioning his next move,” he says. “A good mentor isn’t there to agree with you; they’re there to challenge you, to push you forward, and to remind you that growth happens outside of your comfort zone.”
Adam echoes this sentiment: “AJ, thank you for your mentorship and for always taking the time to share your insights into business and technology. Your calm, forward-thinking mindset inspires me every day. I know that the best way to honor everything you’ve taught me is by putting your advice into action—both now and in my future career. Your guidance has not only helped me grow as a student, but it’s something I plan to pay forward to others in the workforce.”
Through his mentorship, AJ embodies the values of Beedie Luminaries—encouraging curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. His story serves as a reminder that career paths are rarely linear, but with the right guidance and mindset, they can lead to extraordinary opportunities.
Thank you for all that you do, AJ!
Interested in becoming a mentor? Get in touch with us today.
