William Steele Distinguished Service Award Spotlight: Halley Sobeck

Some people make an impact by showing up once. Others change lives because they never stop showing up. That unwavering commitment is what makes Halley Sobeck the recipient of this year's William Steele Distinguished Service Award an honor recognizing individuals who carry forward the legacy of Bolder Options founder William Steele by leading with heart, vision, and purpose. The award celebrates those who don't just believe in our mission but bring it to life through meaningful relationships, community leadership, and a lasting commitment to young people.

Halley's journey with Bolder Options began in 2018 when she was matched with a quiet, shy 10-year-old named Aalyah.

"I remember she barely made eye contact," Halley recalls. "In the beginning, my goal was simple: just keep showing up."

For a young person who had experienced inconsistency, trust wasn't built overnight. It grew week by week, through shared activities, dependable conversations, and the steady reassurance that Halley wasn't going anywhere.

Eight years later, that commitment has grown into something neither of them could have imagined.

"What started as a mentor match feels more like having a little sister," Halley says.

Their relationship has carried them through some of life's biggest milestones. Halley celebrated alongside Aalyah as she earned her driver's permit and reached the important cultural milestone of her quinceañera. Together, they learned about the history and traditions of the celebration while planning every detail. Halley rallied family, friends, and her community to help make the day unforgettable. From donated hair and makeup and professional photography to beautiful decorations, countless people stepped forward to celebrate Aalyah. What began as an idea became a powerful reminder that an entire community believed in her and wanted to see her shine. 

"It was something she really wanted to experience but didn't have the resources to make happen," Halley says. "Watching everyone come together for her was incredible. It gave her confidence and strengthened her connection to her culture."

Just as Halley has been there for Aalyah, Aalyah has become part of Halley's own life story, celebrating milestones alongside her as Halley's family has grown. Their relationship has become a reminder that mentorship is never one-sided. It transforms both mentor and mentee.

That transformation inspired Halley to ask an important question: How can I do even more?

What began with one mentoring relationship quickly expanded into leadership throughout Bolder Options. Recognizing the power of opening doors for young people, Halley partnered with her employer, Mayo Clinic, to help launch Career Nights for Bolder Options alumni. Through Mayo Clinic’s commitment to investing in the next generation of professionals, youth were introduced to career pathways, connected with professionals, and given a firsthand look at opportunities they may not have previously imagined for themselves. Through Career Nights at Mayo Clinic, several Bolder Options youth have gained employment at Mayo Clinic, explored careers in healthcare, and begun building pathways toward their futures.

Halley has helped create speaker events where professionals share their journeys, developed opportunities that connect youth to employment and continued education, and organized Girls Empowerment Nights where professional women from Mayo Clinic speak honestly about the challenges they've overcome.

What started with wanting more opportunities for one young person has created opportunities for many. Halley believes every young person deserves the chance to see what's possible and to know they belong in spaces they may have never imagined for themselves. That belief has inspired her to serve on committees, support mentor recruitment, raise money by running in the Twin Cities 10 Mile and help shape new opportunities that opens doors for youth across the organization. Yet despite her many contributions, Halley never loses sight of what matters most: mentoring remains at the heart of it all.

"Mentoring is where the real impact happens," she says. "Everything else supports that."

That perspective reflects the heart of the William Steele Distinguished Service Award. Visionary leadership isn't always about building something new. Sometimes it's about faithfully investing in one relationship, then allowing that investment to ripple outward into a stronger community. For Halley, Bolder Options has become much more than an organization.

"Bolder Options brings so much meaning to my life," she says. "It's about giving back and making the world a little better. Being part of this community has made me a more fulfilled and happier person. It's shaped how I show up for others and how I model consistency, empathy, and support."

When asked what she would tell someone who wants to make a difference but doesn't know where to begin, her answer reflects the same simple wisdom that started her own journey eight years ago.

"Start with what you're passionate about. If youth empowerment speaks to you, become a mentor. You're not just volunteering, you're becoming a consistent, positive presence in a young person's life. You don't have to have everything figured out. Just take that first step. From there, you'll discover so many ways to make an impact."

Halley's story reminds us that lasting change rarely begins with grand gestures. It begins with one person, one young person, and the decision to keep showing up. Through that commitment, she has strengthened not only Aalyah's future, but the future of countless young people across our community.

Congratulations, Halley, and thank you for carrying the William Steele legacy forward through your compassion, leadership, and unwavering belief in the potential of every young person.