By Caroline Pecora for Executive Alliance
In early June, Executive Alliance held a graduation ceremony for this past year’s class of mentees in the Effective Impact Mentoring Program. Many graduates walked away feeling more confident in themselves and
reassured by the support of the other women in the class.
“The biggest thing that I have learned is that a community of like-minded and supportive women can be so empowering – regardless of the career level each is at,” said Larakay Skinner, a recent mentee graduate. Skinner joined the program with the main goal of development and networking but walked away with so much more.
For over 25 years, Executive Alliance has offered individualized guidance to mid-career women with its Effective Impact Mentoring Program. More than 200 women have gained knowledge and skill to help them achieve their goals by joining the program. Many of these women have rejoined the program as mentors or program leaders as a way to give back. Maria Darby joined as a mentee when the program was still fairly new. She had a great experience and later decided to join the mentoring committee. “I wanted to learn how to give back to the next generation of mid-career women,” she said. After a year on the mentoring committee, she was encouraged to become co-chair, a position she maintains today.
Darby put a big emphasis on building the program with women of different backgrounds. She wants to ensure the mentees have what she calls a “kitchen cabinet,” or a diverse group of people who offer support but don’t always tell you what you want to hear. She hopes that by creating an atmosphere with a variety of opinions, perspectives and backgrounds, the class can feel safe having discussions about the issues they face while also learning from each other.
Skinner found the candid, confidential conversations she had with her mentor and the support they gave her to be the biggest benefits of being a mentee. According to Darby, being a mentee in this program presents the opportunity to get whatever you want from it, which she thinks is great. Groups are formed based on what mentees identify as an area of interest, such as networking or leadership skills. “This is your year,” she said. “The whole point of the mentee program is to identify what it is that you are looking for, what are the issues that you are trying to focus on this year, and then match you with the right person,” she said.
This past year was Suzanne Fischer-Huettner’s first time getting involved with the mentoring program. She’s been a member of EA for around 20 years and serves on the programming committee, but this year she became a mentor. “As a mentor, I am committed to providing an ear to listen, share my leadership journey and successes and struggles along the way, offer sound advice when asked and provide a private space to share and learn,” she said. “But I have also gained just as much from my mentee.” She added that relationships are key, and Darby agrees that the best mentee-mentor relationships are when both people learn from each other.
There are so many reasons to join the mentoring program. “I think there are very few times in your life where you can have a whole year that is all about you,” said Darby. The program is highly focused on allowing mentees to make what they want out of it. Skinner believes people should get involved because it helps foster confidence, self-realization personal worth, useful tools and is a fun experience. According to Fischer-Huettner, the program offers learning opportunities, professional coaching, open conversations and the time to consider your goals and priorities. Although these women shared different program highlights, they all agreed the relationships you come out with are one of the best parts.
The Effective Impact Mentoring Program is unique in the way it is structured. According to Darby, it is designed to prioritize the specific needs of the mentees. The only thing scheduled ahead is the meeting times, which lets applicants know prior if they can commit. Everything else – meeting locations, presenters and topics – are chosen after the class members are selected. This method allows mentees to get exactly what they are looking for and is supportive of all the women by considering a central location. Moreover, the program is constantly updated so it can stay relevant.
Skinner had such a positive experience this year and plans on giving back. “My hope is to continue with EA as a member and volunteer to support the mentee program,” she said. “I would love to be a mentor!” Skinner’s story is just one out of more than 200 other women who have gone through the program. Many have found their involvement to be not only engaging but also rewarding. The community of women EA builds with its mentoring program is composed of passionate, considerate individuals who want to see other women succeed.