WFIM MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

In honour of hashtag#InternationalMentorshipDay, on behalf of hashtag#WFIM board, I’m pleased to share some photos from the recent Cohort 2024 hashtag#Mentorship Program wrap up, held at Dempsey Food. It was an enlightening evening of meeting and networking with mentors and mentees together, sharing intimate stories and key takeaways from their 1:1 mentorship experience during the past 6 months.

Mentors learned as much as mentees during their time together. Many have expressed interest in returning for Cohort 2025 (applications will be accepted soon… be on lookout…)
Thanks to Kirsten Benneter for leading the mentorship program for 2024 and welcome back Jenny Tian from maternity leave to join forces this year as the program continues.

In 2024, we had 12 pairings of mentors/mentees from the industry. Thanks to our mentors for giving of your time, advice, guidance and experience for our mentees. We heard first hand accounts on how it feels to give back and pay it forward said a number of mentors who wished they had that opportunity early on in their careers.

Thanks to our mentees for being receptive to learning and taking feedback to grow and develop. The experience has been priceless and well worth the price to be a member.

Above shown our esteemed Mentors & Mentees from Cohort 2024 that were able to attend the evening: Maribel Pérez, Maryse Comeau, Navja Tayefeh, Traci Wildish, Michelle Kienitz Henderson, Elaine Beauchemin, Del Yazdansepas, Belinda Elysée-Collen, Versha Prakash, Gurbeen Bhasin, Emily Yang Song, Dayana F., Caroline Ndiangui, Diana Gaspar

We missed you…Not able to attend the wrap-up night: Soula Kioussis, MBA, Sara Curwen, MBA Cheryl Verbiski, Stacey Kravitz, Lisa MacNeil, Clarah R. Manuhwa (Clare Rudo), Amelia Laplante, MSc, Megan Silk, ahyodo Nummy Creations. Thank you all for being such an inspiring part of the Cohort 2024 group. Appreciate your contributions to the program.

Congratulations to all the participants. You have enriched EACH others’ lives.

See you soon!

Look forward to staying in touch with each other and within the group and community.

Stay tuned for Cohort 2025 Mentorship Program applications opening soon.

The “Planting the Seeds for Success” mentoring program is designed for women who are looking to learn from experience and develop their leadership skills. It will also allow for protégés to develop their networking skills by meeting new contacts in the food industry.

Experience takes time, and there are so many people who have been there and done that. Mentors want to help others achieve success by assisting in providing guidance and helping to make the right decisions the first time.

You get matched and paired with a mentor / mentee for a 1:1 6-month program for 60-90 minutes per month (set times and locations to be arranged personally between your mentor/mentee assigned).

Planting the Seeds for Success

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MENTOR?

You have honed your skills and become experts in your field. Now it is time to give back. We are looking for mentors that will commit 1-1½ hours, once a month, to meet with a protégé to discuss a developmental topic to assist in her success in the industry. Coaches will be paired with protégés who have similar career goals or developmental needs.

Qualifications of coaches:

  • Must be a current WFIM member
  • Must hold a title of Director, C – level, owner, or hold many years of experience in an area of interest
  • Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively
  • Have a positive attitude and be willing to share
  • Be able to meet with your protégé for agreed 1-1½ hours once a month

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MENTEE?

This is your opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and develop your skills to become leaders in the food industry. Although we do not require protégés to be currently employed, the WFIM mentorship program was not designed to be a job search tool, but instead to enhance the protégé’s skills.

Not all protégés will be accepted into the program, only those who can be matched successfully with a leader will be notified that they have been accepted into the program.

Qualifications of Protégés:

  • Must be a current WFIM member
  • Must be able to communicate clearly
  • Have a positive attitude and be willing to learn
  • Be able to meet with your mentor for 1-1½ hours once a month