Mentorship Program

Planting the Seeds for Success

Applications Accepted until April 15th, 2026

Scenes from Cohort 2025 Mentorship program

June 19, 2025, held at Dempsey Food

Cohort 2025 WFIM Mentees and Mentors were invited to join in a tour and info session hosted by Dempsey Food, ahead of official gathering. Cohort 2025 attracted 40 applicants, resulting in 20 pairings. This was double the number of applicants from 2024. The gathering was off to a great start to the 6-month 1:1 program, as mentors and mentees got to meet each other, whether in person or virtually. Some photos from the gathering.

Co-chairs Kirsten Benneter and Jenny Tian presented the program expectation sand provided tips on how to foster a productive session. Brenda Seto detailed the peer mentorship element for mentees, which was added this year to enhance mentees experience by participating in various committees over the year to develop more skills and learn from a peer mentorship environment. It was identified in the board meeting and survey results that insight was invaluable to the participants personal development.

About the WFIM Mentorship Program

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 mentees 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.

APPLY NOW TO BECOME A MENTOR AND/OR MENTEE FOR WFIM’s 2026 COHORT! THIS IS A UNIQUE 1:1 MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR WFIM MEMBERS ONLY!

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).

Mentors and mentees are encouraged to attend events and participate in programs and committees. This provides additional peer mentorship.

New for 2026: Mentees will be required to participate in a minimum of 1 volunteer committee during 12-month period. This enables peer mentorship in addition to the 1:1 mentorship program

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MENTOR?

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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 mentee to discuss a developmental topic to assist in her success in the industry. Coaches will be paired with mentees 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 mentee 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 mentees to be currently employed, the WFIM mentorship program was not designed to be a job search tool, but instead to enhance the mentees skills.

Not all mentees 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 Mentees: