Silicon Slopes Women in Leadership Launches Applications for Second Cohort of Mentorship Program
Silicon Slopes Women in Leadership opens applications for the second cohort of their mentorship program.
Ecosystem
Silicon Slopes Women in Leadership (SSWL) is excited to announce the launch of applications for the second cohort of their mentorship program. This cost-free initiative aims to advance the professional development of Utah’s female workforce, foster meaningful relationships, and equip women with the skills needed to secure leadership roles.
The mentorship program’s inception dates back to the SSWL chapter relaunch in August 2023. During a "Lunch & Learn" event on networking strategies, Cecily Jorgensen, now an executive board member and mentorship committee chair at SSWL, observed a significant demand for one-on-one mentorship among attendees. Many women expressed the need for mentors but lacked a clear path to finding one.
At this event, Cecily met Mallory Santa Cruz, VP of Success in Education, a program of the Ken Garff Foundation. Both Cecily and Mallory joined the SSWL board and proposed the idea of a mentorship program. Drawing from Mallory’s experience with the Ken Garff Foundation’s "Women Who Succeed" program, which connected high school and college-aged girls with community mentors, they envisioned a similar program for women of all ages and experiences in Utah.
With the support of SSWL Vice Chair, Gail Coates, Cecily and Mallory launched the first 50-person cohort in January 2024.
"This mentorship program is a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive and supportive professional community for women in Utah," said Gail Coates, Vice Chair of SSWL. "By providing structured mentorship opportunities, we aim to empower women with the guidance and resources they need to thrive in their careers, regardless of their company size or industry. We believe this program will not only enhance individual growth but also strengthen our broader business ecosystem."
Recognizing that mentorship programs are often accessible in larger companies but less so for women in small to mid-sized businesses or startups, SSWL designed a program to bridge this gap. The program not only educates women on the benefits of mentorship but also connects them with mentors for a three-month period, offering coaching and resources to help them navigate the basics of mentorship without a long-term commitment. At the end of the program, participants can choose to continue their mentorship relationships.
The Mentorship Committee actively engages in community outreach to encourage applications and carefully hand-matches pairs to ensure the best possible connections. While the first launch was a very simple program, the upcoming iteration will feature a more comprehensive orientation led by Dr. Lauren Mason Carris, a seasoned product and learning leader, for both mentees and mentors, a kickoff event for in-person introductions, and sessions on mentorship from Career Development & Performance Coach, Andrea Yacub Maycek. Additionally, Jennifer Campbell and her team at Renaissance Financial will provide financial mentorship sessions to participants and internal communications and leadership coach, Irasema Romero, will present an Emerging Leaders workshop series with other women leaders in the community each month the program runs.
For more information or to apply click on the following links:
Applications close on July 12, 2024.
