Women's Leadership & Mentoring Program

The Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program (WLMP) pairs experienced professionals from Chicago Women in Philanthropy (CWIP) with younger women who are in the early stages of their nonprofit careers. WLMP offers participants access to workshops, networking events, and monthly meetings between mentors and mentees. The goal of WLMP is to foster women as leaders, support women who are building their nonprofit careers, and encourage best practices in the nonprofit sector.

Expectations

Commitment to WLMP for one year (10/11 – 9/12), 2-4 hours per month
1. Monthly meetings/contacts with your mentoring partner, which include:

Opening session/dinner
Professional development sessions (2-3)
Closing session/dinner

2. Commitment to the spirit of mentorship: setting jointly agreed upon goals with your partner, upholding confidentiality, being open to new perspectives

3. Participation in the evaluation process

Eligibility

WLMP will support 10 mentorship pairs in 2011-2012. WLMP strives to attract a highly diverse group of participants, including race/ethnicity, field of work, and types of employment responsibilities.

Deadline

Complete the online mentee or mentor application by Friday, September 9, 2011. Mentorship pairs will be announced in early October.

Mentees

Young women in the early stages of their nonprofit careers (approximately five years or less of work experience) and who have specific needs in areas such as goal setting, career planning, networking, or embarking on an employment or educational transition. CWIP members who meet these criteria are welcome to apply. View a sample application: WLMP_mentee_appJuly2011.pdf (90 KB) . Please note that all applications should be submitted online, and we will request a CV, resume, or bio.
Online WLMP Mentee Application

Mentors

CWIP members who have at least ten years of professional work and/or senior management experience in the nonprofit sector. View a sample application: WLMP_mentor_appJuly2011.pdf (85 KB) . Please note that all applications should be submitted online, and we will request a CV, resume, or bio.
Online WLMP Mentor Application

If you have any questions or problems with the application, please feel free to contact Katie Claussen Bell.

2010-11 Mentees

Jennifer Hunt
Assistant Director

Sara Poorman
Marketing Associate
Writers' Theatre

Brittany Futterman
Grant Writer
Between Friends

Divya Mohan Little
Project Director
Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition

Mary Beth Johnson
Senior Coordinator, Strategic Partnerships Dept.
Rotary International

Yesenia Sotelo
Manager of Interactive and New Media
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights

Niki Fritz
Executive Assistant
Christopher House

Annie Lionberger
Director of Programs
Greater Chicago Food Depository

Erin Starkey
Teen Services Manager
Girls in the Game

Elizabeth Bowen
Program Assistant
Chicago Community Trust

Miriam Young
Humanitarian Grant Coordinator
The Rotary Foundation

2010-11 Mentors

Sharon Bush
Senior Program Officer
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

Paula Danoff
Director of Development & Communications
Evanston Art Center

Trish De Preter
Development Officer
McCormick Foundation

Reshma Desai
Director of Grant Programs
Illinois Violence Prevention Authority

Tina M. Erickson
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Rosalind Franklin Univ. of Medicine and Science

Merri Ex
President
Philanthropic Solutions, Inc.

Mary Davis Fournier
Deputy Director, Public Programs Office
American Library Association

Marilyn Hennessy
Trustee
Retirement Research Foundation

Soo Na
Program Officer
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

Peggy Reins
Director, Foundation Relations
Advocate Charitable Foundation

Cheryl Freeman Smith
Director of Workforce Development & Diversity
Chicago Urban League

Why join WLMP?

Learn more by viewing a 60-second video clip from board member Katie Claussen Bell about her WLMP experience.

What We Do