Mentors

TechWomen mentors are an integral part of the program. Professional Mentors, Cultural Mentors and Impact Coaches are women living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area or Chicago who are passionate about women’s empowerment and committed to training and inspiring the next generation of women leaders in STEM. Professional Mentors from leading U.S. companies facilitate experiences that expose participants to their professional networks and support them to plan and implement a mentorship project based on learning goals. Cultural Mentors serve as ambassadors who help participants adjust to the local culture and facilitate cultural enrichment activities to inspire participants to make the most of their time in the U.S. Impact Coaches help TechWomen participants leverage their newfound skills and networks to develop a plan of action to overcome a socioeconomic challenge in their communities.

Yes! TechWomen mentors generously volunteer their time to the program. We are extremely grateful for the dedication and support of all of our mentors – past and present.

The TechWomen program will occur over five weeks from September – October 2023. The program will include project-based mentorships, workshops, and targeted meetings in the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago, as well as special events and debrief activities in Washington, D.C.

Professional Mentors are women in STEM working at companies and organizations in the Bay Area or Chicago. Professional Mentors facilitate experiences that expose their Emerging Leader to an extensive professional network and inspire her with respect to the energetic, innovative, risk-taking culture embodied by Silicon Valley. Professional Mentors also support their Emerging Leader to plan and implement a mentorship project based on her learning goals and the unique network and environment of the mentor’s company. To learn more, please see Professional Mentor.

Prior to arriving in the United States, each Emerging Leader and Professional Mentor pair designs a project based on the Emerging Leader’s goals and the expertise of the mentor. In 15 days over four weeks, the Emerging Leader and mentor work together on the project at the mentor’s company. Projects vary depending on each Emerging Leader’s areas of expertise and interest, as well as on the needs of the host company. Explore past projects.

The host company should provide a work space for the Emerging Leader, including a desk, computer or laptop, and anything that the participant needs to be successful at completing the project.

Cultural Mentors serve as ambassadors who help participants adjust to the local culture and facilitate cultural enrichment activities to help participants make the most of their time in the United States. To learn more, please see Cultural Mentor.

Impact Coaches are women working and living in the San Francisco Bay Area or Chicago who have a strong commitment to empower women globally. These mentors will help TechWomen participants leverage their newfound skills and networks to develop a plan of action to overcome a socioeconomic challenge in their communities. Impact Coaches will support these change agents from the conception of their idea to the pitch of their action plan. For more information, see Impact Coach.

Professional Mentors are matched based on their field and area(s) of expertise, their ability to help an Emerging Leader achieve her learning objectives, as well as the mentor’s level of experience, educational background and project interests. Cultural Mentors are selected based on their diverse backgrounds, ability to spend time with Emerging Leaders, cultural interests and commitment to fostering cultural understanding. Impact Coaches are selected based on their willingness to help in supporting individuals or groups to develop a plan of action to overcome a socioeconomic challenge in their communities, as well as their ability to serve as an advisor to support change agents from the conception of their idea to the pitch of their action plan. Read more about the TechWomen mentor applications and eligibility.

The 2023 mentor application will open in Summer 2023.

We welcome men to participate in TechWomen as Professional Mentors, paired with female co-Professional Mentors.

Absolutely! Besides serving as a mentor, there are many ways to get involved with TechWomen. Companies and organizations can choose to host an event or get involved in a variety of other ways.