The 2025 mentor applications are now open and will close July 9, 2025. Please be in touch with the TechWomen team at [email protected] with any questions.
Professional Mentors
Professional Mentor applicants must be:
- Women working in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, or elsewhere in the U.S. We invite male mentors to apply and co-mentor with female colleagues.
- Able to work with an Emerging Leader 1-2 hours per day during the 15-day mentorship period.
- Able to coach the Emerging Leader through her professional learning goals during a 5-week hybrid program.
Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Are women living and working in the Chicago metropolitan area or the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Have prior mentoring experience.
- Have the desire to actively participate in and contribute to the TechWomen network.
- Clearly articulates their professional growth goals and identifies how their organization can benefit.
- Demonstrate willingness and enthusiasm to mentor and inspire women from Africa, Central and South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Professional Mentor Selection and Matching Process
The TechWomen team reviews all Professional Mentor applications and matches each Emerging Leader with the Professional Mentor applicant that demonstrates the best professional compatibility.
Matches are made based on the following criteria:
- Mentor applicant’s ability to address the Emerging Leader’s goals.
- Host company’s industry fit with the Emerging Leader’s preferences.
- Mentor applicant’s demonstrated ability to connect the Emerging Leader with others in her company and field.
More about Professional Mentorship
Innovation Mentor
Eligibility Requirements
Innovation Mentor applicants must commit to:
- Attend two virtual orientations prior to the Innovation Challenge events,
- Engage with any pre-event training and resources provided by the IIE team,
- Attend all three days of the in-person Innovation Challenge events over a four-day weekend (expected commitment of 6-8 hours each day),
- Have interest in or commit to advising a country team on the implementation of their project.
Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Are excited to serve as an advisor to support Emerging Leaders from the conception of their idea through presenting and implementing the project.
- Are women living and working in the Chicago metropolitan area, the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Have prior mentoring and/or coaching experience.
- Work in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM).
- Have the desire to actively participate in and contribute to the TechWomen network.
- Clearly articulates their professional growth goals and identifies how their organization can benefit.
- Demonstrate willingness and enthusiasm to advise and inspire women from Africa, Central and South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
More about Innovation Mentorship
Cultural Mentors
Eligibility Requirements
Cultural Mentors applicants must be:
- Women living and working in the Chicago metropolitan area or the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Willing to coordinate within a group to foster relationships and plan activities of interest to their respective Emerging Leaders.
- Excited about serving as a cultural ambassador and showcasing all the United States has to offer.
- Willing to help Emerging Leaders navigate logistical challenges as they settle into life in Chicago or San Francisco.
Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Have prior mentoring experience.
- Work in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM).
- Have the desire to actively participate in and contribute to the TechWomen network.
- Clearly articulates their professional growth goals and identifies how their organization can benefit.
- Demonstrate willingness and enthusiasm to mentor and inspire women from Africa, Central and South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
More about Cultural Mentorship
If you have any questions regarding mentorship aspects of the TechWomen program, please contact Linda Miles.
