TechWomen Cultural Mentors
- Inspire emerging women leaders to become change agents in their communities;
- Serve as a cultural ambassador and help participants acclimate to life in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Build relationships with women across the world;
- Join a dynamic, supportive network of more than 300 Bay Area TechWomen mentor alumnae; and
- Give back and share your experiences with others.
What is a Cultural Mentor?
Cultural Mentors are women working and living in the San Francisco Bay Area who have a strong commitment to empowering women globally. Cultural Mentors support Emerging Leaders’ professional and personal growth by helping them acclimate to life in the Bay Area and inspiring them to make the most of their time in the United States. Mentors also serve as cultural ambassadors and expose Emerging Leaders to local attractions, cultural events, and service opportunities.
How are cultural mentorships structured?
Among two groups of about 20 (split geographically between San Francisco and the South Bay), TechWomen Cultural Mentors foster relationships and collectively plan activities for Emerging Leaders.
Each TechWomen Cultural Mentor works within a small activity group to collaboratively plan and facilitate events/activities for Emerging Leaders based on specific areas of interest:
- Outdoors: e.g. hiking, camping, picnics, visits to the beach, neighborhood walks
- Professional Enrichment: e.g. networking events, speaker series, panels, young professional meetups
- Arts: e.g. theater, dance and music performances, art galleries, museums
- Culinary Excursions: e.g. Off the Grid, tasting new cuisines, Ghirardelli Square
What will a Cultural Mentor do?
Cultural Mentors are responsible for planning and providing cultural immersion opportunities for Emerging Leaders. To facilitate this, Cultural Mentors and their activity groups prepare a calendar of weeknight and weekend events/activities for small groups of Emerging Leaders. Throughout the program, Cultural Mentors will facilitate these events and are also encouraged to plan additional informal activities that support Emerging Leaders to gain the most from their experience in the Bay Area.
Cultural Mentors are also invited to attend an in-person orientation in August, a mentor networking event in September, and several exciting kickoff events with Emerging Leaders during the first week of the program.
Each Cultural Mentor will also serve as a cultural point of contact for two or three Emerging Leaders to help facilitate communication.
What is the time commitment?
Serving as a Cultural Mentor requires considerable time commitment during the fall program and beyond. Mentors agree to commit approximately 10 to 15 hours of preparation prior to the beginning of the program. Preparatory activities will include the orientation, meetings with activity groups, and individual coordination of activities.
During the fall program, Cultural Mentors should expect to commit significant time on weeknights and weekends planning and facilitating participation in cultural events. Past Emerging Leaders have noted that having extensive time with their Professional Mentors was critical to a successful cultural mentorship experience. Successful mentors have been approachable, engaging and willing to dedicate substantial time to supporting the Emerging Leader community.
