Innovation Mentor Overview

TechWomen Innovation Mentors

• Guide emerging women leaders as they develop project proposals to overcome socioeconomic challenges in their communities through STEM based innovations 
• Serve as a coach and advisor from the conception of an idea to presenting a project proposal and preparing for implementation 
• Build relationships between American STEM professionals and women across the world 
• Join a dynamic, supportive network of more than 1,500 women in the TechWomen community Give back and support women in STEM from across the globe 

What is an Innovation Mentor?

Innovation Mentors are volunteers working and living in the San Francisco Bay Area or Chicago who have a strong commitment to empower women globally. Each Innovation Mentor will help TechWomen participants leverage their newfound skills and networks to develop a project proposal to overcome a socioeconomic challenge in their community. They will join participants in-person for three full-day program events (occurring over a four-day weekend) to coach and support teams throughout the development of their project proposal, as well as have the opportunity to support their teams after the program concludes through implementation. 

TechWomen fellows have gone on to launch initiatives that educate, empower and inspire women and girls, encouraging them to pursue STEM fields. In Pakistan, fellows used their seed grant funding to implement She for Tech, an initiative that encourages girls in public schools to pursue STEM fields. Fellows in Kenya used their seed grant to launch Project Digniti, a sanitation initiative that builds new toilets, implements a sanitation curriculum and designs accountability models in rural schools throughout Kenya to improve girls’ health and school retention. 

How is the role of an Innovation Mentor structured?

Three Innovation Mentors will be assigned to each country team. At the application stage, Innovation Mentors are able to express interest in working with participants from a specific country or region. 

What will an Innovation Mentor do?

Innovation Mentors are asked to attend in-person and fully participate throughout all three days of the Innovation Challenge. In order to serve in the role, they must commit to: 

• Attend two virtual orientations prior to September 21, 
• 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), and 
• Have interest in or commit to advising a country team on the implementation of their project. 

Innovation Mentors will strategically advise country teams on content and design, supporting Emerging Leaders in meeting criteria and understanding what makes a successful proposal for potential seed grant funding. Tapping into their expertise, their networks, and the TechWomen community, Innovation Mentors will connect teams to resources in the San Francisco Bay Area or Chicago while providing guidance from ideation to presenting their proposal. Ideally, the relationship between the Innovation Mentor and country team will continue beyond the program, supporting the project’s implementation once the team returns home.  

In what other ways can Innovation Mentors engage with TechWomen?

Innovation Mentors are required to attend the Innovation Challenge, and to attend orientations and trainings in September. Innovation Mentors will also be invited to a pre-program networking event as well as several exciting events with Emerging Leaders to be held throughout the program, which begins in late September. Tentative event dates are provided to prospective mentors as part of the mentor application. 

What is the time commitment?                

Serving as a Innovation Mentor requires considerable time commitment during the program and beyond. Though hours may vary, Innovation Mentors should expect to spend 18-24 hours attending three Innovation Challenge events, 5-6 hours in pre-program orientations and trainings, may devote additional time to attend other program receptions and celebrations or connect with their ELs, and may occasionally meet virtually with their teams in the weeks or months following the program to support proposal refinement and implementation. 

Successful Innovation Mentors will be approachable, engaging and willing to dedicate time to support the country teams.