Designing a program that ensures mentor engagement

It’s not unusual to applaud the benefits of mentorship programs for mentees. But what about the mentors?

Recognizing the mutual benefits of structured mentorship programs for leadership development, Ascend Canada—an organization dedicated to enhancing the presence, visibility, and influence of current and future Pan-Asian business leaders—introduced their "Emerging Leaders" program.

This initiative connected early-stage managers and young professionals with experienced mentors. The program successfully provided both emerging and experienced professionals with opportunities to enhance leadership skills.

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"We believe that mentorship is a two-way street—both mentors and mentees grow through the exchange of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. The success of our Emerging Leaders program showcases how investing in mentorship not only supports the professional development of our mentees but also empowers our mentors to enhance their leadership skills, build confidence, and create meaningful connections. This program is a testament to the power of shared learning and community building.”

Andrew Kwong

Executive Vice President and Board Member, Ascend Canada

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Powering a combination of in-person and virtual mentoring

To create the most impactful mentorship experience, Ascend Canada needed to combine both virtual and in-person elements.

Facilitating face-to-face interactions: Recognizing the value of in-person connections, they used 10KC's smart-matching algorithm to prioritize pairing mentors and mentees within the same city. This resulted in 89% of mentees being matched with a mentor locally, enabling them to meet face-to-face and build stronger bonds.

Connecting across distances: While encouraging in-person meetings when possible, Ascend Canada leveraged 10KC to connect mentors and mentees across Canada when needed to ensure everyone had an opportunity to access mentorship. This combination of in-person and virtual mentoring allowed for greater flexibility and ensured that participants could build meaningful relationships, regardless of location.

Creating a dynamic experience: 10KC helped the team facilitate both virtual and in-person orientations, feedback sessions, and networking opportunities with senior Ascend Canada leaders. In-person gatherings, including the capstone event in Toronto, fostered a sense of community and celebrated program successes.

Smart-Matching

Used profile attributes to determine who to invite as mentors based on job level, experience, and location

Office Hours

Ran program orientations along with events to engage mentors in feedback sessions

A win-win for mentors and mentees

Ascend Canada's "Emerging Leaders" program proved highly successful in engaging mentors and delivering tangible benefits:

Improved connection & value: 75% of mentors reported feeling more connected and valued through their participation in the program.

Leadership Development: 92% of mentors practiced or developed their leadership skills during the program. 75% of mentors feel more confident in their mentoring and coaching abilities.

Positive career impact: 83% of mentors expressed interest in participating in the program again. 83% also reported experiencing at least one positive career outcome due to their involvement in the program.

The program also delivered exceptional results for mentees:

100% of mentees gained valuable insights to help them achieve their professional goals and reported feeling more connected and valued within the Ascend Canada community. 91% felt better equipped for career success due to the mentorship.

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"The Emerging Leaders program exemplifies Ascend Canada's commitment to fostering growth for both mentees and mentors. By combining innovative technology and thoughtful program design, we've created a platform where meaningful connections are forged, leadership skills are sharpened, and career trajectories are elevated. It's inspiring to see how this initiative not only strengthens our community but also empowers mentors to grow as confident, impactful leaders.”

Karthik Kannan

Vice President of Marketing and Technology, Ascend Canada

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