Blog | 10.24.2024

Empowering Women Through MentHERship: A New Program at NWN Carousel

At NWN Carousel, we’re committed to fostering a culture of growth, innovation, and inclusivity. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our new mentorship program, Stronger Through MentHERship, specifically designed for our Stronger TogetHER women’s affinity group. This program represents a continuation of our efforts to support the career development and personal growth of the many women in our organization.

Exploring the Statistics

As we all know, mentorship is a powerful tool for career and personal growth. In my career, Kelly Horan, at Pratt & Whitney is the best leader I’ve had. She consistently prioritizes a 24/7 care mentatlity among her employees. I often ask myself, “What would Kelly do?” and appreciate her support as a mentor and friend for nearly 20 years. Dr. Tracy Thompson, my sister, inspired my work ethic and competitive spirit, and now both of us are thriving in our careers after our military service.

Yet, many of us don’t have access to formal mentorship programs. According to statistics, over 75% of people think mentoring is important, but only 37% of people have actually had a mentor. Additionally, 84% of people who have a mentor report that it provides two-way inspiration for both the mentor and the mentee. These statistics highlight the need for structured mentorship programs like Stronger Through MentHERship, which can provide a supportive and inclusive environment for women to learn, grow, and succeed.

Meet the Program Director: Lauren Gonzalez

Our program director, Lauren, has been instrumental in creating this initiative. With her extensive experience in managing operations teams and her passion for empowering women, Lauren has designed a program that addresses the specific needs and goals of our Stronger Together community. The program has already gained significant traction, with 14 pairings and a waiting list for future cohorts. Lauren’s approach to mentorship is centered on flexibility and adaptability, recognizing that every individual has unique needs and goals. She notes, “I want to make sure that this program is valuable for every mentee, regardless of their level or role in the company. That’s why we’ve built in flexibility to adjust the content to meet their needs and goals.”

Inside the Program: Molly Kreis and Angela Rondinelli’s Experience

Molly and Angela are one of our first mentor-mentee pairings, and their story highlights the program’s impact and potential. Molly, a seasoned talent acquisition professional, was drawn to the program because of its focus on career development and networking. Angela, a new team member, saw this as an opportunity to get to know other women in the company and develop her personal and professional skills.

As Molly notes, “I’ve been in talent acquisition for a long time, but I still see value in having a mentor and developing my skills. This program is an amazing opportunity for women to learn from each other and support each other’s growth.” Angela adds, “I’m so grateful for this program. It’s been amazing to connect with Molly and the other women in the program. I feel like I’m learning so much and gaining a new perspective on my career and my personal growth.”

Their Experiences

Reflecting on their experience so far, Molly and Angela highlight the program’s structured approach and the flexibility to adjust the content based on their needs and goals. They appreciate the monthly modules, each with a specific focus area, and the optional skill swap sessions that allow them to explore new topics and interests.

“I love the structure of the program,” says Angela. “It’s flexible, but still gives us a clear direction and goals to work towards. And the monthly modules are just the right amount of content – not too much, not too little.”

Molly adds, “I’m so impressed by the program’s content and the flexibility to adjust it based on our needs. Lauren has done an amazing job creating a program that’s relevant and useful for women at all levels and roles.”

We’d like to extend our congratulations to Lauren on launching this program and to Molly and Angela for being part of our first cohort. We’re grateful to the entire Stronger Together team for their support and enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing the impact of this program on our community and to continuing to empower women through mentorship!

Learn more about our community efforts with StrongerTogetHER at the link below.