Mentorship

Zak Slayback, Principal, 1517 Fund

Given the frequent use, and sometimes interchangeable use, of these 3 terms, Zak set out to define them: • A Mentor is a role model - somebody you may want to be or emulate, who you can learn from • An Advisor is usually a more formal relationship than a mentor, and usually has specific expertise that is applied to specific projects • Coaches facilitate learning, focus, and results. They usually have had formal training on coaching methodologies, and are usually able to speak to past results they've delivered to coachees.

Whitnie Low Narcisse, VP Platform - Talent & Community Resources, First Round Capital

Whitnie covers the lessons learned from First Round Capital's successful mentorship program: • How to Find the Right Match • Set the Right Ground Rules • The 10 Commandments of Mentorship

Eric Schuchman, Head of Product, Gusto

Eric provides advice on the structure he's developed over time to provide value as a mentor. He covers: • A mentor’s toolbelt • Kicking off the mentorship • Meeting cadence

Lara Hogan, VP, Engineering, Kickstarter

Lara defines sponsorship as "being on the hook to help get someone promoted." She covers these steps to do that: • When do we raise up names? • Examples of sponsorship • Be a better mentor by listening more • Explore why this might feel icky to you

David Hahn, Chief Product Officer, Instacart

David Hahn shares how mentors influenced him throughout the various stages of his career and how he thinks about helping the people he mentors. He covers: • Take the longview • Create a portfolio of mentors • Start on the right foot by establishing context • Understand the value to the mentor • Make your own decisions

Jossie Haines, VP of Software Engineering, Tile

Jossie walks us through a 6-step process for launching and managing an internal mentorship program that she used at Tile: • Launching a Mentoring Program • Timeline and Process for Mentoring • Mentor/Mentee Matchmaking • Mentorship Training • Analysis of Mentoring • End of Mentoring Celebration