About Mentoring
High level Support for Women Entrepreneurs and Women Executives
WIF offers women entrepreneurs and executives a mentor whose expertise addresses their development issues in France, Europe, the USA and Singapore.
The mission of the foundation is to contribute to the success of women entrepreneurs and women in groups. Mentoring is WIF’s number one tool for these two categories.
Mentoring programs for women entrepreneurs
They offer women entrepreneurs who have been in business for more than 3 years the opportunity to have a privileged relationship with a mentor.
Through its voluntary mentors, WOMEN INITIATIVE FOUNDATION provides a toolkit of skills and strategies that can be used in all the stages of a new company’s growth.
Our mentors are women and men who have succeeded in their own businesses and are experts in their fields. Each mentoring relationship is tailored to the entrepreneur’s unique needs and objectives.
French Mentoring Program
Founded in 2010, the French Mentoring Program is today the largest and most successful program of its kind in France.
Karine Tradon
Béatrice Korsakissok
Transatlantic Mentoring Program in the USA
Starting in 2017, the Transatlantic Mentorship Program supports French entrepreneurs who are ready to enter the North American market, and North American entrepreneurs who are ready to enter the EU market, via Paris. Mentees gain an invaluable instant network of influential, high-level support as they enter the new market.
Transatlantic Mentoring Program in Canada
Starting in 2018, the Transatlantic Mentorship Program supports French entrepreneurs who are ready to enter the Canadian market, and Canadian entrepreneurs who are ready to enter the EU market, via Paris. Mentees gain an invaluable instant network of influential, high-level support as they enter the new market.
Intercompany Mentoring programs for women executives:
European inter-company mentoring program for high potential women
The program includes 20 pairs mentors-mentees and is really innovative and unique in Europe. The mentors are very experienced people from five worldwide companies: ENGIE, BNP Paribas, L’Oreal, Oracle and PayPal.
The principle of inter-company mentoring: a senior leader from company A mentors a more junior leader or « leader-to-be » from company B.
Mixing people from different companies offers rich & diverse perspectives to both mentors & mentees.
American inter-company mentoring program for high potential women
In 2020, this program included 7 worldwide companies: BNP Paribas, Bank of the West, AWS (Amazon Web Services), SalesForce, Ernst &Young, United Nation and ENGIE with around 20 pairs mentors mentees from US East Coast or West Coast.
Read the program
Asian inter-company mentoring program for high potential women
This program launched on May 7, 2021 involves five worldwide companies: AWS (Amazon Web Services), Shell, Caterpillar, BNP Paribas and ENGIE and about thirty pairs mentors mentees.
what they say
STANFORD WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM:
« The program was specifically built for entrepreneurs and businesswoman and appeared to be a true gift to me. I learned many useful business practices and am extremely grateful for it. »
Marie Pier Germain
GERMAINHOTELS – DIRECTOR OF HOTEL DESIGN
« It’s a unique opportunity to be trained at the prestigious Stanford Graduate School of Business. I learnt a lot there, both professionally and personnaly, and was truly honored to have met so many inspirational women. »
Tina woodside
EARTHBASICS CONTRACTING CORP – PRESIDENT
« We’re beyond counting the success stories linked to the SWE program, which in 4 years has shown its usefulness and scability. Built around networking workshops, lessons and company visits, the program has enabled 150 participants to build their international visibility and create new business opportunities. Quite an achievment! »
Sofia Merlo
CO-CEO BNP PARIBAS WEALTH MANAGEMENT
ENTREPRENEUR MENTORING PROGRAM:
« As an entrepreneur, i’m fully aware of my limits. Realistically, you cannot accomplish it all by yourself. Being surrounded by people who understand, help and support me is essential to my success and that is precisely the mission of the Women Initiative Foundation. »
Karine Tardon
CEO AT KARINE & JEFF – MENTEE
EUROPEAN INTER-COMPANY MENTORING PROGRAM FOR HIGH POTENTIAL WOMEN:
« With the WIF, we strongly believe in the power of role models and are persuaded that mentoring is a key element in promoting women’s leadership. This means tailored support, time invested and discussions that foster lasting relationships. »
Margaret Johnston Clark
L’OREAL GROUP – HEAD OF GLOBAL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION – MENTOR
« It was the first time that I joined a mentoring program and it turned out to be an enormous opportunity. Beyond the business dimension, I particularly appreciated the trust, benevolence and humanity in the mentor mentee relationship. »
Rana Bamya
L’ORÉAL GROUP – REGIONAL MARKETING COORDINATION MANAGER – MENTEE
TRANSATLANTIC MENTORING PROGRAM IN THE USA:
« I’d recommend the Stanford program to everyone. I met inspiring women there who became friends; powerful business contacts (there were 37 of us from 14 different countries); stimulating, brilliant professors and a place of rare beauty. My main takeaway from the week was the power of diversity, true diversity. »
Caroline Ménard (Canada)
BRIO CONSEILS – FONDATRICE ET PRÉSIDENTE – MENTEE
« The WIF’s transatlantic mentoring program in the USA was essential in the global development phase of my company and enabled me to rethink my international ambitions. In addition to an influential local network, I benefited from true strategic support and I was quickly able to understand the cultural subtleties of the American market. »
Laetitia Gazel Anthoine (USA)
HEROW – CEO – MENTEE
AMERICAN INTER-COMPANY MENTORING PROGRAM FOR HIGH POTENTIAL WOMEN:
« We have so much to learn from our seniors. And seeing their enthusiasm in transmitting their experience to the new generation makes me particularly proud of being part of this ambitious program. »
Melissa Penricheril
AMAZON WEB SERVICE – ACCOUNT MANAGER – MENTEE
" Mentoring is not for beginners. You have to find the right method for each person and each company. The mentor sees what he can bring to the relationship depending on his own experience. Mentoring is really a customized activity. ”
" As a company manager, I know how important it is to have someone with whom you can speak freely, without constraints, on a range of subjects and sometimes to receive advice. "
" Mentoring doesn’t give you a solution or say what you have to do, but helps you to clarify the key issues or identify the right people. It’s useful to surround yourself with other chief executives who have already been through the steps. "
" My mentor is like a breath of fresh air that inspires me. She keeps an experienced eye on me and gives me the energy I need to keep going. "
" As an entrepreneur, mentoring is the best help you can get. They can help you avoid some of the big pitfalls that they’ve had and also share the ways that they’ve found success, different approaches they’ve taken... They’re also sharing your journey with you, celebrating your successes and sharing your disappointments. "
" I’ve been mentored my whole life, and it’s made an incredible difference. "
3
Years of life, the requirement for Companies to be mentored
120+
Women Entrepreneurs supported since 2010
20
Yearly invitations to private gatherings and events
160
Women entrepreneurs attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business the WIF/BNP executive training week
Mentors Charter
- All Mentors, both men and women, work on a voluntary basis and share the same philosophy and values: to support women who have a transparent and environmentally friendly business project to create value and employment for society.
- The Mentors undertake to provide advice in their respective fields of expertise, to provide access to their networks, to share their experiences, and to prepare the Mentees, both psychologically and technically, for the main stages in the creation and development of a business project.
- The Mentors can, if need be, call upon the expertise of another WBMI Mentor.
- The Mentors undertake to devote the necessary time and energy to the Mentoring Programme, and to support the Mentees.
- The Mentors undertake to respect the confidentiality of the Mentees and of their business projects.
Mentees Charter
- The Mentees shall benefit from regular and tailored discussions with their Mentors over a period of 6 to 9 months.
- The Mentees undertake to identify their needs as accurately as possible from the outset of the mentoring relationship.
- The Mentees undertake to participate fully in the relationship with their Mentor and to voice any doubts or questions they may have as they arise.
- The Mentees undertake to listen to and accept all the Mentor’s comments and suggestions in a constructive manner.
- The Mentees undertake to respect their Mentor’s commitment and to keep the Mentor updated on developments following the end of the mentoring period.