Mentoring Programs
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 corporate groups. Mentoring is WIF’s number one tool for these two categories.
Mentoring Programs for women entrepreneurs
They offer the opportunity to have a privileged relationship with a mentor to women entrepreneurs who have been in business for more than 3 years and with a minimum turnover of one million euros, the opportunity to have a privileged relationship with a mentor. Through its voluntary male or female mentors, WIF 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.
Our mentees benefit from the free support of a mentor for one year and are supported by the WIF Foundation. Many of our mentors in France are Stanford University alumni and are familiar with both European and American cultures.
Discover our French and International Programs
Our French Mentoring Program
They testify
WIF is based on WBMI (Women’s Business Mentoring Initiative), a successful initiative founded in 2010 by the same team. The French Mentoring Program is today the largest and most successful program of its kind in France.
Our Transatlantic Mentoring Program in the USA
The Transatlantic Mentorship Program was launched in 2017. The program supports French women entrepreneurs who are ready to enter the North American market, as well as North American women 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.
Our Transatlantic Mentoring Program in Canada
The Transatlantic Mentorship Program was launched in 2018. The program supports French women entrepreneurs who are ready to enter the Canadian market, as well as 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
European intercompany Mentoring Program for high potential women
The program includes 20 pairs mentors-mentees, it is truly innovative and unique in Europe. The mentors are very experienced men and women from five worldwide companies: ENGIE, BNP Paribas, L’Oreal, Oracle and PayPal. The principle of intercompany 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 intercompany Mentoring Program for high potential women
Launched in 2021, this program, in which five global groups (AWS (Amazon Web Services), BNP Paribas, Shell, Caterpillar and ENGIE) participated, brought together some thirty mentors and mentees. At the end of April 2022, a convivial event allowed them all to meet up to exchange and share their experiences.
Asian intercompany Mentoring Program for high potential women
Launched in 2021 and renewed in 2024, the program, in which five worldwide companies are involved: Shell, Caterpillar, AWS (Amazon Web Services), Engie and BNP Paribas, is bringing together 24 mentors and mentees this year.
End of April 2022, a closure dinner for the participants of the first edition was a special opportunity for gathering and share experiences.
Testimonials on mentoring
The WIF Mentoring 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 share their experience and transversal approach: they must be totally objective.
The Mentors undertake to provide advice in their respective fields of expertise, access to their networks, to share their experiences, and 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 commit to devoting the necessary time and energy to the Mentoring Program and supporting the Mentees.
- The Mentors undertake to respect the confidentiality of their Mentees’ business projects.
- The Mentees shall benefit from regular and tailored discussions with their Mentors over a period of 6 to 12 months.
- The Mentees commit to identifying their needs as accurately as possible from the outset of the mentoring relationship.
- The Mentees must be fully involved and show regularity, dedication and trust in their relationship with their Mentor. They should voice any doubts or questions they may have as they arise.
- The Mentees commit to listening to and accepting all the Mentor’s comments and suggestions in a constructive manner.
- The Mentees must respect their Mentor’s commitment and keep the Mentor updated on developments following the end of the mentoring period.
More information
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