We started in 2002 with a desire to connect women entrepreneurs with the guidance, knowledge, and community they’ll need to thrive in business. We’ve since paired an average of 100+ Mentees per year all across Canada. That’s 2000+ pairings and counting.
Listening, asking questions & sharing your experience-based perspectives with a woman entrepreneur to empower them.
Becoming a part of an active community that wants to open doors for one another & see each other succeed.
Being committed to spending 1 hour per month, for 12 months, meeting with your Mentee. In-person or remotely.
Building a new working relationship with someone who you can learn from too. A Mentor is sometimes more partner than teacher.
The Process
Becoming a Mentor in The Forum Mentor Program presented by The Scotiabank Women Initiative® is an easy and rewarding experience. Here’s what you can expect your time, from start to finish, to look like.
Step 1: Sign up
Sign up and get access to our online Mentor Program platform, where you can create a profile & share information about your business, your strengths, and who you think would benefit most from your mentorship.
Step 2: Matches offered
When we receive an application from a woman entrepreneur looking for the kinds of insights you’re able to offer or guidance on something you’re well versed in, you’ll receive a notification with your potential Mentee’s profile & can accept the pairing if you feel it’s a good fit.
Step 3: Prepare for your Mentee
While you’re waiting to be paired, you can prepare & familiarize yourself with the mentorship process by reviewing the in-depth guides, videos & training materials available to you in the Together platform.
Step 4: Meet your Mentee!
Once your pairing is complete, your Mentee will schedule your monthly meetings using the booking calendar built into our online platform -- which allows you both to see each other’s availability, making the process simple for everyone.
Step 5: Mentorship begins
Over the course of the next 12 months, you will meet with your mentee for 1 hour per month. It is their responsibility to set these meetings up in advance, provide an agenda & progress updates, and to lead the relationship by being clear with their goals and desired outcomes.
Step 6: Option to renew
At the end of 12 months, you can choose to continue working with the same mentee for a further 12 months - should you feel there is more to be shared - or you can stay in the program and mentee a new entrepreneur.
Step 7: Congrats! You're done!
Congratulate yourself! Because sharing your time & skillset to ensure women entrepreneurs get the support & knowledge they need to succeed is something you should be incredibly proud of.
What past Mentors say about their experience…
Become a Mentor
Support, inspire, and share your experience and insights with a Mentee for 12 months in a 1:1 format.
Frequently asked questions
Who can become a Mentor?
The program is open to professionals and entrepreneurs from any industry and at any level, who want to give back and support women entrepreneurs on their journey by offering mentorship and support. We welcome both women and men as Mentors and you can find out more about becoming a Mentor [here][1].
For all details on the experience, our mentorship philosophy and how the pairing process works, please check out our Mentor Program Welcome Guide here.
What is the time commitment?
Both Mentors and Mentees must commit to meeting virtually or in person for 1 hour a month, over the course of 12 months. The 12 months starts once you are paired.
Outside of meetings, Mentors are expected to allow time to facilitate organization of meetings and review any relevant materials to show up prepared to support their mentee.
How is this Mentor Program different from others?
We thoughtfully curate every pairing based on needs, goals, values, and personality. Because when women entrepreneurs are able to gain insights from someone who has direct experience and who understands exactly where they're coming from – *the payoff is significant and long lasting.*
How long does the pairing process take?
For Mentors, once you register you will remain in our pool of available Mentors until a suitable match comes along. This could be as early as a few weeks or as long as a year. If, at any time, your availability changes, please just let us know.
When can I sign up?
Anytime! Program registration is open year round and we’re always accepting applications from new Mentors.
If you want to be a Mentor, please sign up [here][2].
How do I sign up?
If you want to be a Mentor, please sign up [here][3].
Once paired, what do I do?
Our online mentorship platform has tons of great resources you can use to guide you through the process. The in-depth guides, videos, and suggested session agendas are all designed to help you feel comfortable and prepared and the digital tools like the booking calendar and feedback forms are there to make scheduling meetings and giving feedback infinitely easier.
What if my pairing isn’t a good fit?
Our online mentorship platform helps select pairings based on needs, goals, values, and personality, but it’s still possible that after your first meeting it won’t feel like a perfect match. If you find this is the case, please contact our Program Managers, by email at mentor@theforum.ca or phone at 604-682-8115 right away. We can discuss what you feel isn’t working and potentially re-pair you within the first 2 months of the program
What are the Terms & Conditions?
Please read the Terms & Conditions here. If you have any other questions please email mentor@theforum.ca.
meet the program sponsor
The Scotiabank Women Initiative® understands the potential and power of women entrepreneurs, and has worked to increase opportunities for them through access to capital, specialized education, and of course, mentorship. Since launching in 2018, The Scotiabank Women Initiative® has already deployed more than $3 billion in capital to Canadian business owners, and engaged 6,000+ entrepreneurs through its educational boot camps and mentorship sessions.
We couldn't be more proud to stand by them as we collaborate to expand the Mentor Program and bring even more opportunities to women entrepreneurs.