Magenta Mentoring Programme expands with new mentor training curriculum
by The Magenta Project 22 Sep 2023 10:55 BST
Magenta Mentoring Programme © Maite Fernandez Alonso
Over 30 women from 15 countries around the world have been shortlisted as Mentee candidates for the 2023/24 Magenta Mentoring Programme, which starts its sixth annual programme in October. New this year, The Magenta Project (TMP) expands the 9-month international mentoring programme with an advanced Mentors online training curriculum to better serve the diverse needs of The Magenta Project's growing global network.
The Magenta Mentoring Programme, established in 2016, has supported the development and careers of over 200 women in the industry. The non-profit, and subsequent flagship mentoring programme, was established by members of the all-female Volvo Ocean Race Team SCA campaign to create a collective community that would help drive change and more opportunities for women in professional sailing.
The new Mentor curriculum has been designed to further advance the structure and support of this world-renowned mentoring programme. As the programme has expanded its reach and offering for more mentees in STEM and shoreside careers, The Magenta Project has recruited many new mentors who are all experts in their fields. To support new and returning mentors on their mentoring journey, The Magenta Project has established the monthly "TMP Take30" Mentor Meetings, which bring in leadership and coaching experts for half hour mentoring workshops for the global group online.
"I've been extremely lucky to have had incredible mentors throughout my business and sailing careers. I also know the best kind of mentors aren't born, they are bred. I am thrilled to be able to tap my academic mentors from undergraduate and MBA global leadership degrees at Seton Hall and Tufts Universities, who have supported me personally and the development of this curriculum," shared Executive Director Meg Reilly. In 2022, Reilly advanced from volunteer mentor to Executive director of The Magenta Project, first launching the 9-month mentee online curriculum last edition and now this year expanding the mentor support structure and curriculum.
Topics covered in the new Magenta Mentoring Curriculum: Goal Setting, Values & Drivers, Art of Mentoring, Mental Strength Training, Leadership Styles & Strengths. The "TMP Take30" Mentor Meetings are designed to be quick half hour monthly meetings online to share useful mentoring resources, exercises, and provide peer support. Sessions will be led by Executive Director and leadership coach Meg Reilly, as well as TMP Programmes Chair, Marjoleine Hulshof People and Organisation Lead at Investec, and other industry experts.
The Magenta Project Mentoring Programme is much more than just the one-on-one mentoring relationship. The international non-profit's community continues to grow and support each other as the female talent pool rises together. The servant leadership ethos of the organisation drives a global giving-first community: 92% of 2022/23 Mentors reported that they were able to help other Mentees/Mentors with their personal network, while 75% of Mentors have reported receiving a personal benefit from being part of The Magenta Project network.
"Being a part of The Magenta Project mentoring program has allowed me to share my network and also increase my network worldwide. It was great getting to know some of the other mentors and helping to "connect the dots" for some mentee projects," Jane Millman, Mentor & Director of Basic Sail Training at US Naval Academy.
Millman helped fellow USA mentor-mentee pair Chelsea Freas and Maya Hoffman "connect the dots" with the local Annapolis community to secure a boat and support for their all-female Annapolis 2 Newport Race campaign "Leading the Change." While The Magenta Project's mentors and mentees all come from different backgrounds, they are brought together by the shared mission and passion to support the next generation of talent.
The Magenta Project's mission is to drive more equity and inclusion across the board in the sailing industry. The global non-profit welcomes men, women, teams, classes, MNAs, corporations and other non-profit organisations to join the cause and get involved as mentors, volunteers, or affiliates. Final applications to serve as mentor in the 2023/24 Magenta Mentoring Programme are due Friday, 22 September. Visit www.themagentaproject.org/mentoring to learn more and apply.
More quotes for our 2022/23 Mentors:
"The Magenta Project is full of women around the world working in the sport of sailing in so many different capacities - it is inspirational to see so many women come together to carve their own pathways in the sport we all love!" Sara Stone, Mentor & US Professional Sailor
"Mentoring is very rewarding as you can encourage and support fellow female sailors to reach incredible heights - it's always a win-win!" Annie O'Sullivan, Mentor, Performance Coach & RYA Yacht Master Instructor
"The Mentoring Scheme is a proven fast track to the top of the sport." Andy James, Mentor & Royal Naval Officer
"The Magenta Mentoring Programme provides great ideas and experiences exchange." Elvira Llabres, Mentor & Performance Analyst - The America's Cup.