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 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 and with a minimum turnover of one million euros, the opportunity to have a privileged relationship with a mentor. Through its voluntary 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

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They testify
Founded in 2010, the French Mentoring Program is today the largest and most successful program of its kind in France.

Our 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.

Our 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

European intercompany Mentoring Program for high potential women

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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 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

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.
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Asian intercompany Mentoring Program for high potential women

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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 of mentors mentees.

Testimonials on mentoring

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 TardonCEO 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 ClarkL’OREAL GROUP – HEAD OF GLOBAL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION – MENTOR

EUROPEAN INTER-COMPANY MENTORING PROGRAM FOR HIGH POTENTIAL WOMEN

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

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

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

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
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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 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.

  • 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.

More information

The testimonial of Frederic Thoral, HRD of BNP Paribas Personal Finance

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6 January 2022
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Testimonials

Why did you get involved with WIF? I wanted BNP Paribas Personal …

The testimonial of Annie Combelles, CEO Inspearit

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6 January 2022
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Testimonials

Annie Combelles starts her career as Project manager in SFENA (Société Française …

The testimonial of Laetitia Gazel-Anthoine, Founder of Connecthings, Managing Director Altavia Adventures

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6 January 2022
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Testimonials

Laetitia is the founder and CEO of Connecthing, the European leader in …