AFP WII Mentoring and Leadership Development Program

An accomplished nonprofit executive, Joy Chesbrough draws on more than two decades of experience in her role as founder and CEO of nonprofit consulting firm Philanthrovation. An active member of the larger philanthropic field, Joy Chesbrough belongs to professional groups such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

Founded more than 50 years ago, AFP has emerged as the leading professional organization for individuals in the fundraising and nonprofit industries. In addition to advocating for the industry at the legislative level, AFP offers a range of professional development, educational, and networking programs, including the Women’s Impact Initiative (WII) Mentoring and Leadership Development Program.

A new program for 2019, the WII initiative is designed to help women in the fundraising industry develop the leadership skills and training needed for executive organizational positions. In recent years, women have increasingly entered the fundraising sector and now make up nearly 70 percent of all AFP members. Despite this, women hold only about 20 percent of executive positions.

The new leadership program will match early-to-mid-career women in the field of fundraising with experienced mentors for a 10-month mentorship period. In addition to one-on-one coaching from an industry veteran, mentees accepted into the program will receive benefits such as credits toward tuition for AFP courses, free registration for the 2019 AFP Women’s Impact Summit, and a range of skills-based training sessions. 

To learn more about the WII Mentoring and Leadership Development Program, please visit afpidea.org/wii/mentoring_program.

Mentoring Matters for Female Business Leaders

The founder and chief executive officer of Philanthrovation, Joy Chesbrough is a nonprofit leader with more than two decades of experience in executive management. In addition to acting as the head of her own company, Joy Chesbrough advocates for women in leadership.

According to a study from McKinsey & Company, the presence of women on leadership teams improves overall corporate performance. While 2018 has seen an upward trend of more women entering leadership roles in business, there is still a long way to go. Many professionals believe that one important factor in the growth of female leadership is strong workplace mentors.

Finding the right mentor can be challenging, but businesswomen who hope to find one for themselves can do several things to make the process more fulfilling. 

First, professionals recommend reaching out to those in your network to let them know that you’re seeking a mentor. Recommendations from a colleague you trust can help make the process go smoothly. 

Second, when meeting with a prospective mentor, make sure you are aligned on the intent of what you envision your goals and objectives to be and how the mentor can support you in this endeavor.

Finally, women who benefit from mentorship should consider paying it forward by volunteering as mentors themselves. No matter where you are in your professional development or career, there is always someone who can benefit from your knowledge and expertise..