How do you know if you’re ready to be a mentor? For Shannon Kerwin, Associate Professor of Sport Management, the realization came gradually.

At the next Women in Leadership meeting, Kerwin, who studies organizational behaviour and human resource management in sport, will discuss the literature that points to the need for mentors to advance the movement towards gender equity in academia and sport.

She will also talk about why she hesitated to embrace that role herself, despite knowing the research and seeing elements of mentoring in her own life.

Drawing on personal stories, Kerwin will talk about the journey that finally led her to “overcome feelings of inferiority, to stand up and be an ally, be a champion for change, and take the place of mentor that has been privileged upon me.”

The Women in Leadership meeting will take place Tuesday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to noon, which is a different time from previous sessions. It will be delivered through Microsoft Teams and will be recorded. Click here for details and instructions on how to join.

Details on this and other upcoming sessions, including dates, descriptions and links to join, are available on the Women in Leadership website.

Women in Leadership aims to support women in formal and informal leadership positions and encourage the next generation of potential women leaders. All women and allies are invited to attend. Individuals are welcome to join the WIL channel on Microsoft Teams or to contact Jeannie Mackintosh to be added to the WIL email distribution list.