Building on Brock’s Women in Leadership (WIL) Initiative, the Deborah Rosati WIL Mentorship Program aims to create and sustain an inclusive mentoring community that fosters diversified knowledge, offers opportunities to learn from colleagues and creates meaningful connections across the campus and beyond.
The program matches mentees with experienced, knowledgeable and insightful mentors who can help mentees meet their professional and personal goals.
“The program was great to be able to broaden my network outside of Brock and learn about different organizational leadership styles.”
– mentee
“This program has led to what we believe will be a lifelong friendship.”
– mentee
“I always feel like I have lots to learn still and try to come into these relationships and experiences with gaining as much as giving.”
– mentor
“This program made me feel like I am in a better position to take on leadership roles in the future and actively seek them out.”
– mentee
Delivery of the program spans over five months and includes one group mentoring session per month. Each group mentoring session lasts approximately one hour, and includes a featured guest speaker, structured activities, and time for discussion. Mentor-mentee pairs are also expected to connect individually (virtually or in-person) at least twice a month during the program to help strengthen the mentoring relationship.
See Program Timeline for dates, times and guest speakers for group sessions.
The following dates are tentative but shared here to give an idea of what to expect. Details will be added as confirmed.
- Saturday, January 25, noon to 2 p.m. (Brock University main campus)
- special in-person program kick-off
- Guest Speaker: Deborah Rosati
- Wednesday, February 26, 6 to 7 pm (virtual)
- Guest Speaker: Khatija Qureshi
- Wednesday, March 26, noon to 1 p.m. (virtual)
- Guest Speaker: Salée Johnson-Edwards
- Wednesday, April 23, noon to 1 p.m. (virtual)
- Guest Speaker: Emily Giugovaz
- Saturday, May 24, noon to 2 p.m. (location to be confirmed)
- special in-person wrap-up session
Additional details and links to online sessions are shared directly with participants via email. Current registered mentors and mentees who require assistance can contact the Program Coordinator.
Mentor Eligibility Requirements:
- Reside in the Niagara area
- Be willing to adhere to all Women in Leadership Mentoring Program policies and procedures
- Agree to a one-cohort (five group sessions, 10 individual meetings) commitment to the program
- Commit to spending a minimum of two hours per month with the mentee
- Be willing to communicate with the mentee weekly
- Be willing to communicate regularly with the program coordinator
- Agree to attend mentor trainings as required
- Complete the screening procedure
- Not have falsified information during the course of the screening process
Mentee Eligibility Requirements:
- Reside in the Niagara area
- Demonstrate a desire to participate in the program and be willing to abide by all Women in Leadership Mentoring Program policies and procedures
- Agree to a one-cohort (five group sessions, 10 individual meetings) commitment to the program
- Commit to spending a minimum of two hours per month with the mentor
- Be willing to communicate with the mentor weekly
- Be willing to communicate regularly with the program coordinator
- Agree to attend mentee trainings as required
- Complete screening procedure
Women in Leadership is committed to supporting and advancing persons who identify as women to achieve and succeed in leadership. The Women in Leadership steering committee is comprised of influential women leaders within various areas of Brock who are responsible for determining priorities and planning future directions for the initiative. We thank the committee for their role in establishing and overseeing the WIL Mentorship program.
How to Apply
Interested participants who meet the eligibility requirements outlined above are encouraged to submit an application form (see below) or reach out to [email protected]. There is no participation fee for either mentees or mentors.
Applications for the January to May 2025 cohort are now closed. (Applications received after December 15, 2024, may be considered for a future cohort.)
We appreciate the interest of all mentors and mentee candidates. Acceptance into a session of the Deborah Rosati Women in Leadership Mentorship Program is contingent on the availability of suitable matches, based on an assessment of mutual needs, goals and availability.
The mentee application takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and can be found and submitted here.
The mentor application takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and can be found and submitted here.
Who is Deborah Rosati?
Founder and CEO of Women Get on Board Inc. and Brock University alumna, Deborah Rosati (BAdmin ’84) is a valued corporate director, accomplished entrepreneur and Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA) with more than 35 years of high growth and transformational leadership experience across several diverse sectors. A recipient of numerous awards and distinctions, Deborah has maintained close ties to Brock University, including a gift that made possible the establishment of a mentorship program for women.
Read about Deborah’s connections to Brock here.
Explore her personal website: https://deborahrosati.ca/
