From mentor to protege, the accumulative experience of the seasoned executive constitutes a treasure that can to be given to those who come after. A multitude of women’s networking groups and organizations exist but often, it is the one on one exchange of knowledge and shared experiences that can have the greatest impact on an individual’s career path.

Women in Management has instituted a Peer-to-Peer advisory program that serves well as a model for all to follow.

“The Peer-to-Peer member Advisory program is the deliberate pairing of a skilled experienced person with a person who wants to acquire skills or experience in some particular areas. For the past several years, the Advisory program has paired WIM members as mentors and protégés to explore a new field, polish a business plan, gain confidence, clarify goals, and achieve career aspirations. A mentor and a protégé enter into an agreement to interact with the goal of having the protégé grow and develop specific competencies. The leadership, counseling and interpersonal skills of the mentor are also positively impacted as a result of this relationship.

Each year, mentors and protégés are scheduled to meet twice within a 6-week period of time for dinner. Each pair, dining by themselves, has the opportunity to spend two evenings of uninterrupted time together. They may communicate between the regularly scheduled sessions if they like.”