Speed Mentorship at ECO IMPACT 2025

What Attendees Experienced

On February 12, young professionals gained quick, personalized insights from industry leaders in our fast-paced Speed Mentorship session. It was a chance to ask questions, broaden networks, and discover career pathways in the environmental sector.

This unique opportunity allowed mid-to-senior-level professionals to give back, inspire, and shape the next generation of talent. They shared their expertise, provided guidance, and helped mentees navigate their career journeys.

Participants reconvened on February 13 for deeper conversations in the “Mentor-Mentee Connections” session, featuring an open discussion and networking lunch to build lasting relationships.

It was an opportunity not to be missed to grow a career—or help someone else grow theirs!

Speed Mentorship Schedule

7:30 AM to 8:30 AM MT
Morning: Breakfast and Mentor-Mentee Pairing

Breakfast and Mentor-Mentee Pairing

Mentees are grouped by discipline (e.g. Oceans, Agri-food, Agriculture, Engineering, Sustainability).
Each group meets with their assigned mentor over breakfast.
Mentors introduce themselves, discuss their career journey, and share insights about navigating the industry.
Mentors provide the day’s task list to mentees:
- Networking Challenge: Mentees must identify and engage with at least 3 professionals from different disciplines during the day.
- Session Summary: Attend a session relevant to their field and discuss it with their group at lunch.

12:30 PM to 1:30 PM MT
Midday: Lunch and Reflection

Lunch and Reflection

Groups reconvene with their mentor to discuss progress.

Mentees share takeaways from their morning programming, focusing on their session summaries and networking experiences.

Mentors provide feedback and refine mentees’ approaches for the rest of the day.

4:30 PM to 5:30 PM MT
Afternoon Free Time: Wrap-Up and Check-In

Wrap-Up and Check-In

Groups meet again in a relaxed setting during the free time before the gala.

Mentees share their insights from the problem-solving activity and reflect on what they learned.

Mentors select standout mentees based on engagement, effort, and insights to continue shadowing on Day 2.

7:00 PM to 10:00 PM MT
Evening: Gala Event

Gala Event

Mentees and mentors attend the gala, providing further opportunities for informal networking.

8:30 AM to 12:30 PM MT
Morning: Mentor Shadowing

Mentor Shadowing

Selected mentees shadow their mentors, gaining behind-the-scenes insight into their activities, whether attending meetings, speaking engagements, or networking sessions.

Mentees observe how mentors navigate professional environments and represent their fields.

12:30 PM to 1:30 PM MT
Midday: Networking Lunch

Networking Lunch

Mentors and their shadowing mentees join a networking lunch, allowing mentees to build connections with other mentors and professionals.

Mentees can practice introducing themselves and discussing their career aspirations.

2:00 PM to 3:30 PM MT
Afternoon: Shadowing Continued

Shadowing Continued

Mentees continue shadowing their mentors, observing them in different contexts, such as panel discussions or strategic meetings.

3:45 PM to 4:30 PM MT
Wrap-Up and Feedback Session

Wrap-Up and Feedback Session

Mentors and mentees reconvene for a final wrap-up session.

Mentors provide personalized feedback and advice based on the mentee’s performance and engagement over the two days.

Opportunities for continued mentorship or career guidance are discussed.

Program Notes

Mentor Selection Criteria for Day 2: Engagement, initiative, problem-solving skills, and networking efforts observed on Day 1.
Follow-Up Opportunities: Encourage mentees to maintain communication with their mentors after the event, leveraging professional platforms like LinkedIn.
Flexibility: Tasks and shadowing schedules can be adapted based on mentor availability and mentee interests.