The Richmond SHRM Mentoring Program was developed to serve as the trusted facilitator of professional connections and mentoring relationships that are of crucial importance to an HR professional’s career. Through advice, guidance, coaching, mentoring,
skill enhancement, and personal leadership development, the mentee will learn in a safe and supportive environment. We strive to help mentees develop professionally, and create connections with experienced HR practitioners and in turn have the mentees
give back to the Richmond HR community. Our mentors are dedicated HR professionals who are working to help those around them understand the importance of the profession and how to excel in their career by offering advice and development opportunities.
Who Can Participate?
You must be a Richmond SHRM member in good standing with the chapter to participate as either a mentor or a mentee. If you are not currently a member, you may apply for chapter membership concurrent with your program application.
The mentee curriculum (cohort and 1:1 meetings) is designed for individuals:
With at least 3 years of professional experience, including individuals with an active HR role or someone currently enrolled in an HR degree program
Who want to grow both personally and professionally
Who are open to learning from the cohort activities and willing to take feedback from their mentor
The mentor role is designed for individuals:
Who are experienced HR practitioners (8+ years of HR experience or a people management role
With a compassionate and caring approach to professional development
Who have a desire to give back in a way that makes a difference in the HR community
Our program is best-suited for individuals who are collaborative, self-motivated, and have the ability to commit a minimum of 3-4 hours a month to learning and development activities associated with a cohort program and 1:1 meetings. (More details on specific qualifications and program details are outlined below.)
Overview
Cohort Meetings: Participants will be provided with an opportunity to learn from peers participating in the program, as well as seasoned HR professionals who design and facilitate the cohort meetings. The design of cohort meetings will
include time for collaboration, networking, and group discussions. Participants will be asked to lend insights during our discussions and will be expected to participate in the four (quarterly) meetings. There will be a mixture of virtual and in-person
components.
1:1 Meetings: The program will include traditional 1:1 mentor to mentee interactions and the pairs will be expected to meet at least once a month. Communication to prepare for and follow-up from these 1:1 meetings is expected. The format
of these meetings is up to the discretion of the pairs.
Topics for the cohort and 1:1 meetings will focus on concepts such as: Relationship Building, Career Conversations, Propelling the Profession of HR Forward, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Reflection, and Long-Term Success.
Logistics: Richmond SHRM will sponsor a maximum of 8 participants (8 mentors to match with 8 mentees) for the 2025 calendar year. If selected to participate in the program, mentees will be matched with a mentor. Matching is based on experience
level, personal and professional interests, developmental goals, and other attributes. All mentors and mentees are expected to commit to the mission of the program and the mentoring relationship during their time in the program.
Program Onboarding: Mentees will participate in a Mentee 101 onboarding session to review program expectations and resources to guide success in the program. Mentors will proactively support mentees in making progress towards his/her
career goals. Guidance for mentors will be shared during a Mentor 101 orientation session.
Provide a venue for career driven professionals to engage with and learn from local HR leaders.
Facilitate relationship building for emerging leaders in order to expand their networks and share professional knowledge and experience.
Encourage participants to identify and apply their own unique strengths to their personal and professional leadership journeys
Facilitate continued professional development and reflection
Benefits
Conversations with a dynamic line-up of HR leaders in the Greater Richmond Region.
An expanded network of professionals representing a variety of industries and backgrounds in the Richmond community.
Understanding of the complexity and variance of career paths within the HR profession.
A better understanding and appreciation of your strengths, and ways to apply them in your personal and professional life.
Facilitated reflection and exploration of own personal and professional development
Opportunities for growth - to examine yourself, your leadership, and your community with a different lens
Qualifications
Participation is limited. Richmond SHRM Mentors and Mentees must be active members at the time of participation.
Mentors must have eight (8) or more years of HR experience with at least three (3) years in a supervisory capacity.
Mentees should have at least three (3) years of professional human resources or HR Development experience.
Pairs of Mentors and Mentees work independently and collaborate as a cohort throughout the year.
Mentors provide career advice, share HR/Business knowledge, introduce new networking opportunities, and create a space for both parties to continue their personal and professional development.
Our Mentoring Program is best suited for individuals who are collaborative, self-motivated, and can commit time to learning and development activities associated with their individual development in a cohort style program.
Complete program application.
Format of Program
The 2025 Cohort will meet through a mixture of in person and virtual components from March - December. Please note that the quarterly cohort meetings are separate from the one-on-one meetings between mentor/mentee.
If you have questions regarding the execution of the program, please reach out to Executive Director, Townley Goldsmith-Ray at tgoldsmith-ray@richmondshrm.org.
Application, Initial Mentor/Mentee Meeting, Mentor/Mentee Training (January-March)
~3 hours
Ongoing
Monthly or Bi-Monthly Mentor/Mentee Individual Meetings (March – October)
1-2 hours per month (8-16)
Texting or emailing with Mentor/Mentee outside of official meetings (March-October)
~1 hour per month (~8 total)
Quarterly Cohort Meetings – includes Kick-Off and Wrap-Up (April, June, September, November)
5 hours
Monthly independent research or preparation activities to help facilitate Mentor/Mentee Meetings and assignments for Cohort Meetings (March-November)
1 hour per month (9 total)
Total
~38 hours minimum PER YEAR
Cohort Meetings Schedule
Meeting Date
Meeting Time
Topic
Friday, April 11
9:30 - 10:30 am
Meeting 1 – Program Kick-Off & Cohort Meeting - Virtual
Thursday, June 26
9:00 - 10:30 am
Meeting 2 – Cohort Meeting - In-Person
Thursday, September 18
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Meeting 3 – Cohort Meeting - Virtual
Thursday, November 6
9:00 - 10:30 am
Meeting 4 – Program Wrap-Up & Cohort Meeting - In-Person
The cohort group will meet quarterly with a mixture of in person and virtual components. These meetings are separate from the one-on-one meetings between mentor/mentee.
Further information on cohort meeting format (virtual or in-person) will be released soon.
Things to keep in mind if you are accepted into Richmond SHRM’s Mentoring Program:
General Expectations
Maintain open communication between you and the Mentor/Mentee you are paired with, as well as with the Program Leadership.
Have a clear understanding of WHY you want to participate in this program and what you want to get out of it.
Attend monthly or bi-monthly Mentor/Mentee 1:1 meetings. Bring questions, concerns, problems, successes, alternatives, and ideas to your regular meetings.
Attend the 4 Cohort meetings.
Mutual respect - we all have something to offer, and respect is key.
Recognize that each of you committed to the program but also that things do come up - be available, remain committed, yet flexible.
Follow through on agreements and take time to listen and reflect.
Be trustworthy and withhold personal judgement.
Respect the privacy and time of the other party - show up on time and be prepared.
Be open-minded about learning and teaching new ideas, concepts, or life hacks.
Take photos of you all together and have fun!
Keep your interactions positive and understand how you can grow from failure. If there is a disagreement or issue, please report it immediately to the Program Leadership.
Feel free to share suggestions for the program with Townley Goldsmith-Ray (Executive Director).
Mentor Expectations
Provide overall support, guidance, and serve as a role model/confidant for your mentee.
Assist in career navigation, professional development, and share advice/information as appropriate.
Address your mentee's needs as best you can but know that you cannot possibly have the answer to everything.
Clearly understand your mentee's motivations and desires. Help formulate a plan to continue him/her on this path.
Introduce your mentee to your professional contacts to help them build their network.
Be honest about any concerns you may have with the Mentee directly and with RSHRM Program Leadership.
Mentee Expectations
Be proactive - take initiative in seeking feedback, setting up meetings, continuing to build on the relationship.
Follow through - put feedback into action and report back.
Be clear about what you need from your mentor, but do not ask them to do your job for you.
Be receptive - listen to the Mentor's feedback and engage with them in conversation about the why.
Mentor/Mentee One-on-One Meeting Parameters
Gather once or twice a month in-person or virtually.
Find a rhythm that works for you all! Find a time that you can both meet - coffee before work, lunch time, or after work.
Exchange numbers, emails, and send calendar invites to stay on track.
Text when you need something or just to say hello and good luck.
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