04 May 2022 Members Connect Program
“Data shows that women were heavily impacted in the workplace by COVID-19. It was something that many of our mentors mentioned being a reason why they signed up for our mentorship program this year, to give back to the community!” noted Ally Sebben, IABC Ottawa President, as she spoke about 2022 IABC Ottawa’s Members Connect Program which kicked off in February and will continue until June.
For the fourth year running, the IABC Ottawa members-only mentorship program has linked professional pairs aiming to connect communications professionals anywhere on the career roadmap through mentor-mentee couples that meet once a month. The Members Connect Program is a formal mentorship program that teams communications professionals with one another to share knowledge and build meaningful connections.
This year is unique since all mentors are women looking to give back to the community, helping fill the gap of job loss left by COVID-19. Also, mentorship-2022 reflects the diversity and multiculturalism of Canada.
Every year, pairs take part in the Members Connect Program. Anne-Marie and Kyle are one pair among the seven pairs taking part in the program this season.
“With COVID 19 restrictions lifting, I’m attending conferences and excited to see friends and colleagues,” said Anne-Marie Hayden, one of the current mentors, as she expressed her excitement about making in-person connections again. She is a communications strategist and privacy expert with a 20+ year career as a communications executive. She said that one of the first things she did when she launched her new business last year was renew her IABC membership. She said the resources she gained access to through the association have been great. Still, she looked for something more. “I love consulting, but I do miss the supporting aspect of managing teams, so I’m glad to be mentoring new PR pros via the IABC’s Mentorship Program. People should know they can reap membership benefits at any stage of their career.”
There are many reasons that IABC Ottawa members expressed interest in participating in the chapter’s Members Connect Program, but important ones are; building relationships, improving a skill set, and finding out the next step in one’s career.
“Networking is an important skill in our industry. Students especially should consider the Members Connect Program,” said Kyle Declare, a mentee participant and Public Relations student at Algonquin College, about IABC Ottawa’s Members Connect Program.
Anne-Marie’s mentee, Kyle, is delighted to be guided by his mentor’s many years of experience.
What are mentees’ expectations from IABC Ottawa’s Members Connect Program, and why do they participate in it? Kyle told us that one of his professors at Algonquin College suggested joining the program; she thought it would be beneficial for him to meet other communications professionals and extend their network. She also mentioned that fellow students from past years joined the mentorship program and found it valuable.
“I took my professor’s advice and went for it. No harm in trying, right? I’m happy I did! Anne-Marie has years of experience under her belt and it’s an honour getting to bounce ideas off such a seasoned professional, she’s very insightful.”
The program’s advantages are mutual. It’s an excellent chance for anyone seeking to transition from education to work, advance their career, or develop their skills. It’s also a rewarding position for seasoned leaders who want to share their hard-won knowledge and assist the younger generation in learning and growing, and in a recent gathering of mentors, they all agreed they learn a lot from their mentees as well.