Plugging In: Mentoring

Each issue, WILMA includes a Plugging In directory to help you connect locally. This time, we’re focusing on mentoring resources to help connect people to advisers in all fields, from academics to business. Let us know about your organization by emailing editor@wilmingtonbiz.com.

Cameron Executive Network: The Cameron Executive Network is a part of the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Cameron School of Business. The volunteer network is composed of current and retired business executives dedicated to the professional development of undergraduate business students. CEN provides one-on-one mentoring where executives help students with career planning, resume preparation, interviewing skills, and networking. Learn more about its purpose here.

Info: uncw.edu/academics/colleges/csb/points-of-excellence/cameron-executive-network

CFCC Peer Mentoring Program: Cape Fear Community College offers a peer mentoring program to help new students navigate the transition to college life. New students (mentees) are paired with experienced CFCC students (mentors) with regular individual and group meetings and a meet-and-greet at the start of the fall semester.

Info: cfcc.edu/student-life/mentoring-program

WILMA Leadership Mentoring: Up-and-coming women in the community are matched with mentors to assist with their leadership development. These mentoring relationships offer support, chances for growth, and advice to the mentees. Each year, a call for mentee applications opens for the year-round program. Applications will be open through the month of August, and the program runs from October to September. Those who participated in WILMA Leadership programs during the previous year are invited to apply.

Info: WILMAmag.com/leadership/mentoring

Women Business Owners Council: The Women Business Owners Council is part of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and is designed for established female entrepreneurs looking to scale their operations. This group provides a peer-to-peer mentoring environment where members exchange high-level expertise on strategic growth, employee management, and financial sustainability. To qualify, businesses must have been operating for at least one year, employ at least one person, and hold a small business level membership or higher with the chamber.

Info: wilmingtonchamber.org/women-business-owners-council

Women in Business: The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce’s program is dedicated to empowering, educating, and entertaining emerging and established women in the workplace by providing guidance, support, resources, and opportunities to be successful in the business world. It functions as a network where women of influence in the community are recognized in part for their roles of supporting and mentoring women in business.

Info: brunswickcountychamber.org/women-in-business

CIE Mentor Program: The UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) mentors are community advisers who work with entrepreneurs with high-growth, innovative ventures. About 150 CIE mentors are available to help entrepreneurs, with about 70% of them working as attorneys, investors, software developers, digital marketing experts, founders, and more, and 30% of the mentors are retired C-suite executives and past founders. CIE mentors meet in teams with entrepreneurs to provide advice for six months to help founders reach their next milestone. The CIE Mentor Program is available to both UNCW- and community-based startup ventures.

Info: uncw.edu/research/centers/innovation-entrepreneurship/mentors

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