Women in Cable Telecommunications ™ | ROCKY MOUNTAIN

• Six-month program with mandatory team meetings (spring and fall), several optional roundtable meetings and a culminating program celebration.
• Mentees must be current WICT members to participate (or must join WICT and pay the membership fee upon applying to the program).
• $375 fee for mentees.
• Mentors are not required to be WICT members, however it is strongly recommended.
• The mentoring program is facilitated by Skye Associates, which provides study materials and oversight of the full-day kickoff meeting.
• Mentors must sign confidentiality and non-solicitation agreements.

The program consists of approximately eight mentors and groups formed based upon a 3:1 mentee-mentor ratio. Mentoring teams will be formed based on developmental interests. Each team agree on times to meet in person every 4-6 weeks. The team will determine the topics to be addressed. In addition, the mentor will make him or herself available throughout the six-month period for individual meetings and phone calls as requested by mentees.

How are mentors assigned to mentees?

Mentors complete applications to help the steering committee best match mentors with mentees. Profiles of the mentors will be publicized and mentees must indicate preferences. Mentees will be asked a series of questions about their personal and professional goals as well as the qualities they are looking for in a mentor.

When do I apply to the program?

You can apply to participate in the Fall program between late September and mid-October and the Spring program between March and early-April. Participants will be notified of their participation and informed of training and other program logistics within that month.

What is the mentoring roadmap?

The mentoring program is a journey in self-discovery and growth for both mentors and mentees. To help participants gain the most from the program, we follow a mentoring roadmap—themed “A well-rounded you”—which is broken into four phases:

1. It’s all about your mindset
2. It’s all about your behavior
3. It’s all about your learning
4. It’s all about us

I’m a mentor. How do I get prepared for the program?

A mandatory mentoring workshop will be held to prepare mentors to facilitate the program objectives for their mentoring teams. Also, a mandatory kickoff meeting will be held for both mentors and mentees—to be facilitated by Skye Associates. At this meeting mentors and mentees will begin developing their mentoring goals and expectations and the groups will determine mutually convenient times for group meetings and the topics to be discussed at them.

Being a mentor offers many wonderful benefits. As a WICT mentor, you will have the opportunity to:

 

Build your mentoring skills – Mentors learn effective mentoring and coaching styles, active listening techniques and how to give and receive feedback. Build your leadership skills –

Mentors have the opportunity to discuss effective and ineffective mentoring techniques with key executives at other companies. By building your network, you will gain the knowledge and insights of leaders from other organizations.

 

Expand your network – Not only will you meet other leaders in the industry, your mentees may refer qualified job candidates, introduce you to other professionals and provide access to key leaders in other companies.

 

Build your communication skills – The mentoring program gives you opportunities to continue to develop your communication skills by listening, offering feedback and constructive criticism, and more.

 

Obtain a fresh perspective – Your mentees’ perspectives on the issues affecting your industry and workplace will help you be a more effective leader. Mentees face different challenges than you in their roles, and through the mentoring program, you can gain their insights.

 

Influence others – Your mentees may turn to you for advice in difficult situations. In return, you will offer encouragement and ideas, drawing on your past experiences. Thanks to your guidance, you’ll help shape effective leaders in our industry.

 

Being a mentor is a great way for you to develop your leadership skills, but it is also an excellent way to help women grow in their careers. Your mentees are eager to learn more about your career path, knowledge and expertise. Through the WICT mentoring program, you will gain personal satisfaction in your ability to help your mentees further their professional careers.

The success of the WICT mentoring program is highly dependent upon your leadership and participation. As a mentor, you are expected to:

• Attend all of the mandatory mentoring program meetings.
• Coordinate and schedule group meetings (every 4-6 weeks). Mentors often suggest meetings to coincide with WICT events or other mentoring program events, making scheduling much easier.
• Encourage your mentoring group to attend all WICT program offerings (and mentoring program offerings).
• Be available for one-on-one meetings and discussions. Past successful mentors made efforts to connect with their mentees at least once every three weeks via email or phone.
• Guide the mentees to take advantage of the tools provided by the mentoring program. This includes the development plans that your mentees will construct as a result of the kickoff meeting.
• Advise mentoring program co-chairs of updates in mentees’ contact information or situations.

The WICT Rocky Mountain mentoring program began in 2002. To date, more than 450 members have taken advantage of this opportunity for personal and professional growth. In 2009, the program received second place for Mentoring Excellence from WICT national. In our commitment to continuously innovating and improving the program, in 2010, WICT partnered with Skye Associates to leverage the most successful elements of the program and to expand into areas that strengthen the mentoring experience.

The mentoring program has an active alumni group to encourage former participants to maintain a long-term connection with their peers and mentors. This group comes together at mentoring program alumni events and stays connected through LinkedIn.

If you would like to talk about the mentoring program with a past mentor, contact one of the mentoring program directors. Former mentors include:

• Vicki Adney, General Manager, Bresnan Communication
• Trish Bragg, Vice President, HBO
• Jill Christiansen, Vice President Customer Care, DST
• Jean Duane, Founder, Strategic Projects
• Wendy Farley, Vice President Government Affairs, Comcast
• Charlotte Fields, SVP, Comcast Communications
• Erin Geegan, Executive Director, Volcanic Seeds
• Elise Howes, Finance Director, Level3
• Cindy Humphrey, Regional Vice President, Qwest
• Regina Hutchinson, VP Learning and Safety, Adelphia
• Cathy Kilstrom, SVP Customer Care, Comcast Mountain Division
• Cathy Kuo, SVP Marketing and Sales, WOW
• Janae Limongelli, Corporate Marketing Manager, International Networks
• John Maring, Managing VP, Communications Industry, Hitachi Consulting
• Lisa Marie, Corporate Training Consultant, Adelphia
• Nancy McGee, Senior Vice President, Adelphia
• Sandy Monahan, Director of Strategic Operations, Convergys
• Tiffany Payne, Public Relations Manager, Comcast Colorado
• Dayna Piper, Director Human Resources, Time Warner Cable
• Ellen Quest, Executive Director of Research, Starz Entertainment Group
• Susan Rardin, Vice President Customer Care, Comcast
• Steve Raymond, SVP National Accounts/Western Division, ESPN
• Kim Reid, Founder, Reid Performance Group
• Megan Reyes, Senior Director Industry and Corporate Affairs, ICG
• Suzanne Sell, Director Program Research, Starz Entertainment Group
• Tawnya Snyder, Architect, Level3
• Bill Solis, Vice President Service Delivery, Comcast
• Linda Williams, VP HR, Time Warner National Division

Many mentors and mentees have gone on to be successful executives, gala honorees and nationally recognized by WICT for their contributions to WICT and the industry. Some of these names are:

• Judi Allen – Woman of the Year, WICT Rocky Mountain
• Cindy Bennett – Woman to Watch, WICT Rocky Mountain
• Kelly Bumann – Woman of the Year, WICT Rocky Mountain
• Shelly Humphreys – Woman to Watch, WICT Rocky Mountain
• Regina Hutchinson – Woman of the Year, WICT Rocky Mountain
• Cathy Kilstrom –Woman of the Year, WICT Rocky Mountain
• Marti Moore - Woman in Technology / Innovation, WICT Rocky Mountain
• Jill Stark – Woman of the Year, WICT Rocky Mountain
• Missy Wood – Woman of the Year, WICT Rocky Mountain

Fall 2011 Mentoring Events

Date	Time	Event
11/3/11	8:00am-5:00pm	Mandatory Kickoff and Development
12/8/11	8:00am-10:00am	Roundtable 1
1/31/12	8:00am-11:00am	Mandatory Mid-Point Checkpoint for Mentoring Program Participants
3/27/12	8:00am-10:00am	Roundtable 2
5/4/12	11:00am-1:00pm	Mandatory Program Conclusion, Celebration Luncheon