The Secured Finance Foundation, in conjunction with SFNet’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, is excited to announce the launch of its Spring 2023 Mentorship Program. The program is designed to encourage diversity and foster inclusivity by enabling established veterans in the secured finance industry and those new to their careers to build relationships and learn from one another through a virtual mentoring initiative.

SFNet recognizes the value of a workforce that represents all members of its community and the importance of providing equal opportunities, but growth and development of those in the industry is just as important for DEI initiatives as is hiring and retaining. SFNet’s Mentoring Program will provide a supportive environment for Mentees to enhance their skills, gain valuable insights and network with professionals who share similar interests and experiences. Additionally, Mentors will have the opportunity to give back to their industry by sharing their expertise, experience, and insights by contributing to the development of the next generation of industry leaders.

Bianca Barredo Higgins, director – ABL Originations, MidCap Financial Services, and head of 2023’s mentorship initiative said, “I very much enjoyed being a mentor for SFNet. Even after the program ended last year my mentee and I still made time to chat regularly and still look forward to catching up with one other. Without this structured program I don’t think either of us would have gotten to know each other given we work for different organizations, serve different ends of the market and live on separate coasts!” 

SFNet’s virtual Mentorship Program is accepting applications now through Friday, May 26 .  The official program dates are June 19 - August 28. The program offers a series of 1:1 meetings, structured group events and online discussions, facilitated through a private LinkedIn page and Zoom meetings. The program's focus is on professional development, providing Mentees with the chance to engage in a variety of activities designed to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Mentoring allows more seasoned industry professionals to pay it forward and share their experiences they once learned.

“Throughout my career I have been fortunate to have formal and informal mentors who guided me through different challenges and provided a fresh perspective,” said 2022 Mentor Terry Keating, chief executive officer, Access Capital, Inc., who is returning to mentor again this year. “I’ve long felt that as business leaders, we have a responsibility to help prepare the next generation. Interestingly though, in mentoring, I am learning about the next generations and becoming a better leader,” Keating said.

Mentees have enjoyed having a mentor who can listen and share their experiences that are different from their own.

“There is certain knowledge that can only be gained through experience and this mentorship program provided a platform to access that experience in a casual setting,” said 2022 Mentee Parker McReynolds, investment banking senior associate, Citibank, N.A. “Through this program I had the opportunity to share the stage and develop relationships with senior professionals in the industry outside of my day-to-day network. The bi-weekly sessions focused on developing soft skills such as communication and presentation skills, in addition to trends in the industry and career exploration. The regular touchpoints with my mentor helped me grow, both personally and professionally, and the dialogue has continued long after the conclusion of the program.”

Veronica Macias, associate, Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP and 2022 Mentee said the program allowed her to grow professionally and personally. “I am so grateful for the mentorship program! As someone relatively new to the field, and still early in my career, I was looking for opportunities outside of work where I felt comfortable being vulnerable, asking questions and getting guidance. This program allowed me to do just that. I was grateful to get to know Rob Meyers throughout the process, who is a wonderful person and great mentor. It was a rewarding opportunity and I highly recommend the program to any folks considering it!”

"It is always such a rewarding experience to engage with our next generation of leaders. I was fortunate to get to know Veronica through the mentorship process and I look forward to seeing her dynamic work ethic and incredible personality flourish throughout her career,” said 2022 Mentor Robert Meyers, president, Republic Business Credit, who is returning for 2023’s iteration.

How to sign up

In order to be considered for the program, Mentors and Mentees must be either an employee of an SFNet Member Company (you can verify if you are part of a Member Company by checking our Member Directory) or a member of an SFNet Chapter.

To apply for the program, complete the Program Application. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis through the open enrollment application window, closing Friday, May 26. Accepted applicants will receive notification and an invitation to join the program’s LinkedIn private page via email, along with calendar invitations for upcoming events.

Pairing up

Upon acceptance into the program, Mentors are requested to post what inspired them to become a mentor, and what they enjoy most about mentoring. Mentees are requested to post what their career or personal goals are, and how they hope to benefit from the mentoring relationship.

Mentees are to review the LinkedIn posts shared by Mentors, as well as conduct their own research to make an informed decision about which three Mentors they would like to interview at a mandatory Speed Interviewing event on June 6. The speed interviewing event serves as the primary way for Mentees to get to know their Mentors and select their partners. Mentees will meet their top three Mentors (1:1) before selecting their partner and will have the opportunity to rank their choices based on their interactions and preferences. They will then be paired with one of the three Mentors for the duration of the program.

SFNet Program Manager - Education and Chapters, Alexis Turner (aturner@sfnet.com) and Mentor Champions will use this feedback to thoughtfully pair Mentors and Mentees by June 9. An introductory meeting will be held during the week of June 12-16 for the newly matched pairs to get to know each other. The official program will run for 11 weeks, from June 19 to August 28.

To fully maximize the benefits of joining the program, all participants are strongly encouraged to attend as many events as possible, including organic discussion prompts posted every week and structured group virtual meetings.

If you have any questions, please email Betty Lam at blam@sfnet.com.