> What is a Mentor?

A mentor is a professional with relevant wine industry experience that they are then willing to share with others for the purpose of growth and professional development. A mentor listens, provides feedback, shares ideas, and essentially helps the mentee to learn and grow in the area(s) of focus.

> What is a Mentee?

A mentee is someone who wishes to advance in their field and who believes that the guidance and help of a mentor can help them better achieve their professional goals. A mentee must open to being advised, trained, and counseled by a mentor.

>What is the time commitment?

The commitment is a minimum one hour per month for nine months from February through August. In addition, there will be a one-hour orientation session for all participants in late November/early December. There will be additional opportunities to be involved such as social events and trainings, but they are optional.

> Why should I join this program?

Mentorship is a mutually beneficial relationship where, though there may be significant variances in age and experience, both participants learn and grow during their time together. Though the mentor may seem to “gift” time, attention, and leverage, the mentee also provides value to the mentor as they will have different perspectives, insights, and lived experience.

Participants will benefit from increasing their leadership skills, introductions to key players in the industry, and networking opportunities.

> What is expected of me as mentor?

At a minimum, mentors and mentees are expected to attend one training on how to develop a mentorship relationship (November/December) and to meet for at least one hour a month for nine months with their mentee (February-August).

Since a mentorship relationship is based on trust, both the mentor and mentee are responsible for determining the best cadence to achieve the outcomes of the relationship. This may mean choosing to meet more frequently than just the required once a month. At the completion of the program, it is up to the mentor and mentee to determine if the relationship should continue. It is not required or expected.

> How does matching taking place?

Applicants to the Alliance mentorship program will be asked about their career aspirations and professional development goals. The mentor-mentee matches will be paired by the mentorship committee based on this information.

> What if it’s a bad match?

If you feel the match isn’t the right fit or you are facing scheduling or communicantion problems, please contact Samantha Mallery, Mentorship Director, at mentorship@awwawine.org. We will talk with both parties about the issues to determine next steps.

> Skills & Qualifications

> Mentees

• Minimum two (2) years of experience in the wine & grape industry
• Desire to advance themselves and careers

> Mentors

• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in the grape & wine industry
• Proven leadership and communication skills