The FORTUNE/U.S. State Department Global Women's Mentoring Partnership is a high-touch program drawing on the knowledge and expertise of America’s most accomplished leaders to empower aspiring women professionals across the globe.

This annual program combines leadership training, networking and professional development with a working mentorship program that provides “mentees” - international emerging businesswomen - with the tools they need to succeed. Top American female executives - Fortune's Most Powerful Women - act as “mentors” for these emerging women leaders.

Since the inaugural program in 2006, Vital Voices and its partners have empowered a total of 119 international emerging businesswomen working in 39 countries across the globe. In 2010, Vital Voices, the U.S. Department of State and FORTUNE Most Powerful Women Summit are pleased to welcome the participation of approximately 35 promising women leaders from various countries across the globe.      

THE PROGRAM   

The Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership prepares mentees to move forward in their careers and introduces a “pay it forward” model of leadership that promotes mentees’ efforts to build better businesses and promote positive change in their communities.

The Mentoring Partnership program consists of three phases: orientation, mentorship and evaluation.                            

Orientation:

Each year, the program kicks off with a four-day orientation in Washington DC. While in Washington, mentees engage in teambuilding activities, training workshops, informational panel discussions and networking events.

High-level women leaders in government, academia, civil society, media and business meet with international participants to engage in dialogue and share their personal experience. Mentees are also integrated into Vital Voices programming opportunities as well as its Global Leadership Network of over 8,000 women in 127 countries worldwide.

Mentorship:   

Following the orientation program in Washington D.C., international participants relocate to the offices of one of FORTUNE’s Most Powerful Women for an onsite mentorship assignment. Over the course of three weeks, mentees shadow their mentor and learn from the best practices of their host company.

Evaluation:   

At the end of their three-week mentorship experience, the international women leaders reconvene in New York City for a closing program to discuss lessons learned and reflect on the future direction of their leadership path.     

Upon returning to their home countries, Vital Voices continues to engage alumnae in its events, programs and local networks. The international participants are encouraged to join local businesswomen’s networks supported by Vital Voices as well as the organization’s local and/or regional Network Chapters. Additionally, many of the program alumnae return home inspired to implement their own projects to benefit their community, such as Global Women’s Mentoring Walk Events.

The 2010 FORTUNE/U.S. State Department Global Women's Leaders Mentoring Partnership will take place April 25-May 21.

Learn More

• Mentoring Walk site
• Middle East and North Africa Businesswomen's Network
• Africa Businesswomen's Network
• FORTUNE Most Powerful Women