As part of our overall diversity and inclusion efforts, the VBA has created the Women’s Mentorship Program to assist our member banks with preparing the talented women within your banks for future senior leadership positions.

Our research shows that women often don’t recognize their own talent and need someone to identify the potential for future success in leadership.

In this program, mentor/mentee pairs will participate in a 10-month experience involving one-on-one interaction and discussion combined with training and regional networking opportunities.

This program is designed to help:

• Motivate women to explore their potential and focus on their development within the bank
• Enhance their knowledge of bank management and their role in the success of the organization
• Empower women to set goals and develop a path for achievement
• Connect with peers in the industry

Program Components: What the VBA Provides

• Formal Mentor and Mentee Training In-Person at the VBA
• Bi-Monthly Industry and Development Focus Themes
  • One-Hour Topical Webinars Presented by Industry Experts
  • Bi-Monthly Emails to Mentors and Mentees with:
    • Discussion Guides
    • Resources and Templates
    • Suggested Readings
• Regional Networking Opportunities
• Opening and Closing Events

Identifying Mentors/Mentees:

• Banks will identify Mentor/Mentee partners within the organization and will register them together for the program.
• Mentors can be men or women.
• Mentees will be women.
• The Mentor/Mentee partners will attend the opening and closing events together and will meet separately and one-on-one back at the bank on a mutually agreed upon schedule over the course of 10 months from March through December.
• Mentors/Mentees should be:
  • Ready to learn from each other
  • Supportive of the idea of building a network of women in banking
  • Committed to learning and applying lessons from this experience for the benefit of the organization and each other
  • Driven with a focus on growth, both personally and professionally
  • Prepared to spend time as a team before, during and after each one-on-one meeting

Important Program Dates:

December 2, 2021

Program Kickoff and Mentor/Mentee Orientation

January 10, 2022

Understanding Bank Management Content Release

Content: Bank Financial Management

Guide: Michelle Austin, EVP and COO, Bank of Botetourt

Content: Leading a Bank

Guide: Maria Tedesco, President, Atlantic Union Bank

March 14, 2022

Career Planning/Strategic No Content Release

Guide: Libby Dishner, Partner, Cresco Coaching & Consulting

May (date TBD)

Slay Like a Mother Two-Hour Workshop

Guide: Katherine Wintsch, Author 

Regional Meet-Up Events

June 13, 2022

Confidence & Motivation Content Release

Guide: Elizabeth Bentley, Verge Coaching

August 15, 2022

Change and Resiliency Content Release

Guide: Elizabeth Bentley, Verge Coaching

September (date TBD)

Program Closing Event

Program Pricing:

$375 per participant ($750 per mentor/mentee duo)