Mentorship

Mission:  A mentoring program designed to encourage and nurture the professional development of AWAF scholarship recipients and members of AWAF.

Vision:  Build and create lasting relationships and alliances that effectively impact the success of women in the automotive industry.

Why join the AWAF Mentorship Program?  

Mentees

• Obtain guidance, motivation, emotional support
• Enhance communication and decision-making skills
• Gain a role model to support professional development and advancement over a career
• Improve ability to successfully secure target career opportunities
• Enhance access to industry leaders and subject matter experts to develop an exceptionally strong business network
• Develop strategies for dealing with work related issues including teaming, managing relationships, conflict and many others
• Improve job performance and promotability

Mentors

• Further develop mentoring and leadership skills
• Gain a personal sense of satisfaction from knowing you’ve helped someone
• Develop new relationships with fellow AWAF members

2026 Mentorship Program for Scholarship Recipients

• Concept:   A mentoring program designed to encourage and nurture the professional development of AWAF scholarship recipients.
• Who:  Mentees will be AWAF scholarship recipients current and past.   Mentors will be active members with an interest in helping female students advance in their professional development.
• What:  Program content will consist of, but is not limited to, career planning, professional development, work life balance, self-confidence and personal influence.
• When:  July 8 - September 9, 2026
• Where: In-person (when possible) in addition to one-on-one and group meetings via phone and/or social meeting platforms (i.e., Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.). 
• How: Applicants will be paired through a matching process based on career and academic information. Resources will be provided to make this experience meaningful and memorable.

2025 Mentorship Program for AWAF Members

• Concept:   A mentoring program designed to nurture the professional development of members of AWAF.
• Who:  Mentees will be with members of AWAF with an interest in advancing their careers.   Mentors will be active members with an interest in helping women advance in their professional development.
• What:  Program content will consist of, but is not limited to, career planning, professional development, work life balance, self-confidence and personal influence.
• When: November 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
• Where: In-person (when possible) in addition to one-on-one and group meetings via phone and/or social meeting platforms (i.e., Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.). 
• How: Applicants will be paired through a matching process based on career and academic information. Resources will be provided to make this experience meaningful and memorable.
• Note:  Because this is a pilot program, participants will be limited based on the availability of mentors.
• If an AWAF member and less than 5 years into your career, contact Venetia by October 6, 2025.

sign up to be a Mentor

sign up to Be a Mentee

Resources

Each Mentor and Mentee receives a copy of:

Testimonials from AWAF Members - part of the professional mentoring program

I’ve had great mentors each time, one as a student and this one as a young professional.  AWAF mentoring far surpasses the mentorship program at my job.  I’ve had two mentors at work, and they both were nothing compared to my AWAF mentors.  The matching process worked out perfectly for me.   ~Morgan Main

My mentor has taught me things I didn’t even know I needed to know but has been SO valuable in my career. Even coming from two different department types, we connected on so many things that kept leading me to ask her questions and her to provide me with new things to think about in a new perspective. I have truly gained confidence back in my career and know I can always go to her for advice or questions. ~Alicia Rodriguez

I loved my mentor’s energy and attitude throughout the entire mentorship experience.  Each session covered just enough material, and it wasn’t overwhelming, which I really appreciated.  It was very helpful that after each session we could establish “to do’s” for the next session. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I look forward to continuing the mentor-mentee relationship with her.  ~Madison Lorincz