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2020-09-01 | All chapters

Cross-industry Mentor Initiative 2020: Application Open

Visit Cross-industry Mentor Initiative website for more information and feedback from previous mentees.

The European Chamber is proud to launch the second cycle of its Cross-industry Mentor Initiative (CIMI) and is now welcoming applications from potential mentees.

Programme overview

This Cross-industry Mentor Initiative will partner mid- to senior-level managers in China with C-suite leaders of European business in China, who will help to impart the additional skills and knowledge required for them take the next step in their careers, from senior management to board-level positions. This will be a part-time course lasting approximately 6 months from November 2020 to May 2021.

Some organisations have similar internal employee development programmes but it is anchored there in an existing employee/employer relationship. The Chamber’s cross-company and industry initiative will remove these barriers and provide an unrestricted, impartial learning environment to facilitate personal growth for mentees while providing a fresh perspective to mentors.

Same as the initial cycle, the second cycle of the CIMI will focus on improving female representation at senior management and board level in China. We have chosen this as the focal point for the programme due to the lack of gender diversity among top leadership within the Chamber’s member companies. We believe this initiative can make an instant impact for those future female leaders involved whilst providing a platform for future diversity and inclusion and leadership development programmes.

What will the programme involve?

Following the selection process in October, each mentee will be paired one-on-one with a leading business figure from the European business community in China who will provide guidance and support, with at least five full hours dedicated to mentee development over the course of the six-month programme. This is a minimum requirement agreed by all of the mentors, and we expect more time committed in cases where there is a good mentor-mentee fit.

In addition, a number of external, tailored workshops will be provided which will help mentees develop leadership skills, share the leadership development experience and expand network.

The mentors 

We are pleased to announce that the following mentors have confirmed their participation in the second cycle, and more are expected to sign up before the official start: 

  • Joerg Wuttke, Vice President and Chief Representative, BASF
  • Charlotte Roule, CEO, ENGIE
  • Bruno Weill, Chief Group Representative, BNP Paribas
  • Jens Eskelund, President, Maersk
  • Holly Lei, President, Covestro
  • Michael Chang, CTO, Nokia
  • Fabrice Megarbane, President & CEO, L'Oreal
  • Bettina Schoen, Regional Representative Asia, Freudenberg
  • Denis Depoux, Global Managing Director, Managing Director Greater China, Head of Asia, Roland Berger
  • Marko Tulus, CFO and Country Holding Officer of Sandvik China

How to get involved

Applicants must be:

  • female;
  • aged 30–45;
  • an employee of a European Chamber member company; and
  • mid- to senior-level management looking to step up to director, vice president, business unit head or equivalent.

To apply, please submit the following information and responses to the below questions via e-mail to Nina Jiang njiang@europeanchamber.com.cn:

  • An up-to-date CV
  • A summary of your current job function (200 words or less)
  • What are your medium-term career aspirations and how can mentoring help to get you there? (350 words or less)
  • What do you have to offer a prospective mentor? (350 words or less)
  • Any other information you may wish to share (200 words or less)

The deadline for submissions is 18:00 Beijing time on 16th October 2020.

Activities

Making A Difference: The European Chamber's Mentorship Approach

  • Session 1 on 31st August 2020: The Impact of Mentoring – How to set yourself up for success and build your confidence and leadership skills. To review the webinar recording, please click here.
  • Session 2 on 18th September: Mentorship Showcase – Increase Local Visibility with Global Perspective.
  • Session 3 on 25th September: Insights from C-suite Mentors – The Road Towards A C-Suite Position. To review the webinar recording, please click here.

For more information please contact

Nina Jiang

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