The Franklin Women Mentoring Program is a sector-first cross-organisational and structured 6-month program that combines informal mentoring sessions with formal sessions facilitated by experts in inclusive leadership.

It aims to support high-potential women in health and medical research careers progress into leadership positions, retaining their skill in the sector. It also provides current leaders the opportunity to develop their mentorship skills as well as increasing their awareness of the value of a diverse and inclusive workplace and the role they play in achieving this.
Since its inaugural year in 2017, the mentoring program has connected more than 200 mentees and mentors from 17 different organisations contributing to the health and medical research sector.

Franklin Women is proud to deliver an initiative that is having such a positive impact on our sector.  An evaluation of the inaugural program in 2017 found participation had tangible impact on the careers of both mentees and mentors that were maintained 12 months down the track. For mentees this included new collaborations, research funding and career promotions. For mentors, increased inclusive leadership skills, tools for effective mentoring and changes to how they manage their teams.

Instructions for Organisations

Franklin Women welcomes organisations who carry out any form of research that contributes to improving health (including university science, medicine and health faculties, medical research institutes, not-for-profit organisations, and industry) to participate in our Mentoring Program.

As a Participating Organisation you are eligible to put forward mid-career women (mentees) and senior leaders of any gender (mentors) who meet the program criteria. Mentees and mentors will then be matched from within the overall participating cohort.

Individuals

If you are an individual working in the sector and are interested in participating in the FW Mentoring Program as a mentee or mentor, please enquire within your organisation with respects to if they participate and how to nominate yourself. Please contact Franklin Women if you are not sure if your organisation participates in our program.

Franklin Women also sponsors one subsidised mentee place on the Program for Franklin Women members who meet the eligibility criteria below, and who are not from one of the Participating Organisations. The successful applicant would be required to fund a small participation fee of $645+GST.