Lead. Achieve. Grow.
The AdNet Mentor Partnership Program connects community foundation professionals who are eager to learn with those who are ready to share their experience and insight.
Mentees are typically:
✔ New or newer to the field, with a preference given to those with 2–3 years of community foundation experience
✔ Exploring a career change
✔ Seeking guidance and professional development
Mentors are:
✔ Experienced professionals with 4+ years in the community foundation field
✔ Interested in supporting peers through coaching and knowledge-sharing
✔ Committed to fostering leadership, collaboration, and growth across the network
This structured, four-month program fosters meaningful connections, knowledge-sharing, and leadership development in the sector. The program concludes with a leadership discussion and wrap-up event in November.
2025 Mentorship Program
Space is limited to ensure a high-quality experience and meaningful mentor-mentee connections.
Mentors and mentees meet monthly (via Zoom or phone).
Mentors and mentees must be current AdNet members to participate.
🔔 Important Update🔔
Thank you for your interest in the AdNet Mentorship Program.
The deadline to apply has passed, and we are no longer accepting applications for 2025.
Since its launch in 2022, AdNet’s Mentor Program has received an overwhelmingly positive response. Our amazing members have generously given their time and talent to strengthen our community, build new networks, and foster best practices—demonstrating ongoing enthusiasm for the program.
Mentee Commitment
- Meet with your mentor for a minimum of one hour a month for four months virtually or by phone.
- Be respectful of all meeting dates and times.
- Identify areas of focus to work on with your mentor.
- Send questions or discussion topic(s) to mentor in advance of meeting.
- Complete a program evaluation form at the end of the partnership.
Mentor Commitment
- Commit to the role of mentor for a minimum of one hour for four months by meeting virtually or by phone with your mentee. Mentors will be responsible for requesting and scheduling the meetings.
- Be respectful of meeting dates and times.
- Provide guidance, knowledge and support for your mentee to advance him/her/they professionally.
- Assist your mentee in setting and achieving his/her/their professional goals.
- Maintain confidentiality and establish trust with your mentee.
- Complete a program evaluation form at the end of the partnership.
📅 2025 Cohort Key Dates: 📅
- May 1 – Applications open
- June 2 – Mentee Applications closed a 5:00 pm EST
- July 14 – Participants notified
- July 31 – Mentor/Mentee Orientation & Kickoff
- August – November – Monthly mentor-mentee meetings
- October 24 – Mid-program check-in
- November 14 – Final wrap-up event with guest speaker
2025 Mentorship Participants
Mentees
Mentors
Jessica Hanzlicek Treadwell | Wichita Foundation
Alison Jackson | Blue Grass Community Foundation
Amy Krug | Community Foundation of Greater Flint
Anna (Withers) Dowell | Community Foundation of the Ozarks
Emily Asboe | Lincoln Community Foundation
Emma Budd | The New York Trust
Ester Armenta | The Lake County Community Foundation
Hannah Burke | The Boston Foundation
Jaren Harmon | Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne
Liz Paulhus | Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley
Jason England | Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Jenna Maxwell | Kalamazoo Community Foundation
Jess Meehan | Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore
Jessica Peterson | Boreal Waters Community Foundation
Jill McIlroy | Arizona Community Foundation
Kelly Sweet | Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Lee Ann Eiland | The Chicago Community Trust
Leila Dufurrena | The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County
Michael Oliveri | San Diego Foundation
Michael Taylor | Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
Michael Zeek | Community Foundation of Acadiana
Priscilla Boward | Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Shannon Stagner| Austin Community Foundation
Shyla Banar | Oregon Community Foundation
Stella Davis | The Boston Foundation
Stephanie Mann | Athens Area Community Foundation
Tashia James | The Foundation for Enhancing Communities
Carrie Nedick | Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
Kay Stine| Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Katie Braswell | Hamilton Community Foundation
Bob Eichinger | The Chicago Community Trust
Mariah Brook | Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Laura Menge| Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Angel Mendiola | Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Lynn Neumann | Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Lisa Stratton | Arizona Community Foundation
Alison Gerardot | Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne
Travis Hutchins | Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Katie Sawyer | San Diego Foundation
Heidi Binder | Oregon Community Foundation
Maggie Murphy | The New York Community Trust
Heidi Tieszen | Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Ashley Silva | Community Foundation of the Ozarks
Loren Van Allen | The Boston Foundation
Katelyn Videto | Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Jeremy Wells | Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Aurea Gerard | Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Michael Nuno| The New York Community Trust
Monica Merante | Central New York Community Foundation
Sheila Kinman | Community Foundation Tampa Bay
Stephanie Sessa | Austin Community Foundation
Kate Wilson | Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Mackenzie Brunson| Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Lottie Ferguson| Community Foundation of Greater Flint
Mentor and Mentee Quotes
“My whole job is about building and sustaining relationships, and this was a fabulous chance to do that in a different way. I also broadened my knowledge of the community foundation field even through I was in the mentor role.”
“Incredible way to gain perspective from another CF leader and bring best practices back to our home CF.”
“I gained more knowledge than I could have imagined from my mentor.”
“You’ll get an amazing, experienced mentor and have opportunities to learn cool new trends and ideas.”
“I learned just as much from my mentee as I hope she did from me. It is and should be a mutually beneficial relationship.”
“It actually exceeded my expectations. My mentor and I had robust discussions on relevant topics for each of us.”
“Having some one-on-one time is valuable because we rarely have opportunities to engage in deep listening or have someone totally focused on our needs and concerns.”
Mentor Program Committee
Kay Stine | Hampton Roads Community Foundation | Co-Chair
Loren Van Allen | The Boston Foundation | Co-Chair
Meghan Doyle | Wichita Foundation
Angel Mendiola | Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Stephanie Sessa | Austin Community Foundation