Session: The power of mentoring - entering a new era of self development

When the world is on fire. We can be the change we need to see. As we navigate uncertainty, tackle new challenges and pressures in the not-for-profit sector - it's easy to lose sight of ourselves. But now more than ever, we need to invest time and energy in our own development. The impact  we can achieve in the sector relies on our people. And we need to take charge of shaping the future we want for ourselves and finding the right support to make it possible.

Hear from Louise Lai, who co-founded a volunteer led mentoring community for women working in the social impact space. The FemMentored community challenges the  traditional model that favours power and hierarchy as the determining factors of what would make someone a good mentor. Instead this 2,000 strong community has created a safe space, to make connections and build a network of like minded women navigating the social impact sector.

Their mentoring programme has supported over 1250 women, and Louise will share their journey, the tools and frameworks their community use and how you can apply this to your own learning and development. And how mentoring relationships and a network, just like the Fundraising Summer School Community  can  help you realise your potential, overcome barriers and have the confidence to succeed.

Louise Lai (Session One)

Louise Lai, is Chief Client and Transformation Officer at manifesto, an award-winning digital experience agency, specialising in the not-for-profit sector. They partner with not for profit organisations to create sustainable, inclusive, and impactful digital products, thinking and transformation that drives meaningful change.

Louise’s work involves partnering with their clients on lots of exciting digital and transformation projects. She  helps  non-profit leaders to navigate their challenges, harness digital, modern thinking and change in an effective and sustainable way.

She’s  worked in the social impact and purpose led transformation space for nearly two decades  working with a huge range of UK and Global charity organisations. From fundraising, marketing, brand, innovation, advocacy, strategy and products - she has truly diverse perspectives and experiences with changemaking organisations.

Over the last five years at manifesto she has delivered charity strategy and transformation. This has been through many lenses, digital, organisational-wide change, service design and delivery and engaging, supporting and inspiring audiences. And with incredible organisations like UNICEF, Breast Cancer Now,  Trussell Trust and Generation Global.

Alongside her role at manifesto, Louise is on the Board of Trustees at Blood Cancer UK and is the co-founder of FemMentored. A community that connects and supports women in the social impact sector, providing support, community and access to mentors. She’s built an active digital community of over 2000 women and supported 1250+ women with their mentoring programme since its launch in 2021.