Program Overview

A Call to Mentors is a signature initiative of SHIELD that bridges generations through the simple but profound act of one hour of connection. This program invites experienced leaders, Elders, practitioners, and changemakers to invest sixty minutes each year in an emerging leader—offering listening, encouragement, wisdom, and reflection.

The premise is elegantly simple: one conversation can change a life. By sharing your journey, your lessons, and your presence, you help a new leader see their path more clearly, feel less alone, and carry their work with renewed strength.

A Call to Mentors

Why This Matters

Every generation stands on the shoulders of those who came before. Yet in our fast-paced world of urgent deadlines and relentless demands, the sacred practice of intergenerational wisdom-sharing has become rare. Leaders at all levels report feeling isolated, uncertain, and disconnected from those who have navigated similar challenges.

The Call to Mentors program restores this vital connection by:

Creating intentional space for wisdom to flow across generations
Reducing isolation by reminding emerging leaders they are not alone
Building resilience through shared experience and perspective
Sustaining movements by passing down both practical skills and the emotional grounding needed for the long haul

Program Structure

Matching Process

SHIELD pairs mentors and emerging leaders based on:

Sector/field of work (e.g., community organizing, education, policy, arts)
Areas of interest (e.g., healing justice, systems change, leadership development)
Preferred communication style (e.g., structured conversation vs. open reflection)

The Commitment

Mentors commit to one hour per year—just sixty minutes—to meet virtually with a SHIELD emerging leader. This is not a long-term, high-demand relationship. It is a single, focused conversation that can provide clarity, encouragement, and a sense of being seen and supported.

Structure

Each mentoring session is designed to be meaningful without being burdensome:

Session Format

60 minutes (virtual)

Duration

Listening, encouragement, wisdom, and reflection

Outcome

Flexible—can be guided by the mentor's style or a provided discussion framework

Focus

A strengthened leader, a renewed perspective, and a shared moment of human connection

Topics

Leadership challenges, wellbeing, career path, systems thinking, personal growth

85%

Through the Call to Mentors program, we aim to:

Program Impact

1,000

80%

95%

mentor pairings annually

of emerging leaders report increased confidence in their leadership

of mentors return for a second year

of participants report feeling more connected and supported

Resilience

Reach

Retention

Satisfaction