Our Mentors

We recruit mentors from throughout the industry, different railroads and rail vendors, various fields and disciplines, and with varying types and years of expertise. Are you an experienced rail professional and leader? Apply to become a mentor.

Our Format

During this pilot program, we hope to offer both mentors and mentees the benefits of a flexible mentoring experience. Mentors will add 45-minute time slots to our calendar when they are free to advise mentees. Mentees will then book their time on our calendar to meet. Mentors and mentees will be provided a private Google Meet link to have their session but they are free to choose a different platform that is available to them.

Other than ensuring that mentors and mentees meet during their scheduled appointments, there are no other commitments or obligations. Mentors and mentees can decide together whether to meet again or take the mentoring relationship to the next step with a longer commitment between the two parties. Should they choose to do so, they may continue to use the Mentor Sessions calendar to facilitate the sessions.

Mentor Sessions are virtual. LRW will automatically set up a virtual meeting room for Mentor Sessions via Google Meet, a free service that requires each participant to have a Google account. The mentor and mentee may also decide to meet in person. If they do, each party must take every precaution and follow social distancing rules and regulations in place at their respective companies and the facility in which they are to meet. LRW does not require meeting in-person and bears no responsibility should the mentor and mentee choose to meet in person for their mentoring session. Regardless of whether participants meet virtually or in-person, LRW will not be able to reimburse either party for any cost associated with using a different virtual platform or facility.

Mentor Sessions are on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are not able to find time with a specific mentor, please wait until their schedule opens up again.

We will be running the pilot starting on February 15, 2021 until May 31, 2021. Given the program success and as we get more mentors, we will make Mentor Sessions an official part of the LRW membership offering.

Self-Led Mentoring

Mentees initiate and enable their successful mentoring experience while LRW provides the means and resources for them. It is the mentee's responsibility to complete the signup form, schedule with the mentor, confirm with the mentor once a meeting has been scheduled, and promptly attend their session.

In the event that a mentor session needs to be rescheduled or cancelled, the mentee must do so at least 48 hours in advance. This is a courtesy to the mentor and others who may benefit from the mentor's time and knowledge. To reschedule or cancel an event, simply reply to the calendar event invite to email guests with your request.

Mentee Requirements

• Must be a current LRW Member (learn how to become a member)

• Must complete the Mentor Sessions Signup Form before scheduling a mentor session

For questions or feedback, please email us at events@railwaywomen.org.

Make A Difference In A Woman's Rail Career

Representation of women varies from railroad to railroad, but it's safe to say there aren't nearly enough women in rail, especially in positions of leadership. As someone with experience in rail management and leadership, woman or man, you have the power to empower a woman and help her achieve her career goals as well as improve the gender balance of railroad workers in general. Your guidance can help her get the skills she needs to move ahead, break barriers, and instill confidence to accelerate her career.

Mentor Commitments

Our program is very flexible, but we ask that you make yourself available to mentees for at least two (2) 45-minute sessions per month within the next three (3) months. You may or may not be scheduled with the same mentee throughout the program. Mentees have the freedom to choose their mentor so it all depends on mentee interests and needs.

Mentor Requirements

• Must have at least 1 year of rail and 3 years of transportation experience

• Must currently work for a railroad, rail vendor, or rail association

Application Review

Mentor applications will be reviewed by the LRW Mentorship Committee. We expect to review applications on a weekly basis. Once you submit your application, please expect to hear back from us within one (1) week. If you are accepted to the program as a mentor, we will add you to our roster of mentors and set up your time slots on our calendar so mentees can schedule time with you.

If you have any questions about your commitments and application, please email us at events@railwaywomen.org.