Network of Women in Events (NOWIE) unveiled the second year of its mentoring programme, ‘Level Up’. Matching women in their junior to mid-career with a seasoned mentor, the initiative aims to provide tailored support to participants as they navigate the next steps in their professional journey.
The programme will unite 50 pairs of mentees and mentors, selected according to their specific areas of work, specialisms, employment status and more.
Beginning with an in-person networking event in January, the programme will run for 6 months, with interactions predominantly taking place online. Having received over 100 mentee applications this year, the team at NOWIE has been hard at work developing the pairings for participants.
One mentor described their experience as “a cathartic and enlightening process, distilling down my career learnings.” Another added: “it’s been amazing to see the difference in a mentor/mentee relationship, understanding what they need and want and how to help them. What I’ve been able to do with my mentee has been very rewarding and enjoyable.”
Cat Kevern, Chair of NOWIE, commented: “We are delighted that Level Up is returning for a second year. At our core, we believe in the power of women supporting women. This programme enables meaningful relationships between pioneering women in our industry and those aspiring to follow in their footsteps. And, notably, it is completely free for participants.”
NOWIE are delighted that this year’s Level Up programme is being sponsored by We Organise Chaos and Festivall Services.
Josh Heyburn, Managing Director of Festivall Services, commented: “It is really exciting to watch NOWIE continuously evolving and championing women in the events industry. Level Up is a fantastic opportunity to support and inspire mid-level events professionals and we are thrilled to be able to support its delivery.” Having made invaluable contributions to its debut, We Organise Chaos are returning to sponsor a second year of Level Up, with Director Clare Goodchild saying, “Really proud to be involved in the NOWIE Level Up programme for the second year running. Mentoring has been invaluable to us as a company, creating learning opportunities both as a mentee AND through being a mentor. The NOWIE programme is particularly unique, as it takes special care in matching mentors and mentees, and ensuring the opportunities are varied and inclusive. Really looking forward to seeing who comes through this years programme, and watching the future leaders grow.”
Kevern added: “The generous support of We Organise Chaos and Festivall Services allows us to ensure that Level Up remains free and accessible. Not only does it secure the running of the programme, but it also enables us to support participants with the cost of attending in-person elements. We see this as essential to forming a genuine network of connections, and want to ensure that financial circumstances do not limit the involvement of participants.”
Participants for Level Up 2024 have been announced today. Mentors featured in this year’s line-up include Karen Edwards, Senior Event Producer and Host of The Events Insight Podcast, Elle McMahon, Founder and CEO of The Ticket Crowd, and Lana Elworthy, Head of Production at Boomtown Festival.
NOWIE would like to extend their thanks to Sarah Spurgeon and Helena Nalis for their instrumental roles in creating the second year of Level Up.
