Take a Mentor Minute with Zena Lum: January 2026

Mentor Minute

Jan 21

By Zena Lum, WOC National Advisory Committee member and Mentorship Expert

Take a Mentor Minute with Zena Lum: January 2026

January not only ushers in a new year but also marks National Mentoring Month. I can’t think of a better way to acknowledge what many consider to be a fresh start. A mentor (or mentors) can be an invaluable guide as we contemplate our “resolutions,” be it a move, new goals, or confronting anticipated challenges or opportunities. I have benefitted immensely from the mentors in my life, and I love paying it forward, serving as a WOC mentor through Mentor Match.

I’ve been a part of Mentor Match since its launch in early 2021. With a program that was so popular that it was immediately oversubscribed, I took on 18 mentees in my first cohort! Two have continued with me as part of the program, and I’ve kept in touch with many others. I’ve had 22 additional mentees since that first group, in addition to serving as a résumé coach, a career counselor, and leadership coach to many other WOC members. I’ve also connected mentees with each other, helping to expand networks and further opportunities.

Through WOC’s Mentor Match, I’ve been privileged to be part of the journey for so many incredible women across the country and witness their careers progress and flourish. Mentors offer guidance based on their personal experience and are thought partners, sounding boards, and the occasional shoulder to cry or lean on. WOC is about to launch its sixth Mentor Match cohort, and I encourage members who have accomplished their career goals and continue to work hard to inspire us all, to consider signing up to become a Mentor for up-and-coming philanthropic professionals.

**WOC Connections 2026**

January 29
6:00 PM ET

RSVP

Join us on January 29th for WOC Connections, where 2026 applications will open, the program will launch and I will hold a brief Q&A/ info session for interested mentors-to-be. This, in addition to networking, connecting, and learning more about what’s to come for WOC in 2026.