Leadership and Organizational Development

The Power of Mentorship in Leadership Development: Insights from the Executive Leadership Institute

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January 31, 2025

The mentorship program offered as part of Social Current’s Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) plays a pivotal role in developing transformative leaders. By pairing seasoned leaders with emerging talent, ELI creates a unique, supportive environment where knowledge sharing, personal growth, and professional development converge.

For this article, we asked an ELI mentor pair to share their experiences and shed light on the significant impact of their relationship on the broader leadership learning process. Mentor Kevin Walsh is a retired executive with 43 years of experience in child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice in New York State, and mentee Althea Birch is the director of community programs at The Advocate Program in Miami.

Complementing On-Site Learning Through Mentorship

For many ELI students, the week of onsite learning is the foundation of their leadership journey. However, it is the mentoring component that provides the essential bridge to real-world application. According to Walsh, the in-person experience and additional virtual learning are crucial for providing a theoretical framework on leadership, but the program’s true value emerges when participants are encouraged to translate these lessons into action.

“While the onsite sessions provide critical insights into the challenges facing leadership today, working with a mentor allows the mentee to apply these concepts to real situations within their own organization,” Walsh explains. For example, Birch embarked on a project to expand her organization’s board of directors to include a member with lived experience. With Walsh’s guidance, this goal became not just a theoretical exercise, but a transformative action which reshaped Birch’s organization.

The focus on action-based learning is what sets ELI apart. Each student works on a project that requires them to implement the skills and insights they’ve gained, with their mentor acting as a neutral, experienced guide. “The mentor’s role is to help the mentee reflect on the challenges they face, not to solve the problem for them,” explains Walsh. This reflective process, which is central to adult learning, allows the mentee to deepen their leadership practice and approach issues from new perspectives.

Mentorship as a Personal Development Journey

Mentorship within ELI is not just about professional growth; it is deeply intertwined with personal development. The mentor shares their expertise and helps the mentee work through their leadership challenges. As Walsh highlights, “Mentoring is about guiding the mentee on a personal journey toward becoming a stronger leader.” This means fostering a space where mentees can think critically, voice their concerns, and reflect on their growth.

For the mentees, the experience is equally impactful. “Kevin was an unbiased sounding board,” says Birch, reflecting on the mentorship experience. “His guidance helped me make better leadership decisions.” The mentor-mentee dynamic offered Birch a chance to step back and analyze her leadership style, without the pressures of a supervisor-employee relationship. This created a safe space for reflection and growth.

Benefits to Both Mentor and Mentee

While mentorship is primarily focused on supporting the mentee’s development, mentors also benefit significantly from the experience. For Walsh, the chance to work with mentees has kept him engaged and connected to the evolving trends in the nonprofit sector. “I am constantly learning from my mentees,” Walsh shares. “Working with individuals facing different challenges keeps me sharp and connected to the changing landscape of leadership.”

For the mentee, the benefits are clear: Continuous support, expert guidance, and an opportunity to learn from someone who has walked the path before. “Kevin’s nonprofit leadership experience gave me a wealth of guidance,” Birch shares. “He helped me understand that even small accomplishments matter in leadership, and he gave me the encouragement to keep moving forward.”

Overcoming Challenges Together

Like any relationship, the mentor-mentee partnership can face challenges. Walsh reflects on early struggles with understanding the fine line between coaching and mentoring. “It was difficult at first to resist the urge to offer advice on how to solve problems,” he admits. “But the true role of a mentor is to help the mentee reflect, not provide direct solutions.” With practice and support from other mentors in ELI’s alumni community, Walsh honed his active listening skills, ensuring that he could better guide Birch’s self-reflection.

For Birch, challenges were minimal, but the consistency of open communication was key. “Kevin was always available and supportive,” she explains. “Even between our scheduled meetings, I knew I could reach out if I needed guidance.”

A Lasting Impact

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of the ELI mentorship program and the institute overall is the longevity of relationships with peers and advisors in the sector. The connections formed during the program do not end when students graduate from the institute. As Birch shares, “I know I can continue to reach out to Kevin throughout my leadership journey.” This enduring support is what makes ELI’s mentoring approach unique — it is not just about guiding participants during the course, but about establishing a lasting partnership for continued growth.

Learn More About the Executive Leadership Institute

The mentor-mentee relationships forged through ELI are more than just professional connections—they are partnerships that nurture personal growth, challenge assumptions, and develop leadership skills. These relationships provide a critical complement to the in-person and virtual learning experience, offering mentees the chance to apply new concepts in real-world settings while growing as leaders.

View details online for the 2025 Executive Leadership Institute, to be held June 8-12 at Loyola University Chicago.

To learn more about how you can develop your leadership skills and make a lasting impact, join our free informational webinar about the institute Feb. 20.

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About Social Current

Social Current is the premier partner and solutions provider to a diverse network of more than 1,800 human and social service organizations. Together with our network, we are activating the power of the social sector to effect broader systemic change that is needed to achieve our vision of an equitable society where all people can thrive. We support, strengthen, and amplify the work of the social sector in five core integrated areas including brain science and trauma-informed approaches; COA Accreditation; child, family, and community well-being; government affairs and advocacy; and leadership and organizational development.