AAPI Mentorship Program

Serica will pilot an exciting, innovative new program in 2025 that amplifies the advantages of the traditional mentorship model into something altogether different, meaningful, and powerful–uplifting AAPIs across sectors and generations.

Magic has always happened when Serica brings together amazing women (and their allies, including men). How can we “bottle” that secret sauce? How can we capture that synergy into a program that can support AAPIs with measurable impact?

What is the success that we can define ourselves?

If you would like to be a part of this change we want to see–either as a mentor or mentee!–please indicate your interest below.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Serica's AAPI Women’s Leadership Mentorship Program is designed to support and empower Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women as they transition from high-performing mid-career managers to confident, effective senior leaders. This program pairs emerging leaders with experienced mentors who provide guidance, strategic insights, and support to help mentees navigate leadership challenges, build their influence and impact, accelerate their career growth and cultivate balance between career and personal life.

In its pilot program, Serica will select up to ten NYC-based mentees through an application process, who will be paired with Mentors based on Mentee goals and needs.

This program is FREE to selected Mentees. Serica’s Mentors will be volunteering their time for this program.

Structured Mentorship: A 12-month program with regular one-on-one mentor-mentee meetings (monthly)

Community & Networking: Opportunities to connect with a broader cohort of mentors and mentees through 3 in person events in New York City

Accountability & Growth: Mentees set personalized leadership goals, while mentors provide feedback, encouragement, and accountability
At least 5-7 years of leadership experience in the corporate, non-profit spaces or as an entrepreneur

A strong commitment to mentorship and the advancement of AAPI women in leadership

Experience navigating leadership challenges, gender & cultural influences, and career transitions

Strong coaching, curiosity and listening skills, with a willingness to provide guidance, resources, introductions, in addition to constructive feedback
AAPI women in mid-career roles looking to transition from “doer” to leader

Motivated to grow their leadership skills, take on greater responsibilities, and develop strategic thinking

Open to feedback and willing to take action on career development advice

Committed to engaging in the mentorship process and applying insights to their career growth.

This program is an opportunity for AAPI women to break barriers, elevate their leadership presence, and advance in their careers with the guidance of those who have walked the path before them.

application criteria

To meet the criteria for the mentorship program each applicant must:

Identify as a woman of Asian American / Pacific Islander heritage
Be a resident of the five boroughs of New York City
Mid-career, at a manager level, have experience in being a people-leader
For this pilot program, applicants must fall within either Entrepreneur, Corporate, or Non-Profit areas of work
Fill in the application form honestly and earnestly
Be available to attend the program launch on May 22, 2025 at Serica’s Trailblazers Conference
- All selected mentees will receive a complimentary pass to Serica’s Trailblazers Conference (gala not included, but you are welcome to purchase a ticket and attend that as well)

For any questions, please contact mentorship@sericainitiative.org

IMPORTANT DATES

April 2, 2025

Applications Open

April 18, 2025

Applications Close

Week of May 5, 2025

Mentees Selected & Notified

May 22, 2025 (At Serica Trailblazers Conference)

Mentorship Program Launch & Welcome

June - November 2025

6 Monthly Mentor-Mentee Sessions

Nov 2025 (Exact date TBD)

Mentor-Mentee Luncheon

December 2025 - May 2026

6 Monthly Mentor-Mentee Sessions

May 2026 (Exact date TBD)

Mentorship Program Graduation

mentee COMMITMENTS & EXPECTATIONS

As a selected participant in Serica’s AAPI Women’s Leadership Mentorship Program, mentees are expected to fully engage in the program and uphold the following commitments:

Mentees will be matched with a mentor by the Serica team based on their stated goals and professional needs.

The official program kickoff will take place at Serica’s Trailblazers Conference on May 22, 2025, in NYC, where mentors and mentees will have their first in-person meeting.

Selected Mentees will receive complimentary access to the Conference
Mentees will schedule 12 monthly meetings (at least 45 minutes/per meeting) with their mentors throughout the program. All meetings are fully confidential between Mentor and Mentee.

At least four meetings must be in person to foster a strong mentor-mentee relationship.

Please note that in-person meeting costs will be incurred by the mentors and mentees. Serica will not reimburse any in person meeting-related costs.

Mentees are responsible for scheduling meetings with minimal rescheduling.

If a mentor or mentee fails to attend a scheduled meeting without notice, that session will not be rescheduled.

If meetings are frequently canceled or rescheduled by either mentor or mentee (more than twice per session), the Serica team will assess whether changes to the mentorship pairing are necessary.
Mentees will submit quarterly progress updates to the Serica team. Further details will be provided once the program begins.
Mentees are expected to attend a Mentorship Luncheon in November 2025 (date, time, and location to be announced hosted by Serica.

The program will conclude with a Program Graduation Event in May 2026, hosted by Serica, where all mentees will celebrate their achievements (date, time, and location to be announced).

Mentees will be provided with complimentary access to attend all of Serica’s programming (both virtual and in-person) throughout the calendar year (with the exception of the Serica Trailblazers Gala events).

This program is a unique opportunity to grow as a leader and build meaningful relationships. Full participation and commitment will ensure mentees gain the most value from their experience.

For any questions, please contact mentorship@sericainitiative.org.

Mentee Application Form

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this Mentee Application Form for Serica's AAPI Women’s Leadership Mentorship Program! Learning more about your background, needs, and capacities will help us create matches that will be most impactful to our selected Mentees.

All responses will be kept confidential. The Serica team works hard to match Mentors to Mentees to the best of their ability based on the information provided.

PLEASE NOTE: Our 2025 pilot program will have a very limited number of Mentor-Mentee pairings (approximately ten). If you are not selected this year, we encourage you to keep your eye out to our future programs, and re-apply.

We will notify you either way the week of May 5th whether we are able to match you with a Mentor for the 2025 program.

CRITERIA FOR OUR IDEAL MENTEE

AAPI women in mid-career roles looking to transition from “doer” to leader
Motivated to grow their leadership skills, take on greater responsibilities, and develop strategic thinking
Open to feedback and willing to take action on career development advice
Committed to engaging in the mentorship process and applying insights to their career growth.

This program is an opportunity for AAPI women to break barriers, elevate their leadership presence, and advance in their careers with the guidance of those who have walked the path before them. This program is FREE to selected Mentees. Serica’s Mentors will be volunteering their time for this program.