interVivos has been organizing mentorship programs in Edmonton since 2006.
Our program matches people with diverse backgrounds and interests. So far, we are the only organization in Edmonton that does this.
If you have a question about our program that is not answered below, please send us an email.
How many participants are in each program?
Each program usually has 15-18 mentors and 15-18 protégés. Return mentors and protégés sometimes participate.
When do the programs take place?
Our programs are offered twice a year (usually in the spring and fall).
What are the backgrounds of the mentors and protégés?
Our mentors and protégés come from a variety of fields such as entrepreneurship, information technology, consulting, government, communications, healthcare, culinary arts, politics, and non-profit.
Our mentors and protégés are also diverse in terms of their ages and backgrounds. However, in Summer 2019, we organized a special mentorship program just for female mentors. The protégés were of all genders for that program.
What do participants focus on?
While some people look to mentorship for career development, our six-month bi-annual program focuses on the importance of a reciprocal relationship for mentors and protégés.
Our mentors and protégés have worked on a variety of things together such as personal growth and development, workplace challenges, career changes, building networks, questioning comfort zones, and work-life effectiveness.
What is the cost of the program?
Protégés pay $80 to participate in the program, while our mentors are all volunteers. The funds cover event costs for the program as we are completely nonprofit. We are also offering at least one free protégé spot per program to a community organization.
How do the matches happen?
It is a process that starts with the launch!
Participants meet at the mentorship program launch which takes place at a central location on a weeknight. Protégés and mentors have the opportunity to meet with all the participants at the launch, discuss what their goals are in person, and then choose who the best match would be for them in a speed-rotation format. At the end of the evening, mentors and protégés rank their choices and interVivos makes the final matches in the weeks following. The match information is then emailed out to the participants.
How often do you meet your match?
Mentors and protégés are welcome to meet as often as they would like, but we require at least 3 in-person meetings during the 6-month program. interVivos performs check-ins throughout the 6-month program and provides resources to assist you with your match. Some participants continue to meet and stay in touch but that is not an expectation of interVivos.
Do we collaborate with other organizations?
Yes! In Fall 2019, we worked with the Edmonton Heritage Council to offer a program for Edmonton’s heritage sector. Send us an email if you’d like to work together.
How can I find out about the next launch?
You can:
- check out our events page;
- sign up for our mailing list; and/or
- follow us on social media.
We are always looking for mentors. Email us to find out more.
Winter 2019 Mentors
- Ammneh Azeh, User Experience Manager at Alberta Health Services
- Debra Kasowski, Founder and CEO of Debra Kasowski International
- Andrew Livingstone, Manager, Communications and Public Relations at Legal Aid Alberta
- Dr. Bonnie Islam, Paediatrician at Alberta Health Services, and Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Alberta
- Jesse Meyer, Principal at Incite
- Hin Lai, Founder and CEO of Sidekick
- Kathryn Joel, Founder/Owner of Get Cooking
- Kimberley Warawa, Improvement Specialist for the Government of Alberta
- Matthew Garrett, Owner/Baker of Doughnut Party
- Ricardo Casanova, Managing Partner at Visitor Bay Inc.
- Rowena Cui, COO/Owner at PlanIt Sound, Inc
- Sarah Burghardt, President at Insight Human Resources
- Simon Underwood, Owner of Doughnut Party
- Tim Gourlay, Owner of Fitset Ninja
- Tyler Sherard, Executive Director, Friends of University Hospitals/McMullen Gallery
Summer 2019 Mentors
- Alana Williams, Senior Account Director, DDB Canada
- Barb Hudkins, Owner, Director/Learning and Development Manager, BHB Academic Consulting Inc./Volunteer Alberta
- Caren Hui, VP of Misc. Stuff, Yogalife Studios
- Carina Ludgate, Founder and Principal, Henryk Branding Co.
- Erum Afsar, Director of Enforcement, The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta
- Fawnda Mithrush, Executive Director, Litfest
- Jill Chesley, Senior Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, City of Edmonton
- Kelly A. Buckley, Director at Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, Government of Alberta
- Linda Ha, Owner, Barber Ha
- Marnie Gomes, Assistant General Manager, Edmonton Convention Centre
- Marta Gomez, Executive Director, The King’s University Foundation
- Moira Váně, Crown Prosecutor, Government of Canada
- Naz Sohni Uppal, Television Personality/Radio Personality/Reporter/Producer/Author
- Paula Kirman, Freelance Communications Professional
- Stephanie Coombs, Director, Journalism & Programming, CBC Edmonton
- Trudy Nastiuk, Executive Director, Safety & Compliance Services, Government of Alberta
Fall 2018 Mentors
- Grant Ainsley – Grant Ainsley Inc.
- Chantelle Beasley – Entrepreneur/Business Owner, Aradia Fitness
- Dr. Mundeep Chana – Family Doctor/Hospitalist, Cross Cancer Institute
- Miranda Jimmy – Community Connector
- Trish Kushniruk – Principal, Incite
- Sean Lee – Urban Planner, City of Edmonton
- Darwin Li – IT Team Lead, Edmonton Police Service
- Maureen McCaw – Entrepreneur, Chair of the CBC Pension Fund and Past Chair of Edmonton International Airport
- Melanie Mok – Brand Engagement Manager, Earls Restaurants
- Ashley Morgan – Executive Officer-Marketing, Communications and Strategy, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association
- James Murgatroyd – Owner/Digital Strategist, James Murgatroyd Communications
- Howard Poon – VP, Director of Design, DDB Canada
- Jim Rudolph – President, JGR Communications
- Scot Rutherford – President and CEO, Scott Builders Inc.
- Naz Sohni Uppal – Television Personality/Radio Personality/Reporter/Producer/Author
- Rick Vogel – Founding Principal, The Vogel Group
Spring 2018 Mentors
- Brenton Driedger – Assistant News Manager, 630 CHED & iNews880
- Catherine Keill – Vice President, Development and Donor Relations, United Way Alberta Capital Region
- Cherri Burdeyny – Associate Vice President, Health and Benefits at Aon
- Cheryl Oxford – Issues and Media Relations Manager, City of Edmonton, Office of the Mayor
- Christopher Fletcher – Founder, BounceBox and Program Facilitator, Startup Edmonton
- Erin Clyde – Director, Foundry Conferences & Events
- Ian O’Donnell – Executive Director, Downtown Business Association
- Janice Sarich – President, It Begins With You Inc.
- Kevin Gunderman – Interim President & CEO, Northlands
- Kristi Wozniak – Founder/Owner, KEYLIME Athletic Wear
- Leslie Beard – Principal, LBcommunications
- Nafisa Bowen – Development Officer, Major Gifts, Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation
- Paula Kirman – Communications/Media Professional (self-employed) – website
- Rob Fragoso – Senior Director, Individual Giving, United Way of Alberta Capital Region
- Saher Ghattas – CEO, Flawless Inbound
Fall 2017 Mentors
- Alison Poste – Government Relations Specialist
- Beverley Theresa – Social Media Strategist
- Anand Pye – Executive Director, NAIOP Edmonton
- David Bridges – COO, CompuVision
- David Dorward -Dorward & Company LLP Chartered Accountants
- Gerry Morita – Artistic Director, Mile Zero Dance
- Harriet Tinka – Empowered Me
- Jacqueline Biollo – President/CEO, A Songbird’s Solo
- Kathy Leskow – Owner, Confetti Sweets
- Ken Cantor – President, PRIMAVERA Development Group
- Kirsten Goa – Community Organizer
- Larry Scarbeau – Executive Director, Metis Urban Housing
- Mike Kluh – Program Manager, City of Edmonton
- Raj Dhunna – COO, Regency Developments,
- Reg Cheramy – CEO, Stormboard
- Serena Mah – Media & Communications Consultant
If you have questions, mentorship@intervivos.ca is always happy to receive them! We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.