Advanced Career
& Executive
Mentorship Program

AIGA NY is committed to our mission of “Championing the future of design for all.”

AIGA NY Executive Mentorship Program Vision

To create a tailored, inclusive mentorship network that connects executive-level and advanced career design leaders through meaningful, one-on-one-relationships (and collaborative group interactions). It aims to empower participants to navigate leadership challenges, spur innovation, and contribute to a supportive professional network of mutual growth to those with roughly 10 years or more of experience in the industry.

We remain committed to advancing diversity in design education, discourse, and practice, ensuring that design continues to be a meaningful and inclusive force in society. ⁠

Enrollment closes Apr 16, 2025

Program Fee:
AIGA Member - $300
Non-member - $400

What We Provide

  • 1:1 Peer Mentorship

    We carefully review each application and pair you with a peer mentor to foster mutual beneficial relationships (with potential round-robin option to connect with multiple mentors within a cohort’s duration)

  • Networking

    We provide access to other creative leaders across the program to share resources and connections within the cohort via Slack in addition to a group meeting on Zoom and an in person events

  • Industry Leadership

    We facilitate meaningful conversations and share insights to help leaders adopt better practices—creating benefits that extend beyond individual companies and contribute to the broader design community

How It Works

  • The Matching

    Peer mentors are carefully hand-paired based on needs and interests. Some may seek peers with similar experience to bounce ideas off, others may be looking for coaching with difficult business challenges, while many may be looking for coaching to get them to the next level. Sharing these challenges in the application process 100% informs the selection process.

    Note: matches are made by humans, not AI.

  • The Meetings

    The program provides a suggested structure of once-a-week 1 on 1 meetups with occasional expansion with other pairs. Each meeting will provide a prompt that each pair may choose to use to start each conversation. There will also be actionable resources and support to foster a productive peer mentorship experience. Mentors and mentees have access to select AIGA NY events and network of professionals, especially those with a focus on team leadership and other specific business objectives. We expect mentors and mentees to commit to a minimum of 6 weeks, and a minimum of one full cohort meeting that will happen monthly.

The Programming

Weekly Peer Mentor 1:1s
Each duo will meet as often as they are comfortable within the 6-week period and potential rotation weeks to meet additional people. (Wild card week)

Weekly Slack Starters
Acknowledge the knowledge available from a group of leaders in the industry and pose questions each Thursday on Slack to spur discussion and engagement. These questions can help foster discussion amongst peer mentors and be the discussion starters for each meeting. The hope is that these lead into stories.

Month 1 Zoom Roundtable
Meeting as a cohort, the hope is that everyone can share their insights and themes around issues and opportunities we have as an industry. This will lead into our in-person event the following month, making it a little easier to network and connect with those you’ve already met on Zoom.

Month 2 IRL Meetup
Assemble the team for a mega-project/discussion that can be shared out as a memento of the experience. Maybe even just an in-person meet and greet and photo op. Make it a meaningful interaction that could only happen in the room…and you don’t want to miss.

Yearbook 
Each participant will have access to a listing of all the people, with short bios, LinkedIn info, and contact information via AIGA NY microsite.

Program Timeline

  • April 1, 2025

    Open enrollment begins. Peer mentor pairings will be curated by Mentorship cohort leads.

  • May–July

    Accepted participants will attend kick off event and meet their mentor and cohort. AIGA NY will host occasional community events, provide resources, and support to guide mentorship relationships.

  • August

    The program steps back gradually. Peer mentors set their own pace and may continue based on the needs and the relationship.

What this program is and isn’t

What it is

  • A 6-week cohort of peer mentors engaging with each other across the industry

  • A growing network in a low-pressure, supportive environment to connect with peers on a regular basis in what can often seem like a lonely position in a highly competitive industry

  • It’s more than a leadership podcast. It’s more than an executive course. It’s tailored to your specific needs while mutually beneficial for both parties

  • Dedicated time for you to take a step back and look at your career and get guidance

  • Conversations and guidance advocating for design at the C-Suite level with ROI backing

What is isn’t

  • An expensive leadership development course

  • A university-backed business course with accreditation 

  • A program for emerging designers or students

Who is this program for?

  • Agency owners looking to connect and learn from each other

  • In-house and other leaders looking to advance to the next level

  • Seasoned design leaders looking to continue their relevance

  • Emerging leaders looking to develop team mentorship skills

  • Established leaders wanting to help the next generation of leaders

Get Support From Your Employer

If you're interested in joining our peer mentorship cohort, consider asking your employer to sponsor your participation. We've created a simple guide and sample email to help you make the ask.

Please contact Stacey Panousopoulos here →

Questions?

Email us at mentorship@aigany.og with any questions regarding the peer mentorship program.

AIGA NY Executive Mentorship is a fee-based program.

Corporate Sponsorship

Is your organization interested in partnership or corporate sponsorship? Please contact Stacey Panousopoulos here →