WILD Mentorship Program Applications reach 100!

The peer-to-peer WILD Mentorship Program, free and open to all members of WILD, accepts applications in October 2025 for a 6 month cycle (January 2026 to June 2026).

Following the success of the first “official” program, we expect both new and returning participants.

  • Opportunity to both participate and lead in peer-to-peer cohort mentorship group style.
  • Participate at a deeper level by applying to be a group liaison.
  • Help build the WILD Mentorship Program by building on the success from the first round; the ONLY lighting-centric Mentorship Program offered at a national level.
  • Emerging-Professional and Student Focused Groups available
  • Fireside Chats + Professional Development Speaker Opportunities
Roadmap for WILD 2026 mentorship program timeline - graphic

It’s been such a rewarding experience connecting with inspiring women, growing both personally and professionally, and building meaningful relationships. Grateful to be part of a community that uplifts, supports, and empowers each other!
Lily Willis, MBA
Senior Marketing Manager at Acuity Brands | Brand & Product Marketing

For more information on the program and its initial successes read the LD+A article by our Mentorship Program Chairs.

Curious about the peer-to-peer model?
WILD Mentorship Builds Momentum
Connecting Peer-to-Peer.”

program leaders:
Sara Schonour and Sarah Richter

contact:
mentorship@womeninlightinganddesign.org

mission

The mission of the WILD Mentorship Program is to connect women – at all stages in their lighting careers – to learn from each other through structured mentoring, with the goals of fostering growth, enriching their professional experience, encouraging industry retainment, reinforcing and expanding networks, and accelerating advancement to the highest levels of leadership in lighting companies.


vision

The vision for the WILD Mentorship Program is a richly diverse, evolving community of participants from varied lighting professions who are committed to the WILD Mentorship Program, actively contributing to robust, ever-improving program content, and fostering a safe, inclusive, and non-competitive atmosphere where women can learn, share, and grow. Participants excel in their careers and involve as many women as possible to benefit from the program’s offerings. 

The goal of the WILD Mentorship Program is to connect women at all stages of their lighting careers, encourage leadership and support within the community, and create a safe space for WILD Members to share their experiences and learn from one another. The program will be small, peer-to-peer style groups, where all participants will take on both mentor and mentee roles to foster growth and expand networks.