Many mentoring initiatives struggle to deliver lasting results because they focus on launching a program rather than building an ecosystem. The difference is significant. Here is what separates a mentoring program from a mentoring culture and how to build the latter.

Many organizations launch mentoring programs with the best intentions. Months later activity slows, participation drops, and leaders conclude members simply were not interested. Usually the problem is not mentoring. It is program design. Here is how to build one that actually gets used.

Aza Damood, Upnotch Member, is an Experience Design Leader at Damood Design.

Casey Schaffer, Upnotch Member, is the Founder of Definitions Coaching and Consulting.

Élida Cruz, Upnotch Member, is a business transformation and leadership executive with more than two decades of experience driving digital innovation, organizational alignment, and customer-centered strategy in the financial services industry.

Susan Havill, Upnotch Member, is a Human Resources Business Partner and Organizational Development Consultant.

Luciana Monika, Upnotch Member, works in Human Resources at Virginia Tech.

Deb Haas, Upnotch Member, is a Workplace Joy Strategist and founder of The Unexamined Mind.

Angela Erickson, Upnotch Member, is the Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Bharath Narasimhan, Upnotch Member, is a seasoned expert in Strategic Sourcing & Procurement with nearly two decades of global experience across logistics, heavy machinery, hospitality, vendor management, and procurement analytics.

Michele Nolty, Upnotch Member, is a trusted HR Executive and former Chief People Officer with over 20 years of experience building people-first organizations that grow with purpose.

Britt Newton, Upnotch Member, is a Customer Success Manager at CAS with 25 years of experience across various industries.

Dalena Cain, Upnotch member, is a seasoned HR leader with over a decade of experience in people operations and organizational culture. Her expertise spans talent acquisition, performance management, employee relations, and compensation & benefits. She has partnered with industry leaders across various sectors to build inclusive, engaging, and empowering work environments.

Elizabeth Charron, Upnotch Member, is the President of HRPeopleCoach LLC.

Tabatha Jones, Upnotch Member, is a Career and Leadership Strategist at Empowered Leadership Coaching, LLC.

Sarah Farrar, Upnotch Member, is an HR Leader with over a decade of experience in building high-performing teams, scaling HR operations, and driving people-first strategies.

Casandra King, Upnotch Member, is a Human Resources Manager at Pursuit Aerospace.

Veronica L. Matthews, Upnotch Member, is the Founder and Chief Leadership Coach of VLM Coaching & Consulting Services, LLC.

Gisele Gomes, Upnotch Member, is a Talent and People Ops Leader.

Suzanne Crettol, Upnotch Member, is a Global Talent Acquisition Leader.