Stories

For many mentorship programs, recruiting mentors with the necessary background and desire to mentor who meet the needs of their mentees is an ongoing challenge. In 2025, pressures on business and organizations related to volatile economic conditions, affordability challenges and skills shortages can squeeze out the time and capacity needed to be a volunteer mentor. In this session, we discuss as a community of practice the challenges and opportunities of being a mentor and what makes a difference in recruiting quality mentors.

Since 2019, we have learned alongside organizational partners about the challenges, strategies and community-grown ideas to connect newcomer mentees with mentors. We see the strength, expertise and growth of the network as one of the key gains of the Alberta Mentorship Program. So we thought it was time for a new name. In January 2025, the Alberta Mentorship Program (AMP) becomes the Alberta Immigrant Mentorship Network (AIMN).

Alberta Mentorship Program Presents Cultural Diversity in the Workplace. Ravi Govindasamy shares how to recognize what’s needed in the Canadian workplace, how to succeed and understand Canada’s culture in Alberta and how our diversity is evolving and ways to adapt from your previous culture while retaining it. Ravi was born in South Africa, educated in Business in the United Kingdom and moved to Canada in 1987. He is a residential realtor and has worked in home renovation and sales and as an Ecommerce Representative for Corporate Express and Staples. He volunteers as a mentor for the Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council, at Ronald McDonald house as well as feeding the homeless through the Edmonton Sai Centre. We are thrilled that Ravi shared his experiences and expertise in this session.

In this engaging and informative session, Moe Esmaeili delves into the art of networking, sharing theoretical and practical tips and strategies for building meaningful professional relationships. Drawing from his own experiences as a newcomer to Canada and a seasoned mentor, Mohammad provides insights into how to effectively network both online and offline, approach potential connections with confidence, and leverage networking opportunities to advance your career. Whether you are new to networking or looking to refine your skills, this talk will equip you with the tools and inspiration needed to navigate the job market and achieve your career goals.

We are pleased that Lynette Trembley, founder of Iconoclast Solutions and confound of Stay Spicy Inc. is joining us to share how to bring your personal brand to a job interview. You will learn the myths about personal brand that could reduce your performance in a job interview and what recruiters and employers are looking for from job seekers in an interview. You will learn how to overcome barriers to sharing your value in the interview and how to communicate your personal brand in a job interview. Through Stay Spicy Inc. Lynette empowers everyone to be their most courageous, authentic and spicy self. She has also worked as an executive in investment services and strategic innovation in Edmonton. Lynette is a mentor with the Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council as well as volunteering on the boards for the Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and Compassion House Foundation and Society 5.0, an innovative initiative to support integration of advanced technology into businesses.