
Mentorship Program Structure

Our Mentorship Program is structured in a 10-week cohort format where Mentees are mentored by a senior experienced Mentor.
The mentees can either be part of 1:1 Mentorship (Mentor: Mentee) or Mentorship Circles (1:N with N = 2 to 4).
Mentees can choose from one of the three offerings being provided under Mentorship Circles for the 10 weeks engagement.
Mentorship Program Offerings:
Career Building/ Transitioning
Focused on those who are new to PM and aspire to acquire Project Management skills ex. Engineers, Comms Specialists, Business Analysts etc.
Leadership Skills Development
Focussed on those who are already Project Managers, Scrum Leads, Engineering Managers, People Managers who aspire to move into Leadership Roles
Technical Program Mgmt.
Focussed on those who are in the Tech industry as IT PMs, Scrum Leads, Engineering Managers and aspire to move into Tech Leadership Roles
Key Dates for Mentorship Program 2026:

Interested in being a mentor or mentee? Reserve your spot now!
Reach out to mentorship@pmisfbac.org for any inquiries.
Interested in Being a Mentor or Mentee?
Reserve your Spot Now!
Mentorship Program Impact - 2023 Stats!
Total # of Participants
189
# of Hours Volunteered by Mentors
650+
Impact of Mentorship Program in meeting mentees career growth
4.7 / 5
Mentee Testimonials
Our Mentor Community

The Mentorship Program's success is a testament to the unwavering spirit of our mentors. Our mentors bring expertise, commitment, and resilience to guide and empower mentees. From industry leaders to startup founders, from executive coaches to everyday heroes, our mentors bridge diverse backgrounds with a singular passion: igniting mentee potential.
Our annual Champion Awards recognize the extraordinary impact our mentors have. Discover their stories and become part of this dynamic community where careers flourish.

Become part of this dynamic movement!
Join our vibrant community of passionate mentors and share your knowledge, experience, and support the next generation of leaders. You can make a difference by helping someone reach their full potential.
JOIN THE MENTORSHIP COMMUNITY
BECOME A MENTOR
Reach out to
Mentorship Program Team
mentorship@pmisfbac.org

Mahesh Deshpande
Mentorship Team Mentor
Mahesh Deshpande
Mentorship Team Mentor
Mahesh Deshpande is a data-driven business transformation leader with over 15 years of consulting experience in leading cross-functional digital transformation initiatives across geographies to drive innovation and change. He specializes in Data & Analytics Product Program Management and is known for his passion for data storytelling and design thinking.
Mahesh volunteers with the Project Management Institute (PMI) San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, where he leads a mentorship program for project management leaders. Under his leadership the program has grown to support 200 participants annually and developed a strong mentor community. Mahesh is also the host of Mentorship Masterminds podcast, where he interviews industry leaders on topics related to leadership, innovation, and professional development.
Mahesh is awarded the Visionary Leader award in 2023 and the Outstanding Leader award in 2021 from PMI.

Jen Louie-Abernathy
Mentorship Program Director
Jen Louie-Abernathy
Mentorship Program Director
Jen has over 20 years of experience working in Financial Services where she applies her Business Analysis and Data Analysis skills in designing applications and processes, implementing sound technical solutions, and writing documentation. In her work, she has planned, coordinated, and led technology deliveries working closely with business, development, and analytics teams. Jen's expertise is in Enterprise Client Data and Householding, and has experience in Core Banking Platform migrations and data migrations.
Jen volunteers with the PMI SFBAC where she drives the operations execution of the Mentorship Program. Jen is responsible for pairing the mentors and mentees based on their skills and aspirations, providing communications, and supporting the engagement of 200 participants in the program. Jen has received Outstanding Volunteer Award for 2023.

Misha Rubesch
VP Mentorship
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Sydnie Lau
Mentorship Program Marketing Manager

Zeba Ladiwala
Mentorship Program Outreach Manager
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Richard Shade
Mentorship Program Consultant



