By Joy King, 2025 TRUST President
When you think of mentorship, do you think of connection, advice and shared growth? You should! Mentorship is a powerful tool for advancing women in health care leadership. The right mentor can be a game-changer whether you’re charting your next career move, navigating challenges or simply seeking perspective from someone who has walked a similar path before you.
Our Mentorship Program has become a key offering of the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST. Each year, we thoughtfully pair emerging and experienced leaders based on goals, areas of expertise and lived experiences. These yearlong partnerships create space for meaningful conversations, honest reflection and professional development rooted in mutual respect.
“Mentorship has the power to impact both the mentee and mentor positively. As a mentor, you can guide and observe your mentee as she successfully navigates complex career and leadership decisions, achieves important goals, expands her professional network and improves her confidence while recognizing the value of her contribution to her organization and network.” ~ Diane N. (mentor)
Applications for the 2026 Mentorship Program will open in August. TRUST members at any career stage are encouraged to apply—both as mentees and mentors. We often hear the relationships formed extend well beyond the program’s formal structure, evolving into lasting professional friendships and trusted networks of support.
This program has a meaningful impact because it reflects the real-world experiences of working in healthcare. Mentors bring a wealth of knowledge from across the care continuum—executives, clinicians, administrators, innovators—and mentees bring fresh energy and a desire to grow. Together, they exchange insight and leadership.
“As a mentee, I felt incredibly fortunate for the opportunity. I had an outstanding mentor who was instrumental in helping me navigate tough challenges, and frankly, just helped me focus on myself. Often, in leadership roles, you focus on your team and forget that you also need mentorship. My mentor has been a listener, an advisor, a great sounding board and a cheerleader. I’ve loved the experience.” ~ Candace J. (mentee)
Mentorship is for anyone who loves the power of connection. Mentees should actively ask questions and listen with intent. Mentors must be collaborative and ready to lift up the women around them.
We designed our Mentorship Program for everyone, offering an incredible opportunity for both mentees and mentors—no matter where you are in your career. Keep an eye on our website and newsletters in August for more information on the Mentorship Program and the application form. There is a nominal fee for mentees and no fee for mentors.
Let’s support one another and move the whole industry forward!
Joy King serves as the 2025 TRUST President and is the CEO of the Animal Humane Society (AHS), one of the nation’s leading animal welfare organizations. Prior to AHS, Joy spent nine years at NMDP (formerly the National Marrow Donor Program and Be the Match), where she was Chief Advancement Officer and Executive Director of the NMDP Foundation. Joy spent 16 years in leadership roles at the American Cancer Society, ultimately serving as Senior Vice President of Operations for the organization’s Midwest division. Joy has served on the board of Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Inc.’s Emerald Foundation and Jeremiah Program. She has been recognized by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal as a 2015 Women in Business, Twin Cities Business Magazine’s Best In Class Healthcare Executives, Greenspring’s 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders in Minnesota, and Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives.