Embedded Files
How Does the Program Work?
It's fairly simple: Every three months, we launch new mentorship groups. Each group has one virtual session with their mentor per month. Between sessions, we provide opportunities for cohort members to connect with each other. We also invite all mentees to join our cross-cohort social media groups and host in-person events in the cities that many of our mentees live in. Our aim is to establish a strong community so that participants stay connected even beyond our facilitated sessions!
We limit each group to 20 women to ensure a personalized experience where everyone is able to participate actively. Our mentees are extremely diverse: They come from a range of countries (over 30 so far!) and backgrounds, with anywhere from entry-level to 10+ years of work experience. Our only requirement is that prospective mentees hold a bachelor’s degree.
If you are either looking to get a foot in the door or are already working in a job in international affairs, then this community is for you! And the best part? You can apply to multiple cohorts to gain insights into different career paths within international affairs.
Who Leads the Mentorship Groups?
We are deeply grateful to the incredible mentors who are volunteering their time and energy to make this program possible. This whole endeavor would not be possible without them. You can find a brief description of our past mentors below.
Dr. Karen Donfried is the former President of the German Marshall Fund and Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs; she also served as U.S. Secretary of State Blinken’s top adviser on Europe and Eurasia.
Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook is the Executive Vice President of the Bertelsmann Stiftung and former executive director of the Future of Diplomacy project at Harvard University.
Farah Pandith is a leading expert on countering violent extremism at the Council on Foreign Relations and was the first-ever U.S. Special Representative to Muslim Communities.
Luisa Neubauer is a climate activist and key organizer of Germany's "Friday's for Future" movement. In addition, she published four best-selling books on climate justice.
Laura Barrón-López is the White House Correspondent for PBS NewsHour where she covers threats to democracy, right-wing extremism, and the 2024 election. She is also a CNN political analyst.
Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini is the founder and CEO of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) with nearly three decades experience as a peace strategist working on conflicts and crises.
Erika Mouynes is the former Foreign Minister of Panama and currently serves as the Chair of the Advisory Board for the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center.
CONFIRMED: Yuri Kim is the first Korean-American woman to represent the U.S. as an Ambassador and the first U.S. ambassador from Guam. She currently serves as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs.
Testimonials from Our Mentees
Karlotta
“Being part of this mentoring network has been a transformative experience, where I’ve had the privilege to connect with inspiring women who offer invaluable support and advice. I recommend it to any woman in foreign affairs; it’s a space where we uplift each other, share experiences, and find strength together. The guidance and insights from outstanding women leaders are truly priceless and something you won’t find anywhere else.”
Samar
“As a USAID Payne Fellow and a student in Georgetown University’s Master of Science in Foreign Service program, my experience with WIFAN has been instrumental in connecting me with accomplished women in foreign affairs and providing valuable insights into the field. WIFAN’s community and resources have helped me navigate my graduate program and career aspirations with confidence.”
Abby
“WIFAN is the rare professional network targeting women one to over twenty years out of graduate school, allowing them to make key connections at a pivotal moment in their career. Foreign policy stubbornly remains, in large part, a boys’ club, and it was tremendously beneficial to have the opportunity to talk through shared challenges with women about to take the next big step in their professional lives.”
Google Sites
Report abuse