[Webinar] Mentorship Matters: Developing Tomorrow’s Workforce Today
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 | 1-1:45 p.m. ET
Today’s businesses are increasingly hiring opportunity youth — and for good reason. These young workers bring talent, resilience, and fresh perspectives to the workforce, but many also face barriers that can hinder their long-term success at a company.
Mentorship is a proven solution to alleviate these challenges — and one that businesses are uniquely positioned to deliver.
When youth are paired with mentors, outcomes improve across the board. Studies show that mentored youth earn more over time, experience greater social mobility, and — critically for employers — build the skills that help them perform better at work.
In “Mentorship Matters: Developing Tomorrow’s Workforce Today,” we’ll explore how businesses can tap into mentorship networks and resources to help their young employees thrive. Join us to learn why investing in mentorship not only improves young employees’ performance and retention today, but also builds a more prepared, loyal workforce for the future.
What you’ll learn:
The importance of businesses supporting the personal and professional development of their young employees
What the stages of a successful mentorship process looks like in a business environment
The business benefits of strong mentorship programs, including how they improve organizational culture, employee retention, workplace inclusion, and staff development
The potential challenges that accompany youth mentorship programs — and how they can be mitigated
How to build an action plan for your business to develop or build upon existing mentorship opportunities
Meet Our Co-Host
MENTOR
MENTOR leads, expands, and strengthens the mentoring movement, building capacity to make high-quality relationships accessible to all young people.
Learn more: mentoring.org
Meet Our Speakers
Itzel Delgado
Senior Program Manager of Social Impact
Fidelity Investments
Itzel Delgado is a Mexican-American, first-generation college graduate. She is a Senior Program Manager of Social Impact at Fidelity Investments, leading the critical mentorship efforts of the Fidelity Scholars Program. Itzel brings prior experience in mentoring programs supporting first generation college students as well as youth mentoring at Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
She passionately believes in the transformative power of building relationships to help advance the educational and career aspirations of young people.
Itzel is passionate about courageously advocating for social and equitable change. Through her professional and personal lived experienced, Itzel aims to "lift as she climbs" to create opportunities for under resourced communities.
Jeronima Nix
Director of Workplace Mentoring
MENTOR
Jeronima Nix is the Director of Workplace Mentoring at MENTOR. Supporting organizations and employers in identifying their mentoring program model and scaffolding to success, Jeronima establishes high quality mentoring experiences and resources that support youth as they enter the job market and support employers in enhancing relationship centered practices in the workplace.
Jeronima understands there are many pipelines to youth success, and connecting them with employers who see, value, and support them is what inspires her to expand and innovate this national work. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Roger Williams University and a master’s degree in Higher Education & Student Affairs from the University of Connecticut.
Taja Hereford
Inclusive Hiring Manager
Responsible Business Initiative for Justice
Taja Hereford is the Inclusive Hiring Manager at RBIJ, supporting the organization’s efforts to help businesses access untapped talent by breaking down hiring barriers and building relationships with community-based organizations.
Prior to joining RBIJ, Taja worked in state government for Texas focusing on substance use prevention through coalition efforts. In addition to government work, she has worked with various nonprofit organizations that helped serve formerly incarcerated mothers and individuals helped get reintegrated into society. She has led workforce development opportunities at her previous work companies. Taja has a master’s degree in public health from the University of South Carolina.