Intergenerational Career Pathways Symposium
MENTOR New York
New York, New York
Fostering co-mentoring relationships between younger and older people to open doorways to economic freedom
The Intergenerational Career Pathways Symposium will develop and foster mentoring relationships between younger and older generations to build knowledge and practices that can lead to increased economic freedom. The initiative will advance economic opportunity for younger people by introducing them to diverse career pathways, teaching them valuable networking and interviewing skills, and equipping them with tools to establish trusting relationships with adults in and outside of work. It will advance economic opportunity for older people by fostering connections with younger people in their communities, decreasing their isolation and loneliness, growing their support networks, and teaching them valuable tech skills.
Led by Brenda Jimenez, CEO
Brenda Jimenez is CEO of MENTOR New York, an affiliate of MENTOR. She was appointed in December 2019 and led the organization through the global pandemic. During the first 28 weeks of the pandemic, she successfully pivoted and expanded services to support long-time partners and reach new partners, increasing the program portfolio by 55% and revenue by 10%. In 2023, she increased partner engagement and developed resources, tools and services that support over 2,300 mentoring programs throughout New York, serving more than 230,000 young people.
For the five years preceding this role, Brenda was Director of Operations and Growth Strategies for MENTOR New York, where she developed a clear tactical growth strategy that resulted in the organization becoming independent, opening an office in Buffalo, NY, expanding staff, and raising an additional $2.3 million, representing double-digit revenue growth year to year.
Before joining MENTOR New York, Brenda worked for Big Brother Big Sisters of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and United Way of Essex and West Hudson, providing organizational development consulting to local affiliates to help support national growth strategies, diversity initiatives, local affiliate mergers and closures.
Brenda received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Seton Hall University and an MPA in Public and Non-Profit Management Policy from the Robert F. Wagner School for Public Service at New York University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Executive Leadership from The Center of Leadership at The University of Charleston in West Virginia.