WiRL x GLEAM Mentor Program February 2026 - August 2026
"WiRL x GLEAM Mentor Program"- Registration now closed
Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders in the Restaurant Industry
500+ foodservice professionals can't be wrong! Since July 2020, GLEAM Network, an all-volunteer foodservice industry non-profit, has empowered over 500 Industry Professional Mentees through its acclaimed Signature Mentor Program — and now, GLEAM is partnering with Women in Restaurant Leadership (WiRL) to bring this transformative experience exclusively to women across the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry.
About the Program
It's the GLEAM Signature Mentor Program you've heard about — now turbocharged and just for WiRL members! GLEAM's Mentor Program is a 6-month, 1:1, structured Mentor Program pairing Emerging Industry Leaders and Emerging Executives/Execs with experienced Industry Leaders/Execs who volunteer and offer dedicated time to their Mentees for once-or multi-times monthly sessions. This special WiRL x GLEAM women-only cohort launches late February, 2026 and runs through late August, 2026, and it will kick off in person at the WiRL Summit in Charleston, SC.
The immersive, in-person kickoff session will be co-hosted by Sheri Miksa, GLEAM Inaugural Board Member & Mentor Program Leader, and Kelly Primus, CEO of Leading NOW. Attendees will benefit from Leading NOW's groundbreaking global research on "The Missing 33%® and "9 Key Differentiators™", all of which will help women who want to advance into senior leadership. Participants will also learn the difference between CAKE (Supportive) and PIE (Strategic) Mentoring and why the latter is more successful.
This program thoughtfully pairs experienced women executives with emerging female leaders and executives, creating powerful mentorship relationships that accelerate growth, increase confidence, and provide access to opportunity.
What's Included In This Special WiRL x GLEAM Structured 6-Month, 1:1 Mentor Program?
🔶 Two 1-hour mentoring sessions per month for six months (2X the usual 1:1 time!), with an experienced Industry Leader/Executive Mentor specially chosen for each Mentee.
🔶 In-person, 2-hour kickoff session at the WiRL Summit in Charleston on February 25, 2026 with bonus proprietary, expert content for aspiring women leaders. It's a chance for Mentee/Mentor pairs to meet/start to build rapport, gain valuable, specialized content for aspiring women leaders, and jumpstart their 6-month mentoring relationship!
🔶 Personalized Mentor matching based on your aspirations and career goals
🔶 Mentees create an individualized and actionable 6-month development plan - with support from their Mentors - including progress milestones
🔶 Added support of Behavioral SuperPowers™ Assessment and other leadership tools
🔶 Access to GLEAM's national network of 1000+ industry professionals (Mentors, Mentees, Committee Volunteers, Board/Advisory Board Members)
🔶 Ongoing resources: webinars, peer sessions, and wrap-up celebration
🔶 Use of Wisdom Share, GLEAM's 3rd party mentoring technology platform, for leadership development content, GLEAM-proprietary/Industry-specific content, as well as communications support and community connection
Who Should Register/Join Us?
(This special program is for female Restaurant, Foodservice, & Hospitality Industry Professionals & Managers, including from Supplier/Partner Company/Organizations)
✴ Emerging Leaders: Field Professionals, especially Above-Unit Leaders such as District/Area Managers, as well as Professionals and Managers at HQ/RSC.
✴ Emerging Executives and Executives: Director Level to C-Suite.
Registration Dates and Cost
⏩ 6-month, WiRL x GLEAM Mentor Program Dates: Launch on February 25, 2026 at the WiRL Summit in Charleston, SC; program runs through late August 2026
⏩ Registration: November 5 - December 14, 2025 (Registration closes at 11:59 pm PT on Sunday, December 14)
⏩ Mentor Program Cost for Mentees: Only $250 for the 6-month, 1:1 WiRL x GLEAM Mentor Program — that's about $20 for each 1-hour session with a specially--selected Mentor (assumes 2x/month for 1 hour each for 6 months; you may choose to have 30 min sessions 4x/month, in which case your sessions are only about $10 each)!
🔆No Cost for Mentors: We are grateful for your commitment as a volunteer to support the development of the next generation of Industry leaders!
Space is limited! Mentees and Mentors, register today!
What You'll Gain
🔶 Personalized Guidance – Receive tailored advice and strategies from a senior female executive who's been in your shoes.
🔶 Customized Growth Plan – Develop a focused, measurable plan to accelerate your path toward leadership milestones.
🔶 Critical Skill Development – Access tools like P.I.E. Strategic Mentoring™ and leadership assessments.
🔶 Expanded Network – Get connected with your Mentor's network and join a thriving GLEAM community.
🔶 Visibility & Confidence – Demonstrate your commitment to growth and position yourself as a future leader.
Get Involved
✴ Mentees: Invest in yourself and your leadership journey.
✴ Mentors: Give back by volunteering as a WiRL x GLEAM Mentor, guiding the next generation of women leaders.
✴ Companies: Sponsor Mentee registrations and invest in your team's growth
How Do I Register?
To enroll in this Special Mentor Program as a Mentee or Mentor, please follow this process:
Payment (Mentees Only)
Mentees Access the PayPal Link below and make the payment for the program. Save your PayPal receipt # to provide in the registration process.
Payment is not registration in the program. You also must fully register on our 3rd-party Mentoring Technology Platform, Wisdom Share, post-payment.
Next: Complete full registration including your Match Profile on our Mentor Program Platform here:
Mentors
Complete full registration including your Match Profile on our Mentor Program Platform here:
Key Points on Registration:
⏩ Register with personal email only
If you have been a participant in a GLEAM Mentor program previously, simply return to your profile page on Wisdom Share and select the WiRL program. You may update your profile information as well.
⏩ Mentees-Provide detailed information on what you wish to gain from the program. "What will success look like for you?" OR "What specific skills are you seeking?"
⏩ Mentors-Provide 2-3 skills and areas of expertise that you can provide as a Mentor
⏩ Both-Read and acknowledge our required documents, and select YES
In order to be matched, you must complete both your Profile and the 9 Match Profile sections.
Upon completion, you will see "Congratulations, you have successfully registered".
⏩Mentees- you may formulate your initial goal/s and add them to your profile.
⏩ The match process begins after the registration closes on 12/14. You will receive a series of emails on next steps as we near launch.
WiRL Summit
Once you have successfully registered for the WiRL x GLEAM Mentor Program, get your ticket for the Summit here: WiRL Summit Registration so you are onsite for the special in-person kickoff meeting on 2/25/26.
Still need help or have questions? Email Janis@gleamnetwork.net
Join Us!
To the next generation of Industry Leaders - who just happen to be women - don't miss this first-of-its-kind opportunity to elevate your career, connect with the best, and prepare yourself to lead the future of foodservice with confidence! Commit to the Special WiRL x GLEAM Mentor Program today, kicking off "live" 2/25/26 at the WiRL Summit. You are worth the investment!
For more Information about GLEAM, visit the GLEAM Website: www.gleamnetwork.net
For Mentor Program questions, please email: janis@gleamnetwork.net