Nicsa’s Mentorship Program Pairs Emerging Leaders with Member Firm Executives

By: Nicsa Next Gen Committee

In 2026, the Nicsa Next Gen Committee relaunched its mentorship program, pairing emerging industry professionals with experienced leaders through a tailored survey designed to align shared interests, goals, and development needs. The program aims to help mentees develop their leadership skills, expand their networks, and achieve their professional development goals as they grow their knowledge within the financial industry.

What Is Mentorship?

Ideally, mentorship is a two-way exchange of thought and perspective between the new industry professional, or mentee, and the senior industry professional, or mentor. As Jim Fitzpatrick, Nicsa President and CEO, describes it;

"Developing the next generation of industry leaders is central to Nicsa's mission. This mentorship program represents exactly what Nicsa does best—bringing people together to learn from one another and strengthen our industry." Jim Fitzpatrick, President & CEO, Nicsa

The Next Gen mentoring relationship can be defined by three pillars;

1. Leadership – Mentors provide access to role models, provide guidance on industry norms and understanding of the industry generally, and help to groom their mentees to be future mentors themselves – while both mentee and mentor work together to develop cross generational perspectives of the industry.
2. Retention – Mentors help their mentees advocate for themselves to navigate the opportunities and pitfalls of the industry, drive inclusion and empowerment, and provide guidance and insight on how to achieve goals as the mentee matures within the industry.
3. Engagement - The mentorship relationship helps expand cross-generational networks for both mentor and mentee, and acts as a gateway to further participation in Nicsa-sponsored industry events.

What the Next Gen Wants and Needs

In informal conversations with a small sample of Next Gen peers, several common themes emerged around what rising professionals value in a mentorship relationship. These included authenticity and transparency, clearer career development guidance, a sense of purpose and connection, and a relationship that feels reciprocal rather than one-directional. Some also noted the importance of flexible, digitally oriented communication, timely feedback, appropriate independence with support, and an environment where mentees feel comfortable asking questions and sharing perspective.

While the themes shared by mentees were often similar, each mentorship relationship should be shaped by the individual mentee’s needs and the mentor’s strengths. The most effective mentors are those who can build trust, encourage honest dialogue, and offer experience-based guidance that meets the mentee where they are in their career journey.

Mentees in the earliest stages of their careers may need guidance on industry norms and support in shaping an initial career path. As they gain experience and deepen their industry knowledge, understanding the “why” behind the work becomes increasingly important. Later, as rising professionals build skills and confidence, they may benefit from more nuanced guidance on navigating complex relationships, decision-making, and the challenges that come with greater responsibility.

Mentors, in turn, can gain meaningful insight from their mentees into the priorities, expectations, and perspectives of the next generation of professionals. These relationships can help mentors better understand how the industry is evolving while also offering the personal satisfaction that comes from helping develop future leaders.

‘How it’s Going’ (Program Progress; Voices from the Partnerships)

Current participants in the Nicsa membership program reported a better understanding of career navigation, a broadened perspective, and better cross-firm connection after participating in the program. Some of the participants shared their outlook on the experience:

"Participating in the Nicsa Mentorship Program has been incredibly rewarding. Being paired with a senior leader outside of my own firm has given me access to a trusted mentor and sounding board who has generously shared advice, encouragement, and insights drawn from her own leadership journey. Our discussions have helped me navigate career decisions, broaden my perspective, and continue growing as a leader.” Jessica Tombari, State Street (Mentee)

"Mentorship is about paying it forward, but it's also about learning from the people you support. […] I wanted to participate because I wouldn't be where I am today without people who took the time to invest in me. This felt like an opportunity to do the same for others. We're all shaped by the experiences and people who influence us, and the more we share what we've learned, the more we all grow together." Robert Mennow, Altruist (Mentor)

‘Join the Next Round’: Call for the Next Round

In early 2027, Nicsa will be kicking off the next cohort of its Mentorship program, designed to pair rising professionals with senior industry leaders within the Nicsa organization and membership. To learn more about the mentorship program or how to get involved, contact [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].