Mentorship is often talked about as encouragement or support. At its strongest, mentorship is something more. It is a way to remove barriers, translate access into opportunity, and change how systems work for
people navigating them.
As the She’s Here Mentorship Program enters its fifth year, this understanding sits at the heart of its 2026 focus. Led by RaiseHER Co. in partnership with the University of Regina’s Champions of Change Club, the program brings together emerging leaders and experienced professionals in a project-based, in-person mentorship model rooted in real community challenges. This year’s theme centres on reducing barriers for Indigenous youth, women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals across workplaces, schools, and communities.
Leadership potential already exists. What is often missingis early access to guidance, networks, and institutional knowledge that help people move forward with confidence.
Why Early Access Matters
When mentorship shows up early, it shortens the distance between starting and sustaining leadership. It helps people understand how systems operate and how to navigate them without having to learn everything the hard way. This is why advisory guidance matters.
“Mentorship creates the most impact when it removes barriers instead of asking people to adapt to systems that were never built with them in mind. When access comes early, it strengthens leadership pathways and changes what becomes possible over the long term.” — Michelle Okere, Executive Director
Beyond Participation: How We Show Up as Advisors
The She’s HERE Mentorship Program is guided by Indigenous advisors and partners from start to finish, grounded in the principle of "nothing about us, without us." Lori Campbell, Vice-President of
Indigenous Engagement at the University of Regina brings a perspective rooted in Saskatchewan realities and student and community experiences.
Complementing this, the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation’s Executive Director, Michelle Okere, is supporting the program as an Advisor, contributing a national economic empowerment lens informed by the lived experiences of Indigenous women, youth, and Two-Spirit leaders and entrepreneurs across Canada. This includes helping identify next steps beyond the program showcase — such as connections, partnerships, or pathways like Indigenous Launchpad for projects that are ready to continue growing.
This balance of perspectives strengthens the integrity ofthe program. It ensures that mentorship is not abstract, but relevant. Not symbolic, but practical. Not transactional, but relational.
Culturally relevant mentorship does more than build skills. It builds confidence grounded in identity, values, and lived experience. That confidence shapes how people engage with institutions, advocate for themselves, and step into leadership. Over time, it also influences how organizations and
systems change.
“Culturally relevant mentorship builds confidence that is grounded in lived experience and identity. That confidence shapes how people move through institutions, how they lead, and ultimately how systems begin to change.”
— Michelle Okere, Executive Director
This is why IPF shows up as an advisor and why we are also calling others in.
Mentorship that removes barriers not only supports individuals. It builds leadership pathways and contributes to systems change when done collectively.
By sharing knowledge, lived experience, and guidance atcritical stages, mentors help shape environments where Indigenous entrepreneurs and leaders can move forward with confidence.
We hope this work inspires others to step into mentorship aswell. When advisors, mentors, and community leaders show up together, we move beyond participation toward shared responsibility, and that is how lasting change happens.
Learn More & Get Involved
Learn more about Indigenous Launchpad
Supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs through mentorship, training, and early-stage guidance.
🔗 Explore Indigenous Launchpad
Become a Launchpad Mentor
Support Indigenous entrepreneurs by sharing your experience, strengthening leadership pathways, and helping remove barriers through community-led mentorship.
Learn more about RaiseHER Co.
Creating community-led pathways for women and girls to leadboldly at every age and stage.
🔗 Learn more about RaiseHER Co. and the She’sHere Mentorship Program