Engage in Mentoring

“My experience with the INFORMS Mentor Match program has been incredibly rewarding. It has provided a structured framework for fostering meaningful relationships and guiding the next generation of professionals in our field. Watching my mentee grow in confidence and navigate new opportunities has been a highlight of the experience. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to make a positive impact through mentorship.”

— Hung Po Chao, President & CEO, Energy Trading Analytics, LLC

“The INFORMS Mentor match program is an amazing resource that I would recommend to others. I appreciated getting to participate in choosing a mentor that would be a good fit for me and found the program valuable in furthering my career. I will definitely keep in touch with my mentor going forward.”

— Maggie Mulich, Pharmacy Business Analyst, The University of Kansas Health System

“Participating in the INFORMS Mentor Match program has been a transformative experience. It allowed me to share my expertise and inspired me with fresh perspectives and renewed passion for innovation. This program truly bridges generations to drive our field forward.”

— Ram Kumar Nimmakayala, Data Engineering Leader, Western Governors University

“I am so grateful for the dedicated guidance provided by the INFORMS Mentor-Mentee Program. These past few months have been truly enriching, and I am especially thankful for being matched with my fantastic mentor... I have learned so much from my mentor during our monthly meetings. We’ve covered a wide range of topics, and I am so happy that we will continue to maintain our mentorship and collaborative friendship. I highly recommend anyone to sign up for this program by INFORMS. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow with the support of outstanding academics and industry experts. Thank you, INFORMS, and thank you to my mentor for this fantastic experience!”

— Zsofia Baruwa, Student, University of Kent

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The Spring 2026 session is coming soon!

Be a part of the INFORMS Mentor Match program!

Mentees - benefit from the experience of your fellow members and

Mentors - enhance your own communication and leadership skills while empowering others to reach their aspirations.

-We offer two five-month sessions per year, beginning in October and April.

-Mentee registration will open April 18 if you'd like to be a part of the Spring 2026 session.

-The mentee will complete and share with their mentor a goals worksheet prior to the first session.

-There will be a “Welcome to Mentor Match” call on the first day of the session to go over details and answer any questions you may have.

-Mentors and mentees are expected to connect for at least one hour per month (via phone, Zoom, Teams…)

-Mentees will receive a “check-in” email monthly to ensure that you are indeed connecting with your mentor regularly.

Any questions, please take a look at the Mentoring FAQ’s, or email Garrett Johnston at gjohnston@informs.org.

START

First, complete your INFORMS profile. Make sure your email is up to date, add a recent professional profile picture, and import your information from LinkedIn.

ENROLL

Next, complete the online enrollment:

• Enroll as a Mentor
• Enroll as a Mentee

Please note that some fields are required for enrollment; others are optional. Potential matches will be able to search the directory by these demographics.

SEARCH

Use the directory to input your search criteria.

If your search turns up too few options, widen the parameters and try again. If you can't find a suitable match, contact Garrett Johnston, gjohnston@informs.org for assistance.

CONNECT

Once you've found someone you'd like to work with, click on the member's name. Click on the Request Mentor button to send a message.

At the start of your mentoring relationship, it's important to set goals. Complete the goal-setting worksheet to help you think through what you want to get out of your mentoring experience. Then set up a call or meeting with your mentor and share your goals with them.

Questions? Check out our Mentor Match FAQs!

Important Dates

Mentor Enrollment Period - March 17 - April 17, 2026
Mentee Enrollment Period - April 18 - April 28, 2026
- PLEASE NOTE: Mentees - only request 1 mentor! Do not request multiple mentors. Thank you.

Next session begins on May 4, 2026
and runs until October 4th, 2026

Your Mentoring Relationships

Mentor Match FAQs