Growing A New Generation of Diverse Leaders
As North Carolina demographics continue to shift, hospitals and health systems are increasingly focused on becoming more reflective of the patients and communities they serve.
Having a diverse workplace is one of the greatest assets of any organization to improving employee morale and promoting retention – both of which are critical to combatting growing healthcare workforce shortages.
Encouraging diversity in the workplace facilitates different perspectives that generate an abundance of distinct ideas and accelerates innovation for complex problems.
NCHA is committed to helping cultivate underrepresented women and men into healthcare leadership roles. We are launching a year-long mentorship program in 2019 to connect leaders who are willing to share their knowledge and experience to high-achieving women and men from underrepresented communities.
Underrepresented professionals will apply to participate in NCHA-facilitated events that offer inspiring educational opportunities, networking with industry leaders, and one-on-one coaching with a mentor who will serve as a professional ally in career development and advancement.
- Support the development of a diverse pipeline of new leaders for the field.
- Model a framework for professional growth and development.
- Emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion.
- Encourage learning and the exchange of information and ideas.
- Address challenges that exist in recruitment and promotion for executive-level positions.
- Create a safe space to gain confidence in areas of financial management, staff coaching, leadership development, and negotiating skills.
Mentor Application Process:
- Submit Online Mentor Application – Application Open Until: April 30, 2019
- Attach CV/résumé
- Attach Personal Statement (less than 500 words)
Criteria / Eligibility Qualifications
- Must be C-Suite Level Executives or equivalent
- Current healthcare professional with at least 10 years working experience
- Documented executive level leadership experience of no fewer than 4 years.
- An champion for diversity and inclusion.
Duration of Commitment
- 2 years for Mentors – encouraged but not required; at least one year required.
- 6 Face-to-face contact hours annually
- 1 -2 Telephone contact hours monthly
Mentor – Mentee Matching Term
- April – April of each year
Mentee Application Process:
- Submit Online Mentee Application – Application Open Until May 31, 2019
- Attach CV/résumé
- Attach Personal Statement (less than 500 words)
- Attach 1 Letter of Recommendation
Criteria / Eligibility Qualifications
- Self-identified member of a racially or ethnically minority population deemed as underrepresented in healthcare leadership roles.
- Possess at least seven years of work experience, including at least four years in health care; a graduate degree; managerial experience; and a professional goal to be a health care executive.
- Middle managers who have been identified for their high potential to be senior leaders.
Duration of Commitment
- 1 year for Mentees
- Commit to an investment of time
- 6 Face-to-face contact hours annually
- 1 -2 Telephone contacts monthly
Mentor – Mentee Matching Term
- April – April of each year
Anticipated Number of Participants: 5 – 8 matchings per year for a total of 10-16 participants total annually.
Individual interviews will be held with all potential mentors and mentees.
How matches are made
Mentees identify three goals they want to achieve through the course of the year.
Mentors are matched with mentees based on how well their strengths align with the mentees needs.
The program seeks to match people who are from similar organizations based on size, agency type, incorporation or other factors such as mentees interest.
Mentor-Mentee Pairing Notification
Participants will be notified of who they are paired with by July 1, 2019.
NCHA Staff Contact

Jai Kumar, MPH
Senior Director of Advancement
NC Healthcare Foundation
919-677-4157
jkumar@ncha.org