Shawmut Connect: Empowering Growth Through Mentorship

Welcome to Owner Impacts, a series dedicated to showcasing innovations, solutions, and leadership driven by our employee-owners—and powered by our people-first culture.

At Shawmut, collaboration and a willingness to help grow and develop each other are at the heart of our culture. Earlier this month, we launched another round of our Shawmut Connect mentoring program to foster relationships that empower our employee-owners to succeed.

Launched in 2019, the one-on-one mentoring program is anchored by a development plan, designed to provide a structured, rewarding mentoring experience for both mentors and mentees.

In celebration of National Mentoring Month, we asked some of our employee-owners who have participated in the program to share their experiences. From how the program has helped them grow to what motivated them to join, here’s what they said.

How has Shawmut Connect helped you refine your skills? 

“Mentoring has helped me refine my coaching skills—particularly when guiding individuals outside of my area of expertise. Instead of offering solutions based on my past experiences, I’ve learned to take a more consultative approach.”

What advice would you give to someone considering joining Shawmut Connect?

“It’s an invaluable resource and the insights and guidance you gain are incredibly beneficial. Knowing you have a trusted mentor to turn to for advice, address concerns, or navigate challenges makes the journey smoother and more rewarding.”

What does mentorship mean to you?

“In an experience-based industry like ours, mentorship is essential to professional development—both for individuals and the team as a whole. Mentorship to me means putting in the time to share lessons, stories, and guidance with those around you. This strengthens teams and enhances everyone’s experience.”

What motivated you to join Shawmut Connect?

“I wanted to continue growing and developing skills outside of my day-to-day responsibilities. I firmly believe the more perspectives you have, the better. Having a mentor outside of my team—who provides fresh, third-party observations, challenges me to think differently, and supports me—has been invaluable.”

What motivated you to join Shawmut Connect?

“I believe in the power of mentorship to inspire growth and create meaningful connections. I wanted to share my experiences and insights to help others navigate challenges and achieve their goals—while also learning from their unique perspectives and journeys.”

How has Shawmut Connect helped you grow in your career?

“As I continue to grow at Shawmut, my mentor has helped me shift my mindset from being an individual contributor to honing my team management skills and finding ways to support overarching company goals. My mentor helped me create specific, measurable goals, which really made them more of a reality than something abstract.”