Building the internal mentoring program from genesis to completion

In 2018 United Health Group contracted Chantelle Anderson to co-create, establish, and facilitate the company’s first internal mentoring program for underrepresented minorities of high potential.

This 8-month program, internally named the OAS Accelerator Academy, was designed to offer an intensive peer-to-peer learning experience for highly talented minorities who demonstrated achievement in their current role and a desire to advance in leadership.

Through the implementation of monthly module sessions with the selected cohort, participants created a community of learning, built professional relationships, and developed the skills to support meaningful progress in both their careers and their organization.

Together, in partnership with UHG team, Chantelle created the structure, learning objectives, timeline, and deliverables of the Accelerator Academy. This included coordinating the selection committee, executive sponsors, planning team, and marketing and communications team. The first cohort launched three months after the process began.

Independently, Chantelle wrote and facilitated the educational curriculum for the Accelerator Academy, specifically tailored to meet the needs of cohort participants.

The core components of the resulting program were:

1. Monthly skill building modules covering necessary disciplines

2. Peer-to-peer networking and group challenges

3. External 1-on-1 career mentorship

4. Internal sponsorship pairings and instructions

In addition to the cohort curriculum, Chantelle wrote and facilitated educational workshops for the mentors and sponsors involved in the program to help them effectively support their mentees. The trainings covered topics such as understanding cultural differences, strategic communication, and navigating stereotypes and biases.

Customized Keynote Address for Global Android Summit

In 2019, Google contracted Chantelle to deliver the customized keynote address at their Android Global Summit for approximately 350-400 “Googlers” from their global team focused specifically on building business and partnerships for Android.

The audience was an extremely diverse mix of men and women of many ethnicities, with various organizational roles, including business development managers, engineers, carriers, and cross-functional partners such as marketing, finance, and human resources.

Speaking on “Building Strong Teams,” Chantelle combined Google’s company value statements - we are humble, we succeed when others succeed, and we put people first - with her inspirational principles of confidence, inclusivity, and leadership.

The goal of the 45-minute keynote and the 15-minute question and answer session was to provide tools to help their team stay true to their values as a global, inclusive company as they engage with outside partners.

As the attendees were a diverse group of both leaders and those being led, the talk served to support both underrepresented minorities and those who work with them at all levels.

The video of the talk can be found here: https://youtu.be/MDuFlovrjAc

Facilitated a half-day workshop as part of the UMOJA program

In 2019, independent of the Android Global Summit, Google also contracted Chantelle to facilitate a half-day workshop for their minority led Employee Resource Groups. The event was titled, UMOJA.

The 3-hour seminar, based on Chantelle’s TEDx Talk entitled, “Saving Yourself the Cost of Insecurity,” covered the seven foundational topics of the Academy curriculum modules, providing practicals and discussions around each.

Presented the Keynote Address for combined ERG workshop

In 2019, Charles Schwab in partnership with Professional Business Women of California, contracted Chantelle to present a 45-minute keynote and a followup Q&A session to a diverse group of women employees.

The keynote, based on Chantelle’s TEDx Talk entitled, “Saving Yourself the Cost of Insecurity,” covered the seven foundational topics of the Academy curriculum modules, providing practicals for each.

Facilitated a half-day combined ERG workshop and executive Q&A session

In 2019, Astellas Pharmaceuticals contracted Chantelle to facilitate a 3 1/2 hour in-person and virtual workshop for approximately 180 employees from all of their Employee Resource Groups.

The seminar, based on Chantelle’s TEDx Talk entitled, “Saving Yourself the Cost of Insecurity,” covered the seven foundational topics of the Academy curriculum modules, providing practicals and discussions around each.

Examples of the feedback received is included in the results section.

Following the employee workshop, Chantelle hosted a one-hour, Executive Q&A session over lunch. In attendance were the VP Global Head RWI, VP of Regulatory Affairs, Executive Director for Human Resources (Medical and Development), Co- Chair of LEAD ERG, Co–Chairs of Stellar Women ERG, and the VP of Employee and Corporate Communication.

We discussed inclusive leadership, insecurity while leading, organizational culture, and helping employees to be more confident at work.

Presented a keynote on confidence for women employees

 In 2019, Bank of the West contracted Chantelle to present a 45-minute keynote and a follow-up Q&A session to a diverse group of women employees. 

 The keynote, based on Chantelle’s TEDx Talk entitled, “Saving Yourself the Cost of Insecurity,” covered the seven foundational topics of the Academy curriculum modules, providing practicals for each.

Presented Keynote Addresses for individual business units

In 2021, Google contracted Chantelle to give two separate Keynote addresses for individual business units within the organization. 

The 45-minute talks and subsequent question and answer sessions were titled, “The Confidence to Lead,” and, “Confident Communication.” Each keynote was customized to meet the groups individual needs.

Facilitated the complete Academy curriculum over 8 months

In 2022, Chartis contracted Chantelle to partner in their engagement with Eskenazi Health System to facilitate the company’s first internal mentoring program for underrepresented minorities of high potential.

This 8-month program was built around the Academy curriculum, with monthly facilitation of seven modules, and one-on-one and group coaching for an initial cohort of 10 people.