Mentoring Monday lets women from across Michigan connect, support one another

Women from across Michigan met virtually this week to meet, share ideas and support one other in both career and personal goals.

The virtual Mentoring Monday events, hosted by Advance Local and MLive Media Group, were held Monday, Feb. 22.

Last year’s event, which was held in-person, drew more than 200 attendees and 32 mentors to Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. There, women met others interested in business, entrepreneurship and advancing in their career goals. The event is part of the nationwide mentoring program for women.

Alyse Mathos attended last year and this year’s virtual event, and said she made great connections with other women.

The Grand Rapids resident, who works in the nonprofit sector, said the event attracts women from various industries who are at different points on their career path.

“Even though it’s virtual this year, I joined this event because I believe those connections are so important, and it’s become increasingly difficult in this era of virtual events,” Mathos said. “I thought this event would be a great way to continue to connect.”

Kim McLaughlin — a mentor and strategic, creative leader at Wolverine Building Group — led a discussion among women about stress management and productivity. She shared her own experience with becoming a “yes person” at work who struggled under an unmanageable workload.

“My plate was getting overloaded,” McLaughlin said.