When Nicholas Boyd-Mathews first began mentoring for FINSIA a decade ago, the programs started with a formal launch at a face-to-face event.
Five to ten mentors, who usually knew each other, would meet mentees at a venue where they paired off, were given a briefing and a booklet to follow and fill out. A catch-up for the class halfway through the course and final celebration would also take place over a drink.
Even before COVID-19, that was no longer happening as swapped resumes started the matching process. There were fewer coffee meet-ups as mentors and mentees could be on either side of the country.