CROSS MENTORING
Talent development that delivers results. Retention that matters. For strong women and successful companies.
Partner companies
Years of experience
Cross-Mentoring: Key Figures
Our upcoming CROSS MENTORING programs
Cologne
Düsseldorf / Ruhr Region
Leipzig
- COMING SOON
Frankfurt
Stuttgart
- COMING SOON
Vienna
- COMING SOON
What is CROSS MENTORING?
Unser CROSS MENTORING ist ein unternehmensübergreifendes Programm zur gezielten Karriereentwicklung von Frauen.
Über 13 Monate bringen wir Key Female Talents mit erfahrenen Führungskräften aus anderen Unternehmen in kuratierte Tandems zusammen.
Wir begleiten die Mentoring-Beziehung unter anderem mit:
Coaching & Career Planning:
Personal development with professional guidance and a clear focus on career goals.
Workshops:
Developing relevant skills through interactive and practical training.
Peer Group Meetings:
Sharing and mutual support within a group of like-minded people.
Networking events
Building valuable connections and gaining new insights through targeted networking events.
Coaching & Career Planning:
Personal development with professional guidance and a clear focus on career goals.
(Reverse-)Shadowing:
A change of perspective through insights into the tandem partner’s daily work routine.
Workshops:
Developing relevant skills through interactive and practical training.
Tandem conversations:
One-on-one meetings for reflection, goal-setting, and mutual support.
Peer Group Meetings:
Sharing and mutual support within a group of like-minded people.
Networking events
Building valuable connections and gaining new insights through targeted networking events.
Here's what our mentees have to say:
The effectiveness of CROSS MENTORING has been proven by research and science.
Mentees
achieve more, demonstrate greater competence, are promoted more quickly, build more connections, are better integrated socially, are less likely to quit, are more visible, are more confident, more satisfied, and better able to cope with stress.¹
Mentors
perform better, are more successful in their careers, feel a stronger connection to the company, develop new ideas and perspectives, enjoy greater social standing, and possess better leadership skills.²
Companies
benefit from a clear competitive advantage, a larger talent pool, increased employer appeal, lower turnover rates, more productive employees, and a positive contribution to ESG goals.
¹ (Eby et al., 2013; Ramaswami & Dreher, 2007; Öhlschlegel-Haubrock et al., 2014).
² (Ghosh & Reio, 2013; Chun et al., 2012; Liu et al., 2009).
³ (Ghosh & Reio, 2013; Payne & Huffman, 2005; Horvath et al., 2008).
Mentee Success Story
Jasmin Bumanowski is a prime example of the lasting impact of our CROSS MENTORING program. Since joining the program, she has climbed several rungs on the career ladder: When the program began, she was a Country Manager & Senior Strategist; today, she is Managing Director at Eurowings. Here’s what she has to say about her experience with CROSS MENTORING:
“The CROSS MENTORING program from FEMALE RESOURCES has been a real asset for both me and Eurowings. The dialogue with my mentor, Petra Rinnenburger, has opened up new perspectives for me, helped me hone my strengths, and fostered my professional growth. This benefits not only my career but also Eurowings as a company.”
Objectives of CROSS MENTORING
- Getting women ready for the next step in their development!
- Empowering women in their roles as professionals or leaders!
- Empowering the career aspirations of successful women!
- Retaining women at the company!
- Setting an example for the advancement of women, inclusion, and gender equality
- Enhancing the upcoming mandatory ESG reporting for companies in the social sector
ROI-Rechner
Berechnet hier den erwarteten wirtschaftlichen Nutzen eurer Teilnahme am CROSS MENTORING.
Hinweis: Grundlage der Berechnung ist ein von uns ermittelter durchschnittlicher ROI von 305 %
durch reduzierte Fluktuationskosten. Der tatsächliche Nutzen kann je nach Unternehmen variieren.
Die Berechnung basiert auf einem Richtwert von 7.500 € pro Tandem. Der tatsächliche Preis pro Tandem kann je nach Rahmenbedingungen variieren, z. B. abhängig von der Anzahl der benannten Tandems oder einer Mitgliedschaft im Bündnis MIT FRAUEN IN FÜHRUNG.
Du bist unsicher bei deiner Rechnung? In einem kostenlosen Ersttermin erklären wir dir alles – ehrlich, verständlich und unverbindlich.
Die Inhalte des Programms
Jedes CROSS MENTORING begleiten wir mit vielfältigen Rahmenveranstaltungen, Networking-Events, Workshops und vielen weiteren Programmpunkten. Die folgende Roadmap zeigt alle Stationen:
1. Digitaler Survey
Online-Fragebogen zur Erfassung der Karriereziele, Entwicklungsthemen, Erfahrungshintergründe, Präferenzen und organisatorischen Rahmenbedingungen aller Teilnehmenden.
2. Tiefeninterviews
Persönliche Einzelgespräche mit allen Mentees, Mentorinnen und Mentoren zur Vertiefung der Survey-Daten, Klärung von Erwartungen und Identifikation individueller Bedarfe.
3. Kennenlern-Workshop
In einem Workshop lernen sich alle Mentees, Mentorinnen und Mentoren untereinander kennen. Beobachtungen und Dynamiken fließen ins Matching ein.
4. Matching
Expertenbasierte Zusammenstellung der Tandems durch Female Resources unter Berücksichtigung aller erhobenen Daten.
5. KICK OFF
Den feierlichen Auftakt unseres Programms nennen wir intern liebevoll unsere Herzblattveranstaltung. Hier geben wir erstmals die Tandems bekannt – ein Moment voller Spannung und Vorfreude. Diese Veranstaltung markiert den offiziellen Startschuss der gemeinsamen Tandemzeit.
6. Stärkentest
Alle Mentees absolvieren den Gallup Strength Finder Stärkentest, um ihre persönlichen Stärken sichtbar zu machen und ein klares Verständnis für ihre individuellen Talente zu entwickeln.
7. Stärkencoaching
Auf Basis der Ergebnisse des Gallup Strength Finder Stärkentest arbeiten wir mit den Mentees daran, ihre persönlichen Stärken gezielt zu schärfen und wirksam im Berufsalltag einzusetzen.
8. Mentees Meetup
Ein lockeres Treffen in offener und ehrlicher Atmosphäre, bei dem sich die Mentees untereinander austauschen. In entspannter Umgebung entsteht ein wertvoller Erfahrungsaustausch mit Gleichgesinnten, der inspiriert und neue Perspektiven eröffnet.
9. Mentors Meetup
Ein digitales Treffen für Mentorinnen und Mentoren, um sich in ihrer Peergroup auszutauschen. Im Fokus stehen Erfahrungen aus dem Mentoring sowie gegenseitige Impulse und Tipps für die weitere gemeinsame Zeit.
10. Career Roadmap
In diesem Workshop reflektieren die Mentees ihre bisherige berufliche Entwicklung, definieren klare Ziele und erarbeiten konkrete Schritte für ihre weitere Karriere. Darauf aufbauend entwickeln sie eine individuelle Strategie, um ihr berufliches Profil, ihre Präsenz und ihre persönliche Wirkung gezielt zu stärken und einzusetzen.
11. CROSS MENTORING Boxenstopp
Die Halbzeit des Programms mit einem gemeinsamen Rückblick auf die bisherige Mentoringzeit und einem Ausblick auf die kommenden Monate. Raum für Reflexion, Austausch und neue Impulse.
12. Presence & Confidence
Im Workshop reflektieren die Mentees, wie sie durch Stimme, Auftreten und Präsenz ihre Wirkung gezielt stärken können. Dabei geht es um die Bedeutung von Personal Branding, authentischer Sichtbarkeit und einem souveränen Auftritt – für mehr Selbstvertrauen und Strahlkraft im Berufsalltag.
13. Meet the Schirmfrau
Die Mentees besuchen gemeinsam die Schirmfrau des Programms vor Ort und erhalten exklusive Einblicke in ihren Arbeitsalltag. Im Vordergrund des Besuchs stehen persönlicher Austausch, Inspiration und die Möglichkeit, Fragen direkt zu stellen.
14. CAREER TAKE OFF
Die feierliche Abschlussveranstaltung des Programms. Gemeinsam blicken wir auf die Entwicklung der Mentees zurück und richten den Fokus nach vorne – denn die nächsten Karriereschritte beginnen jetzt.
Our current CROSS MENTORING programs
CROSS MENTORING in Cologne
Women in Tech & IT
- Start: März 2026
- Target audience: Working women in specialist and leadership roles in the tech and IT sectors—such as software development, data and analytics, cybersecurity, IT architecture, or IT product and project management—as well as those who are on the verge of taking on such a role.
- Key areas: Personal and professional development, building leadership skills, strategic positioning within the company, and strengthening self-confidence, impact, and clarity in shaping one’s own career.
CROSS MENTORING in Cologne
Women in Finance
- Start: März 2026
- Target audience: Working women in specialist and leadership roles in controlling, finance and accounting, tax, and M&A, as well as those who are on the verge of taking on such a role.
- Key areas: Personal and professional development, building leadership skills, strategic positioning within the company, and strengthening self-confidence, impact, and clarity in shaping one’s own career.
CROSS MENTORING in Hamburg
Ambitious Women
- Start: November 2025
- Target audience: Working women in professional and leadership roles, as well as women who are on the verge of taking the next step in their careers. The program is designed for women who want to take on responsibility, further develop their roles, and actively and confidently shape their careers.
- Key areas: Personal and professional development, building leadership skills, strategic positioning within the company, and strengthening self-confidence, impact, and clarity in shaping one’s own career.
CROSS MENTORING in Cologne
Mothers in Management
- Start: September 2025
- Target audience: Mothers who are currently not in leadership roles—or are in limited leadership roles—whether by choice or due to external circumstances, and who have both the potential and the desire to (re)enter a leadership role or to strengthen their current role while achieving a better work-life balance.
- Key areas: Empowerment for Mothers in Leadership Roles + Strategies for Improving Work-Life Balance
CROSS MENTORING in Munich
Frauen in Führung
- Start: September 2025
- Target audience: Women with leadership experience and leadership aspirations
- Key areas: Support for career development + Preparing for the next career step + Building confidence in your new leadership role
CROSS MENTORING in Cologne
Young Professionals & New to Leadership
- Start: May 2025
- Target audience: Young professionals are young women in the early years of their careers who have completed a college degree or vocational training
- Key areas: Empowerment for Young Women in Leadership roles + Strategies for the Next Career Step + Confidence and Assertiveness in Your New Role
CROSS MENTORING in Cologne
Women in Tech & IT
- Start: Februar 2025
- Target audience: Frauen aus dem Bereich Tech & IT mit Ambitionen für Fach- oder Führungskarrieren, die ihre Expertise gezielt weiterentwickeln und sich strategisch für nächste Karriereschritte aufstellen möchten.
- Key areas: Empowerment für Frauen in Tech & IT durch gezielte Karriereentwicklung, Aufbau von Sichtbarkeit in einem männlich geprägten Umfeld sowie Stärkung von Führungsstärke und digitaler Innovationskraft.
Sophia Wischeidt and Alexander Kronenberg
about our CROSS MENTORING program
Feedback from tandems in our CROSS MENTORING programs
Mentor: Georg Kehrbaum
HR Leiter Region West
REWE Markt GmbH
Mentee: Dr. Kerstin Murges
Abteilungsleiterin Personal I Juristin
Diözesan-Caritasverband
für das Erzbistum Köln
Mentor: Athanasios Titonis
Geschäftsführer (COO)
Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH
Mentee: Christina Gabener
Abteilungsleiterin
Planung und Controlling
Deutsche Entwicklungsgesellschaft
Our Customer Satisfaction
A Look Back at Our Past CROSS MENTORINGS
Auftakt des CROSS MENTORINGS für Young Professionals & New to Leadership
Mit einem kraftvollen und emotionalen Abend am Köln Bonn Airport ist das CROSS MENTORING für Young Professionals und New to
Auftakt des 13. CROSS MENTORING – Fokus auf Frauen in Tech & IT
Mit einer feierlichen Auftaktveranstaltung fiel der Startschuss für das 13. CROSS MENTORING! Unter der Schirmherrschaft von Prof. Dr. Sylvia Heuchemer
12. CROSS MENTORING gestartet
Zwischen historischen Schätzen und neugierigen Gästen – Der gestrige Abend der Auftaktveranstaltung unseres 12. CROSS MENTORINGs im einzigartigen Kölnischen Stadtmuseum
Questions and Answers About CROSS MENTORING
CROSS MENTORING is a specialized form of mentoring in which the alliance companies collaborate on leadership development. Women who have already achieved success are supported in their career development by a mentor from senior management at another company within the alliance; at the same time, this opens up access to new networks for them.
1. Career development support:
CROSS MENTORING offers targeted support to help women advance their professional development and successfully navigate their next career step.
2. Preparing for the next career step:
Participants receive targeted preparation for their future professional challenges, particularly in leadership roles.
3. Building Confidence in New Leadership Roles:
The program helps women establish themselves in new leadership positions and fulfill their roles with confidence and competence.
4. Supporting women in taking the next step in their careers:
The goal is to specifically prepare women for the next step in their professional development and empower them to take it.
5. Strengthening the career aspirations of successful women:
Through mentoring, the career goals and aspirations of successful women are further strengthened and supported.
6. Retaining women at the company:
CROSS MENTORING also serves to retain talented women at the company over the long term and foster their sense of belonging to the organization.
7. Promoting Women, Inclusion, and Gender Equality:
The program sends a clear signal regarding the promotion of women, inclusion, and gender equality within the company.
8. Enhancing ESG reporting in the “Social” category:
CROSS MENTORING helps positively influence companies' mandatory ESG reporting in the social category by supporting initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion.
We are happy to provide companies interested in participating in CROSS MENTORING with information about the start dates of upcoming programs, the program structure, the necessary resources, and the program’s specific focus areas (e.g., IT or the public sector) and target groups (e.g., women being prepared for leadership roles or women who already have leadership experience).
Yes! Even if you’re not participating through your company, you can still join our CROSS MENTORING program as a mentee. We’ll find an experienced mentor from our network who’s the perfect fit for you.
Through this program, you can advance your career, gain new insights for your personal development, and network with inspiring mentors.
For us, nearly all participants are fully or partially funded by their companies. So feel free to talk to your employer to see if financial support is available for you as well. Companies benefit from CROSS MENTORING through more effective leaders, stronger employer branding, and improved employee retention.