2025 Mentor Protégé Program is Accepting Applications

Sign up for the 2025 session of NCA’s Mentor-Protégé Program!

 

Next year’s agenda will be entirely different from last year’s and tailored to ensure fresh, engaging content—even for returning participants. Whether you're looking to advance your career, expand your professional network, gain valuable insights from experienced mentors, or provide your protege useful advice and life lessons the mentor protege program is for you. The NCA Mentor-Protégé Program offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and development. Don't miss out on the chance to benefit from personalized guidance and build lasting connections in our community.

Exclusive Perks for Early Registrants

Sign up before October 6th and attend the Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) to enjoy exclusive perks, including a Mentor-Protégé Program Participant Badge Ribbon and a reserved seat at lunch with 2024 participants.

The APMP NCA Mentor-Protégé Program is more than just a mentorship initiative—it’s a pathway to success. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this program offers an unparalleled opportunity to grow, learn, and connect with the proposal management community. Join us and be part of this transformative experience!

Sign Up Before October 6 to Recieve Early Bird Perks

Information Session

Want more information? Sign up for the upcoming information session. Date TBD:

http://Mentor Protege Information Session Sign Up

Can’t attend the scheduled Information Session? No problem! Reach out to Sara Levene at Sara@apmpnca.org to arrange a one-on-one session that fits your schedule.

APMP NCA Mentor-Protégé Application

For More Information Visit:

 

Empowering the Next Generation of Professionals

Feedback

Quote from Psalms M., Protege 2024

Participating in the APMP NCA Mentor-Protégé Program has been an incredibly valuable experience. My mentor has been very helpful in supporting me with tasks I needed assistance with at work. She has taught me skills that enabled me to more easily complete tasks I found challenging. tasks I need assistance with at work. Her outside perspective has been invaluable, especially in helping me accept, adapt, and react to circumstances during the proposal process that are out of my control. My mentor has been ensuring we meet at a cadence that suits my current needs, and although we've faced some challenges with a 12-hour time difference, we've managed to meet several times a month. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to grow professionally.

Quote from Cheryl H., Mentor 2024

Participating in the APMP NCA Mentor-Protégé Program has been an incredibly rewarding experience. My protégé this year has been eager to learn and grow, and our regular meetings have focused on building her confidence, enhancing her networking skills, and learning how to develop a Capture plan. The connection we've built is so strong that we plan to continue meeting even after the program ends. I've mentored in this program before, and each time has been fulfilling. In fact, I am still in regular contact with a couple of my former protégés, who I now consider as friends. I highly encourage others to join and experience the same rewards. - Cheryl H., 2024 participant

Quote from Katie P., Protege 2024

As someone newly entering the Proposal Management industry, I recognized the importance of building a solid foundation in this field to make a meaningful impact as a Proposal Coordinator. To achieve this, I joined the APMP Mentor-Protégé program with the goal of broadening my knowledge and learning from experienced professionals. I saw this program as an invaluable opportunity to immerse myself in industry best practices, strategies, and techniques that would allow me to make a lasting impact in my role. Through the guidance and insights of my mentor, I aimed to enhance my skills, navigate challenges more effectively, and contribute to the success of my team and organization. My mentor provided invaluable guidance not only in navigating the business aspects of my role but also in emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, which I have found to be extremely beneficial. I have seen extensive growth in myself through my experience in the Mentor-Protégé program and know that the connections and lessons I have gained will continue to positive influence my career for years to come.

Quote from Hy Alvaran, Protege 2019

I joined the Mentor-Protege Program at just the right time. Before I found out about proposal development, conversations didn’t last long when people asked me what I want to do professionally because I honestly didn’t know. But now, I can talk about proposal development with my mentor for hours. He has provided me with advice and insights that have yielded tangible fruit: I got my Foundations Certification, I landed my first official proposal development job, and I’m a better contributor to my teams.

Quote from Hy Alvaran, Protege 2019

I joined the Mentor-Protege Program at just the right time. Before I found out about proposal development, conversations didn’t last long when people asked me what I want to do professionally because I honestly didn’t know. But now, I can talk about proposal development with my mentor for hours. He has provided me with advice and insights that have yielded tangible fruit: I got my Foundations Certification, I landed my first official proposal development job, and I’m a better contributor to my teams.

Quote from Evan Fitts, Protege 2019

I joined the Mentor-Protege Program in the midst of my first entry-level job/proposal position. At that point in my life, I realized that I was in the right profession, but did not have a good sense of what long-term career I could have in this industry. Thanks to the program’s activities and my Mentor’s sage advice, I gained the knowledge and confidence that I needed to forge my own path and propel my career to its next step. Without the Mentor-Protege program, I would not be as happy and professionally fulfilled in my proposal manager role as I am now; I don’t know about you, but I would call that a success!

Quote from Neal L., Mentor

Being a Mentor in this program has been incredibly rewarding. Not only do you get to pay it forward, but you also learn and grow alongside your Protege. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to make a difference in the BD community.

Sign up before October 6th and attend the Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) to enjoy exclusive perks, including a Mentor-Protégé Program Participant Badge Ribbon and a reserved seat at lunch with 2024 participants.

The APMP NCA Mentor-Protégé Program is more than just a mentorship initiative—it’s a pathway to success. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this program offers an unparalleled opportunity to grow, learn, and connect with the proposal management community. Join us and be part of this transformative experience!

Mentor - Home

Mentor — Protégé Program

2026 Mentor Protégé Program is Accepting Applications

The NCA Mentor-Protégé Program is a 12-month professional development experience designed to foster growth, leadership, and meaningful connections across the industry. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, expand your professional network, gain valuable insights from experienced mentors, or provide your protege useful advice and life lessons the mentor protege program is for you. The NCA Mentor-Protégé Program offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and development. Don’t miss out on the chance to benefit from personalized guidance and build lasting connections in our community.

Program Structure

One-on-One Mentorship

  • Each protégé is paired with a mentor.
  • At least one meeting per month is required; two is most common
  • Many pairs choose to meet more often depending on their goals and availability.
  • Pairs also tend to vary in how much they meet on a month-by-month basis based on need, availability, and other factors.
  • During the first month, pairs will set individualized goals to guide the year.

Monthly Group Sessions

  • All participants gather once a month for a full-group session.
  • Sessions feature guest speakers on professional development topics, including leadership, communication, industry trends, and skill building.
  • These meetings are also a chance to connect with the full program community.

Networking & Community

  • Occasional virtual and in-person happy hours provide additional opportunities for informal networking and connection.

Who Can Join?

  • Protégés: Anyone who feels they have something to learn.
  • Mentors: Professionals with several years of experience who are eager to share knowledge.

Matching Process

  • Pairings are made with care, considering skills, experience, preferences, and availability.
  • Our approach has resulted in a 95% success rate in match compatibility.

Benefits & Outcomes

Participants can expect to gain:

  • An expanded professional network
  • Career development opportunities
  • Leadership growth and confidence
  • Industry knowledge and insights
  • Up to 12 CEUs

Program Support

  • The Program Chair provides ongoing support, resources, and guidance throughout the year.
  • Participants are encouraged to schedule check-ins at any time.
  • Mid-year one-on-one check-ins with the Program Chair are held in June and July and are required to ensure progress and success.

Time Commitment

  • On average, participants devote 3–5 hours per month, depending on one-on-one meeting frequency and group session participation.

Exclusive Perks for Early Registrants

Sign up before October 10th and attend the Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) to enjoy exclusive perks, including a Mentor-Protégé Program Participant Badge Ribbon and a reserved seat at lunch with 2025 participants.

The APMP NCA Mentor-Protégé Program is more than just a mentorship initiative—it’s a pathway to success. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this program offers an unparalleled opportunity to grow, learn, and connect with the proposal management community. Join us and be part of this transformative experience!

Mentor-Protégé Program – Sign Up Today

Sign Up Before October 6 to Receive Early Bird Perks

Perks

📢 Information Session
Want more information? Sign up for the upcoming information session. Date TBD:
http://Mentor Protege Information Session Sign Up

💡 Can’t attend the scheduled session?
No problem! Reach out to Sara Levene at Sara@apmpnca.org to arrange a one-on-one session that fits your schedule.

 

Feedback

Psalms M, Protege 2024

Participating in the APMP NCA Mentor-Protégé Program has been incredibly valuable. My mentor has supported me with challenging tasks, taught me useful skills, and offered an outside perspective that’s helped me adapt during the proposal process. Despite a 12-hour time difference, we meet regularly, and I highly recommend this program for professional growth.

Cheryl H., Mentor 2024

Participating in the APMP NCA Mentor-Protégé Program has been incredibly rewarding. This year, my protégé has grown in confidence, networking skills, and Capture planning, and we plan to keep meeting after the program ends. Each mentoring experience has been fulfilling, and I’ve built lasting friendships with past protégés. I highly encourage others to join. – Cheryl H., 2024 participant

Katie P., Protege 2024

As a newcomer to Proposal Management, I joined the APMP Mentor-Protégé program to build a solid foundation and learn from experienced professionals. With my mentor’s guidance, I enhanced my skills, overcame challenges, and embraced work-life balance. This experience has fueled my growth and provided lasting connections and insights to support my career for years to come.

Hy Alvaran, Protege 2019

I joined the Mentor-Protégé Program at the perfect moment. Before learning about proposal development, I struggled to answer what I wanted to do professionally. Now, I can talk about proposal development with my mentor for hours. His advice helped me earn my Foundations Certification, secure my first official proposal development job, and become a stronger team contributor.

Hy Alvaran, Protege 2019

I joined the Mentor-Protégé Program at the perfect time. Before discovering proposal development, I struggled to explain my career goals. Now, I can discuss proposal development for hours with my mentor. Thanks to his guidance, I earned my Foundations Certification, landed my first official proposal development job, and became a stronger team contributor.

Evan Fitts, Protege 2019

I joined the Mentor-Protégé Program early in my proposal career, unsure of my long-term path. Thanks to the program and my mentor’s wise guidance, I gained the confidence and knowledge to shape my career and advance. Without this program, I wouldn’t be as happy or fulfilled in my proposal manager role as I am today — and to me, that’s a true success!

Neal L., Mentor

Being a Mentor in this program has been incredibly rewarding. Not only do you get to pay it forward, but you also learn and grow alongside your Protege. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to make a difference in the BD community.

Jennifer C., Mentor

Participating in the APMP NCA Mentor-Protégé Program has been a rewarding experience. When I signed up, I hoped to use my 20+ years of proposal experience to help someone newer to the profession avoid some of the trial-and-error lessons I learned along the way. What I didn’t anticipate was how much I would also learn from my protégé. It was a true partnership, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to grow together