Become a Mentee

The Capital Heritage Mentorship Program will connect experienced senior managers in the broader culture sector and the heritage sector, with new graduates wishing to embark on a career in heritage, and emerging professionals who wish to move their career to the next level.

The initiative will invite 4 developing professionals to participate in small groups in a strategic program to help transition and plan for the coming years. As a Mentee, you will receive valuable feedback, guidance and access to networking opportunities, leading to more confidence and an expanded career network.

The focus will be on

• Career development:  creating and setting personal career goals with next steps;
• Networking:  how to effectively create and build on professional connections; and
• Leadership:  developing the required skills and knowledge to become a leader in Ottawa’s heritage sector

The program will kick off with a meet and greet session where you will meet your Mentor and fellow Mentees.  Throughout the 5 months of the program, you will be encouraged to be proactive in your mentoring relationship – sharing experiences and gaining insights into working within the heritage sector.

Groups will be sent a bi-monthly email with a list of opportunities including networking and employment opportunities; events and activities; and articles of interest.  We will reach out regularly to touch base on your progress.

The final wrap-up session will bring people back together to discuss lessons learned and strategies that Mentees should use to work most effectively in the culture and heritage sectors.  A forum engaging future program participants is also planned.

• You will have the opportunity to work with a Mentor and receive guidance, support and leadership as you develop your career in heritage and/or the broader cultural sector.
• Together, you will create a plan of action and determine how frequently you would like to connect with one another.  In addition, there may be monthly program/larger group meetings and mini workshops that will focus on career development and networking.
• Each Mentee will be  allocated money for eligible program expenses (printing fees, travel to sites, conference or networking event fees, parking at related sites, and materials), which is contingent upon completion of the program.
• Minimum time commitment:  2.5 hours per month

Applicants must:

• Be within the first 10 years of their professional career
• Have completed their education or will graduate from a post-secondary institution*
• Be a CHC Member in good standing (you can apply or renew your membership here)

*Alternatively, if you do not have a degree and are not in the process of pursuing one, Capital Heritage Connexion is open to discussing how you have gained the equivalent skills outside of the formal education environment to be successful in this mentorship program. 

Applicants are ineligible if they:

• Are considered a mid-career or an established professional (10+ years of professional career)

Note:  Priority will be given to students who have not previously participated in a summer or fall work experience program.

July- September:  Application & Selection Process

Mid October: Capital Heritage Mentorship Program Kickoff Meeting. Mentor-Mentee meet & greet.

22-24 October: National Trust Conference

October- February:  Monthly check-ins with progress reports; Scheduled program meetings and mini workshops

Mid March:  Capital Heritage Mentorship Program Forum. The final wrap-up session will bring everyone back together so Mentees and Mentors can share their successes.  The focus will be on findings – lessons learned and strategies for Mentees to get started in the culture and heritage sectors.

Jennifer Ford

Creative Development Specialist

Canadian Museum of History and Canadian War Museum

Jennifer is an interpretive planner at two of Canada’s national museums, where she develops creative exhibitions that tell great stories. With over a decade working in heritage interpretation, Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge about how museums engage diverse audiences, and the skills needed to help create these experiences. In addition to exhibitions, her work has included projects with immersive projection, virtual reality, video productions, digital interactives, and public programming.

Originally from Winnipeg, she holds a Bachelor of Journalism and History from Carleton University (2012) and a Master of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto (2016). Before her current role, she worked in interpretive planning and management at the Library of Parliament, the Royal Ontario Museum, and Parks Canada. Jennifer sees museums as places of connection and provocation, where creative interpretation is key to initiating meaningful dialogue with audiences.

Michael Rikley-Lancaster (He/Him)

Executive Director/ Curator

Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

Born and raised in Chatham, Ontario, Michael has been the Executive Director/Curator (ED/C) of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum (MVTM) since July 1, 2007. He studied for a diploma in Fine Arts at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, before receiving a diploma in Applied Museum Studies from Algonquin College, Ottawa. He was employed as Assistant Curator at the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, and then as Program Coordinator for Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations with the Canadian Museums Association.

Serving as ED/C, Michael has been pivotal in making the building fully accessible, acquiring a heating and cooling system, and increasing the Museum’s partnerships within Mississippi Mills and the surrounding areas. He has overseen the creation of two permanent exhibits at the Museum about industrial wool processing, an oral history project preserving the experiences of local mill workers, the Millworkers’ Staircase and Riverwalk, and countless temporary exhibits that work to provide forums for contemporary issues.

Paving the way for safe museum spaces, Michael has empowered the MVTM to become Canada’s first Rainbow Registered museum, and strives to create a more diverse and inclusive heritage sector. With this goal in mind, Michael is involved in several local Town committees and the Ontario Museum Association’s Executive Council.