About Us
Our Story
The Global Mentorship Initiative (GMI) originated from the Rockefeller Foundation’s Digital Jobs Initiative, aiming to create career opportunities for young people worldwide. In many of these regions, youth unemployment for recent graduates surpasses 50%. GMI’s founder, Jon Browning, was involved in the Rockefeller Initiative for four years after leaving Microsoft.
The idea for GMI formed during Jon’s work with recruiters in Johannesburg, who noted that deserving opportunities often eluded those who needed them the most: first-generation university graduates in high-unemployment areas. These jobs tended to favor graduates with established support networks and access to mentors and business connections.
Addressing this opportunity gap became GMI’s mission.
GMI founder Jon Browning with first GMI student cohort
– South Africa, 2019
Our Mission
GMI bridges the gap between graduation and first career jobs for underrepresented young professionals from diverse communities.
Our Vision
Our Team
Board of Directors
Jon Browning
CEO
GMI
GMI Board Chair
Justin Thenutai
Chief People Officer
Github
GMI Board
Mamadou Biteye
Executive Secretary
ACBF
GMI Board
Tom McGuire
VP Digital & Analytics
Genpact
GMI Board
Jan Clausen
Technologist
Zillow
GMI Board
GMI Staff
Chad Fuller
Chief Operating Officer
Ravenna Hennane
Director of Development
Kristen Sahl
Director of Operations
Amanda Laberdee Program Administrator
Jennifer Uretsky
Program Administrator
Max Springer
Strategic Partnerships Manager
Maddelena Caravello
Director of Youth Partnerships
Mélanie Mongelli Program Administrator
Leadership Council
Michelle Bozeman
Career Dev. Senior Leader
Amazon
Marilyn Johnson
Global Sustainability
Leader
Debi Hamill
CEO, IAOP Publisher
Pulse Magazine
Karyn Scott
Chief Marketing Officer
Kloudspot
Subhojit Roye
Principal
e2open
Solange Bucquet
Group Strategic Partner Manager
Orange
Neil Hirshman
Of Counsel
Kirkland & Ellis
Ali Spain
Former Executive Director
Microsoft Alumni Network
Lawan Idriss
Founder & CEO
Clurebyte
Alnarjes Harba
Rhodes Finalist
Winnie Roberts
VP Sales & Compensation
McKesson