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.

Our Mission

GMI bridges the gap between graduation and first career jobs for underrepresented young professionals from diverse communities.