Empowering Careers, Building Leaders
Learn from experience | Lead with purpose | Connect across finance
Applications for LaunchMe27 open
8 September 2026
Application Open
8 September 2026
Applications Close
30 October 2026
Program Starts
January 2027
Program Ends
June 2027
About LaunchMe
The program helps mentees explore career possibilities, build essential career skills, develop business acumen and enhance their professional network. Mentors enhance leadership skills and help cultivate the next generation of finance professionals.
The six-month program runs every year from January to June. Applications open each September for the coming year.
LaunchMe is a mentorship program focused on personal and professional development. It is not a recruitment or job-placement service.
Applications for LaunchMe27 open September 8
8 Sep 2026
Applications Open
30 Oct 2026
Applications Close
Program Runs
LaunchMe runs on the Qooper software platform. When applications open, you can create an account using your 100WF email address and complete the application. If you’re not yet a 100WF member, sign up here first.
Who is LaunchMe for
Mentees
Eligibility
- 100WF member (free one-year membership for students) — member sign-up
- Undergraduate or postgraduate students
- Early-career professionals (0–5 years’ experience)
What we’re looking for
- Demonstrated interest in finance
- A growth mindset
Benefits
- Personalized 1:1 mentoring with a finance professional
- Professional Development: communication style, personal brand, networking, business acumen
- Market insight and a lens into a variety of careers in financial services
- A global peer community of students and early-career professionals
“This has given me clearer direction, greater confidence, and a more strategic approach to my long-term career development.”
Mentors
Eligibility
- 100WF member — member sign-up
- 3+ years of finance experience
- 5+ years to be matched with an early-career mentee
Benefits
- Strengthen leadership skills and emotional intelligence
- Contribute to shaping the next generation of finance talent
- Gain new perspectives from mentees and fellow mentors
- Expand your global professional network
“This was my first year in the LaunchMe Program, and while I expected to grow as a mentor, what surprised me most was how much I grew as a leader for my own firm and team. As much as my mentee may have gained, I feel I gained tenfold from the experience.”
Learn more from past mentors and mentees
Mentor + Mentee Features: Saoirse Culkeen and Janet Cunningham
In our Mentor and Mentee Features series, we highlight a mentor and mentee partnership from our LaunchMe program and learn why thy took part and what they gained from the process. This time we speak to Saoirse Culkeen (Mentee) and Janet Cunningham (Mentor) from our...
Looking Back at LaunchMe 2026
LaunchMe 2026 brought together mentors and mentees across 19 countries. Mentors came from diverse areas within finance including asset & wealth management, sales & trading, research, fintech, sustainable investing and private equity, with experience ranging from 3 years to 20+ years.
Program Impact
-
95% said the time they invested was significantly worthwhile
-
92% agreed the program contributed to their development
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89% found the mentor–mentee relationship significantly meaningful
-
100% of mentees felt more confident in their professional abilities
-
20% increase in mentees’ development of business acumen from the start of the program
In 2026, LaunchMe moved to Qooper — a streamlined mentoring software platform & mobile app for mentor matching, scheduling, program resources and communication.
1,241
Meetings
900+
Hours of 1:1 time
1,173
eLearning modules
223
Goals achieved
4,438
Messages exchanged
1,312
Event hours
Thank you to our LaunchMe Sponsors:
What the Six Months Look Like
Format: Monthly 1:1 mentoring sessions, plus a core curriculum guiding sessions through the six months.
January: Virtual LaunchMe kickoff call for all participants; mandatory mentee training and optional mentor training.
February – May: Speaker series, webinars and peer interaction.
June: Global closing call for all participants.
Also: In-person events in several locations.
Our 4 Key Focus Areas
Build Essential Career Skills
“The program has expanded my leadership toolkit and strengthened my ability to create tangible impact on others’ professional development.”
Develop Your Business Acumen
Enhance Your Professional Network
“Made several introductions on behalf of my mentee, which led her to final rounds of interviews at a hedge fund.”
Explore Career Opportunities and Advancement
Become a LaunchMe Sponsor
Benefits of Sponsoring
- Visibility & Brand Recognition
- Talent Pipeline Development
- Leadership & Employee Engagement
- Networking & Thought Leadership
- Long-Term Impact
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I participate again if I've taken part in LaunchMe before?
I've participated before. Do I need to apply again?
How do I submit my application on Qooper?
Follow the application link to Qooper then:
1️⃣ Click on Create an Account with 100 Women in Finance Credentials.
2️⃣ Login usng your 100 Women in Fiannce Username and Password
3️⃣ Click on Start to begin your application
I can't find my 100 Women in Finance email or SSO login details.
Please contact membership and our Membership team will be happy to help.
I've forgotten my 100 Women in Finance password.
Click “Forgot Password” on the login page to reset your password.
I'm having trouble logging in with Single Sign-On (SSO).
Please log out completely and try again using an incognito/private browser window and your 100 Women in Finance login details. If you’re still experiencing issues, contact us for assistance.
Can I apply as both a mentor and a mentee?
At LaunchMe, we recognise the value of being both a mentor and a mentee throughout your career. While we hope to support dual participation in future programmes, at this time we can only accept one application per participant. Please submit an application for the role, either mentor or mentee, for which you meet the eligibility requirements.
When will I know if my application has been accepted?
Successful applicants will be notified by the end of the year. While we aim to accept as many participants as possible, capacity and the ability to make a suitable mentoring match are taken into consideration.
I'm not eligible as a mentee, but I'm looking for a mentor. What are my options?
LaunchMe currently offers mentoring for students and early-career professionals. As a 100WF member, we encourage you to attend our events, connect with members through the Community Directory, and participate in our peer engagement programming. Our mentors also benefit from Peer Mentor Circles throughout the program.
Can I apply to be a mentor in LaunchMe if I've never mentored before?
Absolutely. Mentor training is available for all mentors, whether you’re new to the program or returning.
How can I prepare to be a successful mentee?
Come with a growth mindset. Think about what you want to achieve, set clear goals, be proactive in arranging meetings, and be respectful of your mentor’s time and commitments. We will also have mandatory mentee training sessions at the start of the program.
Can I participate if I don't live near one of the 33 official 100 Women in Finance locations?
Yes. LaunchMe is a global program delivered primarily online, so you can participate from anywhere in the world. While some participants may have the opportunity to attend local networking events, all core program content and mentoring take place virtually.
Who should I contact if I have a question that's not answered here?
Please contact the LaunchMe team, and we’ll be happy to help.
LaunchMe Committee Members
LaunchMe Professional Committee
Debbie Bigman
Program Director and Founder
AMER (NYC)
Eleri Rhidian
EMEA (London)
Carrie DiLauro
AMER (Connecticut)
Emily Alejos
AMER (NYC)
Elizabeth Doerr
AMER (NYC)
Abbe Serphos
AMER (NYC)
Sarah Gannon
EMEA (PARIS)
Kate Sullivan
EMEA (LONDON)
LaunchMe Mentee Committee
Anastasiia Klimova
AMER (NYC)
Victoria O’Tool
AMER (NYC)
Vedika Duboliya
AMER (Utah)
Chanel Van der Merwe
EMEA (London)
Kitty Shropshire
EMEA (London)
Hamna Farooq
APAC
Maria Nikitanova
AMER (NYC)
LaunchMe Cayman Islands Committee
Tanis McDonald
Edel Andersen
Kari Rankin
Danielle Hennings
Sally Peedom
Vanessa Williams
LaunchMe
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