Key Takeaway: I am all Ears! Ready to Listen & Learn: Hear what FIRST has planned for a new initiative focused on developing and supporting mentors and give us your thoughts!

Presenter: Ashley Johnson, Field and Volunteer Support Senior Manager at FIRST

In 2023, FIRST finalized a new strategic plan that focuses on four key strategies to promote the growth and expansion of the organization. Recruiting and retaining mentors were identified as key barriers to growth. Join this session to hear a high-level overview of a new mentor-focused effort – the Mentor Development Initiative (MDI) – a multi-year, multi-phase project intended to create new systems, resources, training, value, and development for current and prospective FIRST mentors.

About the Presenter:

Ashley Johnson is an experienced leader and non-profit manager with over 13 years of experience in the FIRST Volunteer Resources Department. With an unwavering commitment to empowering and supporting volunteers, Ashley is currently the Director of Volunteer Resources at FIRST. Ashley is leading the new Mentor Development Initiative. Over the past decade with FIRST HQ, she led the FIRST Senior Mentor Program, the VISTA Program, and the more recent AmeriCorps Program, as well as other key volunteer initiatives.