LEAD Awards 2018: Interview with Ceretha León, St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners

Building a Cadre of Diverse Future Leaders

  Category: Best Mentoring Program
  LEAD AWARD RANK: 16
 
  Company: St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners
  Program: SPARK Mentoring
  Program Director: Shanelle Benjamin, Human Resources Generalist
  Visit: www.stlucieco.gov
 
   
Our editorial team interviewed Ceretha León, Human Resources Director from St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners at the LEAD2018 Awards this past February. Here are some excerpts from the exclusive interview.
 
What is the overall objective of your program?
The mission of St. Lucie County’s SPARK Mentoring program is to enhance and promote a learning culture through the development and empowerment of our emerging leaders, equipping them with necessary institutional and leadership knowledge to excel in becoming the future of our organization. Our vision is to build a cadre of diverse future leaders to establish a talented pipeline for future succession. SPARK Mentoring establishes a collaborative, learning partnership for mentees and mentor.
 

Who do you impact with your program?
St. Lucie County- Board of County Commissioner emerging employees under the Assistant Manager level.
 
What are the lessons you’ve learned this year from facilitating your program?
As this is the first year of SPARK Mentoring, becoming more familiar with understanding the dynamics of the established mentoring relationships and examining the need of each mentee was imperative to the success of the program. We have learned that follow-up and check-ins are key to ensuring that the program participants are continuing to drive the relationship and are getting the most out of their mentorship. 

Mentorship is a two-way street and learning opportunity for both, as both participants stand to gain increased knowledge from each other and exposure during the mentoring relationship.     
 
How do you measure the return on investment and success of the program?
Program effectiveness and ROI are measured through the Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) model. Each monthly session is surveyed to ensure objectives are met, in addition to quarterly check-ins with mentors to ensure the effectiveness of the mentoring relationship and the continued progress of the mentee’s learning journey. Mentees gain enhanced credentials as a result of their participation in the mentoring program; therefore, their professional advancement within the County is monitored as an additional success measure.    
 
What lies ahead for the program and how will it continue to succeed?
The continued success of this program is critical to the development of our emerging leaders. Each year, the program objectives and outcomes will be revisited and enhanced based on prior year feedback results. Due to the great success of the first year of SPARK Mentoring, we have increased the number of program participants to 16 Mentees and Mentors. The upcoming program will be enhanced with updated stimulating session topics key to the mentee’s development with a new roster of dynamic speakers. In addition, participants will have more opportunities to explore and learn more about St. Lucie County facilities and operations, as we rotate each monthly development session at various venues throughout the County.    
 
We are diverse and innovative in our approach in talent development as we research and employ best practices in workplace mentoring programs. St. Lucie County strives to ensure that employees receive ongoing developmental opportunities to further their skillsets and growth within the organization. The SPARK Mentoring program strategically aligns with the County’s mission and vision and will be modified, as needed. St. Lucie County will continue to leverage its internal and external resources to provide an outstanding mentorship opportunity. 

Each year, financial resources and budgeting are evaluated to determine the structure of the program. Human Resources continuously enhances the program based on survey feedback and focus group sessions to ensure that we build upon and continue to offer the best possible mentorship opportunity. 
 

 

---