Crown Affair’s Mentorship Program

Introducing Seedling

Crown Affair is on a mission to empower women, from the bathroom to the boardroom. 

Seedling is our mentorship program designed for women early in their careers or navigating a transition, connecting them with mentors who offer the guidance needed for growth.

Mentorship is a time honored tradition, and through this program, we aim to build confidence, foster community, and create opportunities for growth that extend well beyond the present.

applications opening September 2025

How It Started 

Seedling was born in 2020, just after Crown Affair launched and as the global pandemic upended career opportunities for many young women. As internships, graduations, and jobs opportunities became uncertain, Dianna and Elaine began receiving messages from eager early-career women looking for a way in.

While they couldn’t hire everyone, they could connect them with the female executives in their network. What started as a way to foster connection when professional development felt out of reach has since grown into an annual mentorship program—designed to nurture both early-career women and their more seasoned counterparts.

How It Works

Each fall, Seedling unfolds over six weeks, blending two group calls with six 1:1, prompt-guided sessions. Applications are carefully reviewed by the Crown Affair team, with mentor-mentee pairings thoughtfully curated to foster the most meaningful connections. Mentees eager to explore specific industries are matched with mentors whose expertise offers invaluable insight.

Be a mentor

  1. Commit to one hour weekly, for six weeks. 

Refer a mentor

  1. We’d love to expand our network. Referral perks are coming soon. 

Who can be a mentor?

  1. Any woman with 2+ years working experience—mentors will be matched with age and experience-appropriate mentees. 

Be a mentee

Commit to one hour weekly, for six weeks.

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Seedling has been one of the best unexpected delights I've taken on outside of work these last few years—I never miss a season, and I've met (and hired!) so many amazing folks who are starting their careers through the community, whether as my mentees or through the awesome closed LinkedIn group we're all in. It's truly a very special cohort of people, and I look forward to signing up again.”

— Azora Zoe Paknad, Five-time Seedling Mentor

“Participating in Seedling was an incredibly rewarding experience that provided a unique opportunity for personal growth and professional development. The ideal candidate for the program is someone who is driven, curious, and committed to making a positive impact—eager to connect with mentors and mentees who are passionate about their industries and dedicated to sharing their knowledge in support of the next generation of emerging talent and leaders. I most enjoyed the creative programming and networking opportunities that Crown Affair facilitated, which allowed for meaningful connections and valuable self-reflection.”

— Arielle Tylim, Seedling Season 6 Mentee