Two Ten Footwear Foundation Launched Mentorship Program

Industry professionals can apply for a three-month mentorship initiative through December 2026.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Fashion

Two Ten Footwear Foundation Launched Mentorship Program

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Would you participate in a mentorship program to advance your professional career?

The Two Ten Footwear Foundation has opened registration for a new mentorship program aimed at fostering the next generation of industry leaders. The initiative, developed with the career coaching company CoLabL, is open to all footwear industry professionals.

Why it matters

This program serves to bridge the experience gap by pairing emerging professionals with seasoned industry leaders to build vital professional relationships. It replaces the previous Women in the Footwear Industry mentorship program, which concluded in 2020.

The mentorship initiative runs for a three-month duration. It follows a fundraising event in June 2026 that generated nearly $650,000 for the foundation.

The players

Two Ten Footwear Foundation

This is a charitable organization dedicated to providing financial assistance and support services to employees within the footwear industry.

CoLabL

This is a professional career coaching company that partnered with the foundation to develop the new mentorship curriculum.

Tacey Powers

She was honored with the 2026 WIFI Impact Award during the foundation's annual gala.

Mark Lardie

He was presented with the A.A. Bloom Memorial Award in recognition of his service.

The details

Participants will be matched with industry leaders to focus on relationship building and professional development through structured touchpoints. The program is set to operate from February 2027 through April 2027.

The previous mentorship program ended in 2020.
The annual gala took place in June 2026.
The application window for the program closes on Dec. 23, 2026.
The new mentorship program begins in February 2027.
The mentorship program concludes in April 2027.

Culture Shift

This program revives formal mentorship efforts within the footwear sector after a multi-year hiatus following the conclusion of the Women in the Footwear Industry program. It reflects a broader industry movement toward structured career development and talent retention.

Industry professionals across the country can now submit applications to serve as either mentors or mentees before the end of the year. Interested individuals should prepare for a three-month commitment starting in early 2027 to participate in the scheduled touchpoints.

The takeaway

Interested professionals should finalize their applications before the December deadline to ensure consideration for the inaugural 2027 cohort. Networking early with industry peers can provide a competitive edge in securing placement within the new mentorship structure.