1. A high-class mentoring program for female start-up entrepreneurs
Rhea Challenge
A high-class mentoring program
for female start-up entrepreneurs

2. Rhea Challenge
Are you in need of support and inspiration for yourself and your company? Do you wish to develop further and form networks with experienced female leaders and other start-up entrepreneurs?
The Rhea Challenge is a mentoring program for female start-up entrepreneurs created by GAIA Network and EY in cooperation
The purpose of the program is to help women’s companies succeed and to enable their interaction with experienced female directors

3. The mentoring program
At the beginning of the program the mentor and the mentee create their own rules as well as an individual program plan including checkpoints and targets
Commitment to the program is the basis of the mentoring
During the program the pairs agree to meet regularly to discuss the themes listed in their individual program plan
At the end of the 12-month program the results and achievements are presented

4. Schedule
The Rhea Challenge starts in March 2015 and lasts for 12 months
The application period in November-December 2014
The program is free of charge
The mentor – mentee pairs are named and information about events is given out in January 2015

5. Mentors
Experienced female directors, chosen among GAIA members, act as mentors
Each participant gets a personal mentor who advices her, and supports and acts as a sparring partner to her during one-to-one discussions
The mentoring relationship is based on openness and mutual trust as well as on sharing experiences, views and know-how

6. Events
EY experts representing various business areas will share insights and current topics at three common events
During these events the participants have the opportunity to form networks with others participating in the program
Kick-off in April 2015
Status meeting in October 2015
Program closure in April 2016

7. GAIA Network Association
Gaia Network Association is a cooperation network for women in leading positions
The purpose of the Association is to support and enable interaction between its members and to create networks, develop professional skills, improve professional conditions and further equality in leading business positions
At present Gaia has 250 members and is present in the capital region and Turku area

8. EY as the mentoring program partner
About EY EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

9. Rhea – about the name Greek mythology:
Rhea is the Titaness daughter of earth goddess Gaia and the sky god Uranus and sister and wife to Cronus
She is known as ”the Mother of Gods”
Classical Greeks saw her as the mother of Olympian goddesses and gods
Cronus and Rhea had six children, one of them Zeus

10. Additional information provided by:
Eeva-Liisa Heinaro
Chairperson of the Board, GAIA Network Association ry  
Johanna Winqvist-Ilkka
Partner, EY

11. Thank you.