Life-changing mentorship can often start with a simple coffee and a conversation. For Mentoro, that principle has grown into a movement spanning cities and industries, and now it’s offering a new opportunity for Miami’s tech community.
Mentoro, a nonprofit mentorship program founded a decade ago in Montreal by Sandra Abi-Rashed and Melanie Frappa, is dedicated to “changing the world, one coffee at a time.” The organization connects senior executives with early- and mid-career professionals through curated cohorts that include informal conversations and hands-on workshops. Over the years, it has expanded to New York and Miami, building a network of more than 1,500 mentors and mentees.
Since arriving in Miami in 2020, Mentoro has launched themed mentorship programs. Its first one was focused on luxury and then a second one called “The Future of Retail” followed in 2024. Mentoro is gearing up to launch its third Miami-based cohort this fall, and it is dedicated to Data, AI & Tech.
“Mentoro is about the power of coffee-conversations, that one conversation that could be life-changing, that could give a young professional new perspective on their career. Our mission is to foster lasting connections through coffee-conversations that help mentees accelerate their careers and inspire mentors to continue giving back, creating a ripple effect of leadership, learning, and legacy,” says Abi-Rashed, who lives in South Florida and has over 20 years of experience in corporate marketing roles and nonprofit work.
How the program works
Mentoro’s cohorts run on a six-month cycle. Mentors and mentees commit to meeting for at least three one-on-one “coffee conversations” during that time. In addition, mentees are invited to exclusive in-person workshops designed to deepen their professional toolkit. Past sessions have included topics such as self-advocacy, applying decision science, and leveraging LinkedIn for career growth.
Each cohort is built around a theme. For Miami’s upcoming Data, AI & Tech Cohort, Mentoro has assembled a roster of mentors with deep expertise in areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, software engineering, product development, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital transformation, and tech strategy. Mentees accepted into the program will gain access not only to these mentors but also to a supportive community of peers navigating similar career paths, Abi-Rashed says.
Since launching in Miami, Mentoro has built a local network of about 300 participants, including mentors, mentees, and workshop attendees.
“I’ve seen firsthand the concrete impact this program has had on both mentors and mentees. The challenge, however, has always been visibility and mentee recruitment, making sure the right people hear about the opportunity,” says Abi-Rashed. That would be Miami area professionals who are ready to learn, grow, and invest in meaningful career conversations.
How to apply
Mentoro is currently recruiting mentees with about 7–12 years of professional experience who are working in data, AI, and technology or who are eager to expand their knowledge in these fast-evolving fields. You can apply with less than 7 years – it’s about the strength of the application, says Abi-Rashed. The application deadline is Aug. 31, 2025.
Interested professionals can apply directly at www.mentoro.co by Aug. 31. A roster of mentors for the Miami Data, AI & Tech cohort can be found here. Questions can be directed to info@mentoro.co.
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