Connect with a Wavemakers Mentor

Connecting with a mentor is a chance to have a real conversation with someone who has experience you can learn from. You don’t need to have everything figured out or come prepared with a long list of questions. Start with a simple message and see where the conversation goes.

Start with a LinkedIn message

Your first step is to reach out to your mentor on LinkedIn. Introduce yourself, mention that you’re a Wavemakers student, and share why you wanted to connect with them.

You can ask a question or ask if they’d be open to connecting. From there, ask your mentor how they’d prefer to connect. They may want to continue chatting on LinkedIn or set up a quick call.

You can also start slowly. If you’re more comfortable with email or messaging back and forth before having a call, that’s completely fine. 

A few tips when reaching out

  • Make it personal: Mention Wavemakers and why you wanted to connect with this particular mentor.

  • Keep it simple: A few genuine sentences are all you need.

  • Be curious: Ask about their experience, career path, or lessons they’ve learned.

  • Respect their time: If you ask for a call, suggest a short conversation and work around their availability.

Not sure what to ask? Once you’re chatting, here are a few questions to get the conversation started:

  • What do you wish you knew when you were starting your career?

  • What skill do you use most that you didn’t learn in school?

  • What advice would you give someone building their network?

  • What would you focus on if you were in my position?

  • What’s something you’ve learned through experience that you couldn’t learn in a classroom?

  • How did you get started in your field?

  • What has surprised you most about your career?

  • Is there anything you’d recommend I learn more about at this stage?

Check out the mentors below and find someone whose experience interests you.

Mentors Available to Connect

Andres Villalobos

Curious what a career in finance really looks like? Connect with Andres. He is a Certified Public Accountant with international experience in audit, financial reporting, compliance, and taxation. He brings a global perspective and practical industry experience that can help students better understand the many paths a career in accounting and finance can take.

Asmita Bashyal

From IT to agriculture, insurance, health, and NOW data science, Asmita has built a career around learning and taking on new challenges. She brings 11+ years of experience in business analysis and technology along with a passion for solving real problems.

Illyana Hengue

Wondering where technology, research, and curiosity can take you? Illyana is a Ph.D. student in Organizational Information Systems at Université Laval with a passion for technology and lifelong learning. She brings a fresh perspective on the intersection of people, organizations, and technology and would love to share what she’s learning along the way.

Jerold Cudjoe

Thinking about a career in accounting or finance? Jerold can give you an inside look at what it’s like to work in audit and build a career in the field. He’s an Audit Manager at Deloitte Kitchener and a Laurier graduate in Economics and Accounting. Connect with Jerold to hear about his career journey and learn from his experience in the industry.

Julie Dupont

Want to become a stronger leader or feel more confident navigating the workplace? Julie has spent 20+ years helping leaders and teams build trust and  reach their potential. She has worked with more than 2,500 business leaders across a range of industries and brings a warm, engaging approach to every conversation. Julie believes in the power of authentic connections and is passionate about helping people grow both personally and professionally.

Mel Arbib

Starting your career and wondering how to build confidence in the workplace? Mel brings extensive experience supporting senior leaders and navigating fast-paced organizations, along with an MBA and ongoing CPHR studies. She’s passionate about helping emerging professionals develop practical skills and feel more confident as they grow their careers.

Shaun Amyotte

Curious about customer experience or figuring out how to grow your career? Shaun is someone you’ll want to connect with. He brings years of experience helping teams solve problems and put people at the centre of their work. Outside of his career, Shaun has practiced karate for more than 15 years, which has shaped his approach to discipline, resilience, and continuous growth.

Vic Caruso

Interested in business development, sales, partnerships, or entrepreneurship? Vic is your guy! With 35+ years of experience across corporate and startup environments, he brings a wealth of knowledge on building relationships, leading teams, and growing businesses. He’s a collaborative and approachable mentor who values open communication, trust, and sharing what he’s learned along the way.