Leaders of Tomorrow

Launched in 1999, LOT is recognized as the premier mentorship program in British Columbia. Candidates go through a competitive and rigorous selection process to experience a year of accelerated professional and personal growth with a focus on the following areas:

Mentorship

Receive guidance and cultivate a one-on-one relationship with a professional in your area of career interest

Leadership

Gain access to exclusive events, workshops, and opportunities to learn directly from industry leaders while developing your personal leadership style

Networking

Connect with like-minded individuals from colleges and universities across Greater Vancouver and gain access to over 100 Greater Vancouver Board of Trade networking receptions and events

Volunteerism

Be an agent for change in your community while developing skills that will equip you for your career

Students

Joining the Leaders of Tomorrow

The LOT mentorship program provides students with opportunities to network with experienced professionals, volunteer, build leadership skills, participate in exclusive events, and develop connections in Greater Vancouver's business community.

As a Member of LOT, you will be matched with an experienced business leader who will be your mentor for the duration of the year. The LOT program runs from September to August each year, with applications accepted until the end of April for the coming year.

It's free to apply and interview for the LOT program. Those accepted into the program have the chance to join the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade for one year at a special subsidized student rate of just $379 plus GST.

The LOT program is valued at nearly $1,000 and gives students access to the following benefits and opportunities:

An established mentor in the local business community who will work with you to set goals, answer questions, and help you prepare to enter the workforce
Membership in the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade ($729 value)
More than $250 in complimentary tickets to Greater Vancouver Board of Trade events
Access to over 15 free Greater Vancouver Board of Trade events, including some that are specifically tailored to LOT students
Personalized business cards and a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade nametag
A professional headshot taken at the first LOT event ($100 value)

To be eligible, you must:

Be entering the final year of your post-secondary or graduate education, or have just graduated from one of the Lower Mainland's accredited institutions
Reside in the Greater Vancouver region for the duration of the program
Be able to meet the graduation requirements of the program, which include meeting with your mentor a minimum of five times, attending five events, and participating in the volunteer committee activities you are selected for
Have aspirations for, or experience in, leadership roles

Applications are now closed and will reopen in spring 2025

Immediate questions can be directed to lot@boardoftrade.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS +

Who should apply to the Leaders of Tomorrow Mentorship Program?

Students who are entering their last year of post-secondary education, regardless of whether the program is two years, four years, or longer. Or those who have just graduated.

I will not be in Vancouver for the duration of LOT, can I still participate in the program?

As the program requires you to attend events, arrange meetings with your mentor, as well as participate in a volunteer committee, the program will be most beneficial if you reside in town.

How do you match the mentors with the mentees?

Accepted students are asked to fill in a student profile. We take into consideration several criteria: field of study, hobbies, interests, and location.

What is the time of commitment?

It depends. The time commitment for the LOT program is approximately five to eight hours per month. This includes meeting with your mentor, attending events, and participating in a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade volunteer committee.

What are the requirements to graduate from the LOT program?

You are required to attend both the LOT Orientation and Graduation evenings, as well as a minimum of three additional Board of Trade events. It is also required for you to meet with your mentor at least five times over the course of the year and track your progress in your log book. Lastly, you must attend volunteer committee meetings and respect the Code of Ethics and Conduct and Harassment Policy.

Why should I join LOT?

LOT offers a unique opportunity to be paired with an established professional in your area of interest, providing invaluable mentorship and insights throughout the program year. It also provides numerous opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and other professionals in the Greater Vancouver region. Through a mix of networking events, workshops, and volunteering initiatives, LOT participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the business landscape while building lasting relationships, and fostering a sense of social responsibility and leadership.

Accepted students also gain access to over 15 free Greater Vancouver Board of Trade events, as well as over $250 in complimentary tickets to more events. Additionally, they receive personalized business cards, a nametag and a professional headshot to start their professional brand in-person and online.

APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW FAQ +

What is the timeline of the application process?

Applications for the upcoming program year (which runs from September to August), open in January and are due on April 30 of each year. Applicants who have met the graduation eligibility are invited to attend the Virtual Interview Night in June. Successful candidates are notified of their acceptance into the program in July.

What is the format of the Virtual Interview Night?

Six to eight candidates are assigned to a breakout room with one interviewer and asked questions based on the four pillars of LOT: mentorship, leadership, networking, and volunteerism.

What if I can't make it to the Virtual Interview Night?

The Virtual Interview Night is a mandatory step in the selection process. If you're unable to attend any of the scheduled sessions, please email lot@boardoftrade.com .

Mentors

Why you should consider being an LOT mentor

The primary goal of the Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) mentorship program® is for students to learn how to effectively build relationships with business professionals in a practical, enjoyable and informative way. As a mentor, you will be matched up with a mentee (student) for a one-year duration.

As a mentor in the LOT program, you have the opportunity to make a lasting and significant impact on a person's life by sharing your knowledge and experience with an emerging leader. These are ambitious students who could help you gain insight on the impact of your business on their demographic. Furthermore, you can meet with proactive mentors from other organizations and expand your network while gaining insights from a different perspective.

More than half of our mentors return each year because they greatly enjoy participating in the program. LOT mentors develop their leadership skills, contribute to student success, share their experiences, and have an opportunity to reflect on their own career.

Here is what we ask of our mentors in the Leaders of Tomorrow program:

Meet regularly with your mentee (at least 5 times) between September and August
Share your experiences, successes, and career challenges
Help your mentee develop and accomplish their goals for the year
Try to attend the Graduation evening in September

To be eligible, you must:

Be a cardholding Member of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
Reside in the Greater Vancouver region during the course of the program
Have a minimum of five years of work experience and be in a management or executive position

Applications are now closed and will reopen in spring 2025

Immediate questions can be directed to lot@boardoftrade.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS +

What are the eligibility requirements to be a LOT mentor?

We ask that all mentors have a minimum of five years of work experience since completing post-secondary, hold a manager position and above, and are Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Members.

What is the time commitment?

Each mentor is asked to meet with their student on a monthly basis and attend Graduation event in early September. The students are required to meet with their mentor at least 5 times to complete the LOT program. Phone calls, video chats and attending events together can also count as a meeting.

Who are the students that apply for the Leaders of Tomorrow program?

The students are from the top post-secondary institutions around the Lower Mainland and are entering their final year of post-secondary education.

How do you match the mentors with the mentees?

We take into consideration several criteria: field of study, hobbies, interests, and location.

What are the benefits of being a LOT mentor?

It may sound cliché, but you get to give back and potentially transform a student's life! You will get to share your wealth of experience and be a sounding board and cheerleader for an emerging leader. You will also be able to network with fellow mentors and other mentees who were all selected from a rigorous interview process.