Press Release: Launch of The 26262 Club  – Powerhouse Mentorship Program, Opening Leadership Paths to Upcoming Talent in Functional Safety

MUNICH, NOVEMBER 2022

Motivation

The Functional Safety field is rife with some of the brightest brains in the tech world. Men and women are part of exciting functional safety projects at present, and work shoulder to shoulder to bring to reality automotive products that offer quality and above all unparalleled safety in ever evolving complex automotive systems.

The 26262 club organising committee would like to encourage younger and up and coming talent to pursue higher demanding roles and positions and be able to apply all their skills and knowledge to drive an industry in constant development and at a critical stage.

Therefore, the 26262 Club is launching a mentorship program in January 2023 that provides access to senior experts that can contribute to professional and personal evolvement of the mentee.

Without excluding participants, the organising committee particularly invites female participants and groups of minorities in the industry.

We hope that this acts as an additional motivation for long-term safety-related careers in automotive and provide opportunities for networking between corporate ladders.

Schedule

Launch: January 2023 for Mentors & February 2023 for Mentees

Conclusion: July 2023

Time investment: 1-2 hours per month

  • approximately six digital/in-person meetings between mentor & mentee,
  • Joined progress meetings with Program Leader incl. Launch, Mid program review and final assessment.
  • Separate networking opportunities between mentees, and separate networking opportunities between mentors.

For Mentors

There will be a digital kick-off meeting for mentors beginning of 2023 for introduction with the Mentorship Program Leader. You will be provided training and guidance before meeting with your mentee. You will have the opportunity to accept/decline your designated mentee if there is a potential clash of interest or other factors.

Mentors Profiles

  • Senior industry professionals with at least 20 years in the industry and minimum 10 years in management positions
  • Expert level in functional safety and other safety-related disciplines
  • Has the motivation to contribute to the industry’s progression and pass knowledge to newcomers

Support to Mentors

Even though monetary compensation is not within the scope of this program, the 26262 club will support the mentors with:

  • Free ticket to The 26262 Club own conferences/meetings
  • Training to further leadership skills by renowned industry trainer
  • Certification of program completion
  • Networking with other same level leaders/mentors from across the value chain and globe
  • Opportunity for your organisation to further develop and act on their DEI initiatives

For Mentees

Mentees will have the opportunity to meet leaders from organisations outside their own and discover paths to excel in their chosen career. Mentees will have the opportunity to network with like-minded other mentees across the value chain and share cross-industry experiences.

Mentees Profile

  • Minimum 6 years in the industry and minimum 3 years in functional safety and other safety related roles
  • Ambition and motivation to progress in career
  • Has some type of management experience already e.g. project or program management and/or direct reports.
  • Suitable for mid career professionals looking to take the next step

Support to Mentees

Even though monetary compensation is not within the scope of this program, the 26262 club will support the mentees with:

  • Free ticket to The 26262 Club own conferences/meetings
  • Training to further leadership skills by renowned industry practitioners and subject experts
  • Certification of program completion
  • Networking with other mentees from across the value chain and globe

About the Program Leader, Johan Stenson

We are thankful to Johan Stenson, Head of Personal Care and Senior Director at Volvo Cars, that will support the program as trainer for mentors and facilitator for the program. Johan is also a Coach at Stenson Coaching AB, a family-owned company that focuses on people and businesses.

Johan has over 20 years of experience in leading and managing several functions within product development and human resources. He focuses on both human capital and building cross-cultural and cross-functional relations, with a drive for developing highly effective teams, either from a leading or coaching role.

He defines himself as an empathetic listener with a coaching approach, centering on being present in order to build trustworthy relationships.

“I have experienced how much a mentor means for my own development as a leader,” he says. “A natural step for me has therefore always been to be a role model and take on mentees to help them grow.

“In this program I hope to help other leaders to be great role models and mentors in inspiring more female leaders to develop in a male dominated engineering field.

Johan Stenson

Disclaimer

  • The program will be guided by strong non-competitive clause that should not be discussed during the meetings. The meetings will be focus on personal and leadership skills development in the field of functional safety.
  • While we will do our outmost best to match all participants, in case this is not possible (e.g. not available mentor in specific geolocation, not matching participants etc) we will try our best to find you accommodate you in a future program
  • This program is not-for-profit and monetary exchange between mentor and mentee is not allowed. The 26262 Club will fund necessary meetings and activities.
  • This is not a functional safety training. The goal of this program is mentorship and development in skills necessary for future leaders. There is no technical training involved.