Darlene Bess Welcome New Cohort of Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circle Participants

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Darlene Bess Welcomes New Cohort of Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circle Participants

September 9, 2025

A healthy, thriving culture of excellence is one where everyone feels heard, acknowledged, and included, with access to opportunities for growth in a psychologically safe environment. Building this kind of culture requires collective effort.

That collective effort is at the heart of the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles (LLMC) program, now entering its fifth cohort. Organized annually by the Diversity and Inclusion Office, Materiel Group, National Defence, LLMC has grown into the largest inter-governmental group mentoring initiative for members of the Defence Team and the Federal Public Service. The 10-week program connects participants across 60 organizations, creating a powerful platform for inclusive leadership, mentorship, and sponsorship.

On September 9, 2025, LLMC officially launched with more than 1,400 participants in attendance. The event featured opening remarks by mentoring champion Darlene Bess, Assistant Deputy Minister, Resolution and Partnerships at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) along with inspirational messages from three of the program’s five Masterclass teachers.

Darlene Bess: The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship

In her opening, Darlene Bess highlighted the transformative role of both mentorship and sponsorship in career advancement. “You can't just put your head down and do the most amazing work and think that that's going to be enough to advance your career. Take it to the next level,” she urged. She explained that while mentorship provides guidance, skill development, and confidence, sponsorship requires senior leaders to actively advocate for others, using their influence to open doors.

Her message reinforced LLMC’s purpose: to develop leaders who not only invest in their own growth but also lift others as they climb.

Insights from Richard Sharpe: Values and Systemic Change

Richard Sharpe emphasized that diversity and inclusion efforts cannot stop at surface-level discussions. He acknowledged fatigue in the workplace around human rights conversations but stressed that these conversations must remain engaging and accessible. By weaving in popular culture, he makes them relatable while reminding participants of the mental health toll of discrimination.

Sharpe pointed out that individual effort alone cannot dismantle systemic racism, ableism, or sexism. Instead, collective and structural change is required. He expressed his excitement about contributing to those systemic shifts through LLMC, inspiring participants to step into this work with courage and persistence.

Insights from Jenny Chen: Sponsorship in Action

Jenny Chen brought her personal journey into focus, showing how resilience and sponsorship shaped her leadership path. Having immigrated to Canada in 1989 and rising through corporate finance into senior DEI leadership, Jenny shared how key leaders didn’t just mentor her—they actively championed her career.

She reminded participants that workplaces built only for the “average” or majority risk leaving talent behind. “When we design for equity, we design for everyone,” she explained. Jenny’s upcoming Masterclass on mentorship vs. sponsorship will give participants practical strategies to both support others and prepare themselves to be sponsored.

Insights from Charles Achampong: Building Confidence

Charles Achampong, encouraged participants to shift their mindset around confidence. Drawing on his bold decision to pause his career for a year-long global sabbatical with his family, Charles showed that confidence is built through action, not innate talent.

He offered three “confidence shifts”: silence the inner critic by asking what unique contribution you can make; lead before you feel ready, because confidence comes from stepping forward; and embrace “healthy arrogance,” trusting that your perspective matters even in intimidating spaces. “Confidence isn’t about fearlessness—it’s about choosing to act despite fear,” he concluded.

Looking Ahead

The Fifth Cohort of LLMC is more than a program—it’s a movement toward a stronger, more inclusive Defence Team and public service. Participants will leave with mentorship connections, leadership tools, and a deeper understanding of how to sponsor others into opportunities.

Call to Action

For participants: lean into this program, attend every circle, and apply the lessons from the Masterclasses to your daily leadership. For leaders across the public service: consider how you can extend sponsorship, champion equity, and create spaces where everyone thrives. Together, we can lift as we lead and transform the culture of our organizations for generations to come.