YCLA finalist Kimberley Conolly inspires Mentoring Cayman class at annual luncheon
The 2021 Mentoring Cayman class gathered for the annual luncheon on Tuesday, April 20 at the Cayman Turtle Centre. Sixty-eight (68) mentors and mentees were in attendance.
Introduced by the Chamber of Commerce in 2002 in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Mentoring Cayman is a six-month programme that pairs high-achieving year 10 and 11 students from the public and private schools selected by their school principals with an influential and motivated mentor from the business community or government. Over 1,000 students have benefited, acquiring new personal and professional skills since the launch of the programme.
Young Caymanian Leadership Award (YCLA) finalist Kimberley Conolly delivered an inspiring keynote address on the importance of mentorship. “Mentorship is vital to success and succession of our nation and at times can make the difference between life and death,” she said.
She shared her personal mentoring experience with her mentor and believes it is important to mentor while being mentored to ensure that good cycles exist. She encouraged all mentors to never give up because so many people depend 
on their expertise.
“Mentors help their protégés believe that anything can be achieved no matter how impossible it may seem… I stand successful [today] because of the endless efforts of my mentor, Annette,” she said.
Mentees have attended four workplace visits thus far, which has involved full days of interaction with their mentors, learning about their day-to-day operations, receiving guidance about career choices, and getting to know each other on a personal level.
The luncheon gave mentees the opportunity to 
socialize and discuss their experiences of the programme and to catch up with their respective mentors. Mentors were also able to meet each other and share experiences about their mentoring relationships.
For the remainder of the programme, students will attend a final workplace visit and a social activity. Students and mentors will then be recognized at the closing reception to be held at the Governor’s residence on Thursday, June 3, 2021.
The Chamber would like to thank Ms. Conolly for delivering the keynote address and inspiring the mentees and mentors with her powerful message. The Chamber 
would also like to thank the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture & Lands for supporting the programme.
CaribbeanMGT was the luncheon sponsor. We also thank our other corporate sponsors: Cayman Water, Cox Lumber Ltd., Knighthead Annuity & Life Assurance Company, Rocky’s Diamond Gallery and KPMG. Special thanks to the Cayman Turtle Centre for letting the Chamber host its annual Mentoring Cayman luncheon at their restaurant.