SCARPA, a manufacturer of performance footwear for climbing, hiking, skiing, mountaineering, trail running and other outdoor pursuits, has launched “SCARPA Stands for Guiding Growth” Athlete Mentorship Initiative to create more diversity, equity and inclusion in the climbing and outdoor sports community.
The program is designed to welcome historically marginalized and underserved communities at all levels of sport and industry, including as sponsored athletes, professional guides, company leaders and in boardrooms. the Athlete Mentorship Initiative aims to support them as a first step on a longer journey towards more inclusion and representation.
SCARPA is reaching out to these populations including, but not limited to, people of color, LGBTQ and adaptive/disabled communities of climbers, skiers, mountaineers and trail runners who may benefit from being paired with a SCARPA athlete mentor who can guide them towards achieving their goals. Some of these goals might include:
- Establishing connections in the industry
- Building brand partnerships
- Growing their social media presence
- Transitioning their athletic interests into a career
- Learning how to work effectively with non-profit organizations
The organization plans to use its experts to educate and empower the participants while encouraging them to give back to others in their communities after completion of the mentorship program. This will be accomplished through one-on-one monthly virtual meetings, weekly mentor-mentee communication, SCARPA athlete-led focus groups, Outdoor Industry community panels, CEO round tables and a selection of other events and presentations. Resources and education focused on goal setting, communication development, equity and inclusion subjects and more also will be provided.
If you or someone you know would be a good fit for this program and wants to learn from professional athletes how to excel at the highest level of an outdoor sports discipline, visit SCARPA’s website for more information and for details about how to apply.
