Fast Forward 15 (FF15), an event industry mentoring
programme for women, has launched the Fast Forward Forum.
The Forum is a membership alliance that is open to all
meetings professionals. It will run alongside the FF15 mentoring
programme which is approaching its 10-year anniversary.
The Fast Forward Forum will focus on continuing education
and network building for mentees, mentors and programme supporters across our
industry, to ensure that they continue to be supported as well as welcoming new
faces to the community. They are also inviting prospective mentee/mentor
applicants to join in on the activities to sample what being part of the Fast
Forward community is all about.
FF15 founder, Fay Sharpe OBE, said: “Fast Forward 15’s
objective has always been to help women to excel in their careers and I’m
incredibly proud of what we have achieved to date. Our community is incredibly talented,
full of energy and kindness so what better way to keep everyone connected and
continue their development after their official cohort year is complete. As a
fully inclusive organisation, we want to welcome and further build this
wonderful network.”
Sharpe has appointed Sarah Zarywacz to lead this new
community activity – the Fast Forward Forum. During her time as an FF15 mentee
(2021/2022), Zarywacz achieved a career promotion, won multiple industry
awards, spoke at numerous industry events and started an industry focussed Instagram
blog.
Zarywacz said: “Having been a Fast Forward 15 mentee myself,
I know how life-changing this programme is, so I’m honoured that Fay has given
me this opportunity to lead the Fast Forward Forum. Leaving the programme after
a year’s immersion can be daunting because you’ve achieved so much, but why
stop ‘dream chasing’ there? I’m excited to reignite the energy our alumni
brought during their tenure and welcome new faces to our community”.
The Fast Forward Forum had a soft launch late last year via
an Alumni Festive Drinks evening, hosted by Hilton London Metropole. If you
would like to support the Fast Forward Forum as a supplier, sponsor or
volunteer, please contact Sarah Zarywacz - [email protected].
