ImpactCR Celebrates a Successful First Year of Mentorship Program

ImpactCR Celebrates a Successful First Year of Mentorship Program

October 27, 2026 | Economic Development & Workforce

In recognition of National Mentoring Day, ImpactCR is proud to celebrate the success of its inaugural Mentorship Program, launched in 2026 to help connect emerging leaders with experienced professionals across the Cedar Rapids community.

The program exceeded expectations in its first year, resulting in 34 successful mentor-mentee matches. Participants were thoughtfully paired based on professional interests, career goals, leadership development opportunities, and personal strengths, creating meaningful connections designed to foster growth, guidance, and long-term community engagement.

"One of ImpactCR's goals is to develop and retain talented young professionals in our region," said Lisa Feuerbach, Economic Alliance Director of Workforce. "The mentorship program creates opportunities for individuals to learn from one another, expand their networks, and gain valuable insights that help them grow both personally and professionally."

Throughout the year, mentors and mentees committed to building relationships through regular conversations, sharing experiences, discussing career development, and exploring ways to become more engaged in the Cedar Rapids community. Early feedback from participants has highlighted the value of having a trusted connection to provide encouragement, perspective, and support.

The success of the program reflects ImpactCR's ongoing commitment to strengthening our workforce, developing future leaders, and fostering connections that make the Cedar Rapids area a great place to live, work, and thrive.

As we look ahead to 2027, ImpactCR is excited to continue growing the initiative and creating new opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement.

Interested in the ImpactCR Mentorship Program? Join us at Make Your Mark, ImpactCR's annual end-of-year celebration, Thursday, Nov. 5, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Classic Event Center, 3607 First Ave. SE. Tickets are $25 per person at CedarRapids.org.

The event recognizes the impact of the ImpactCR programming throughout the year, including leadership development, networking, volunteerism, and the success of the inaugural mentorship program. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with current participants, hear about program experiences, and celebrate the meaningful relationships and community impact created throughout 2026. Whether you're considering becoming a mentor, mentee, or simply want to learn more about ImpactCR, Make Your Mark is the perfect opportunity to get involved and help shape what's next.

About ImpactCR
ImpactCR is a program of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance dedicated to connecting, engaging, and developing young professionals through leadership opportunities, networking events, volunteerism, and professional development experiences that strengthen the Cedar Rapids region.

Join us at Make Your Mark as we celebrate a year of connections, growth, and community impact, and discover how you can be part of the next chapter of the ImpactCR Mentorship Program.