The Champions Program

Join us and experience sponsorship that's not just supportive but transformational in your tech journey.

Want to be paired with a Champion? Become a Toast Member today.

EXPECT MORE THAN MENTORSHIP

Empowering women in tech with real opportunities.

The Toast Champions Program is a unique initiative designed to empower women by pairing them with a leader in the tech industry to serve as their sponsor, provide guidance and unlock opportunities for their career.

More than mentorship—opening doors & creating connections.

Unlike traditional mentorship programs, the Toast Champions Program focuses on sponsorship, aiming to open doors and create meaningful connections for women in tech.

Top tech leaders matched 1:1 with Toast members.

What sets this program apart is its approach of bringing in Director+ executives from tech organizations in North America to serve as sponsors. These sponsors, both men and women, are matched with Toast members on a one-to-one basis each quarter.

Less over-mentoring, more sponsorship where it counts.

The program recognizes that women are often over-mentored and under-sponsored, and that men hold the majority of leadership roles in the tech industry.

Everyone learns together

While Toast Mentors will benefit from career development, the Champions themselves will simultaneously be going through no-BS, trauma-informed allyship training.

Ensure your voice is heard in tech's top circles

By involving men as sponsors, the Toast Champions Program aims to address the gender imbalance in tech leadership and ensure that women receive the sponsorship they need to advance their careers. This program also aims to alleviate the burden on women by not placing additional time expectations solely on them to uplift other women.

Instead, the program recognizes the importance of men's involvement in creating a more equitable and inclusive industry.

Through the Toast Champions Program, women in tech have the opportunity to benefit from the support and guidance of experienced sponsors who can help them navigate their careers and create valuable opportunities.

By fostering these sponsorships, the program aims to create a more diverse and inclusive tech industry where women can thrive.

Key dates

APPLICATIONS
OPEN

February 10th - 21st 2025
‍
Become a member to apply and be matched with a Champion.

WELCOME
EMAILS

March 3rd 2025

Accepted Toast members (mentees) and Champions (sponsors) will receive confirmation and details on the mandatory kickoff session.

TRAINING
KICKOFF

March 10th 2025

Join the Champions team for a kickoff session to set expectations, establish goals, and prepare for the program.

ASYNC ONBOARDING & INITIAL TRAINING

March 10th - 31st 2025

Participants complete self-paced learning, including key readings, exercises, and training materials.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF
MATCHES

March 31st 2025
‍
Participants receive their match assignments and join follow-up calls to discuss key takeaways and next steps.

INITIAL 1:1
MEETINGS

April 2025

Toast members and their Champions schedule their first meetings to build rapport, set expectations, and outline collaboration goals.

ONGOING CHECK-INS AND SUPPORT

April - September 2025

Monthly peer-support check-ins provide space to share insights, tackle challenges, and celebrate wins.

PROGRAM
WRAP-UP

September 2025

The full cohort gathers to reflect on learnings, celebrate successes, and discuss next steps for career growth and sponsorship.

*Dates subject to change

REAL STORIES, REAL IMPACT:
HEAR FROM OUR TOAST CHAMPIONS

I found it incredibly valuable to have the support and encouragement while job hunting; my champion was a cheerleader for me and a sounding board for major decisions. My champion helped me with technical interviews by sharing the technical assignments he uses to hire; I did the assignments on my own and then he reviewed and provided specific feedback. This was extremely helpful; the opportunity to build something and get thoughtful feedback and suggestions for improvements is something I wouldn’t not have been able to get outside of the program while unemployed.

Song Ha

Software Engineer / Full Stack Developer

I had a pretty interesting experience with my mentor and champion. We are so different on paper based on our career paths but he was exactly what I needed. I don't know what kind of magic Toast used to put us together but it was perfect.
He is so personable and knows how to build strong connections. He has helped increase my confidence in how I present myself authentically at work and at networking events.

Lauren

The Champions Program gave me invaluable insights into communicating my impact. My champion helped me frame my projects in terms of their monetary value, which has been crucial for salary negotiations, job applications, and overall career growth. I’ve since applied this approach to my resume, cover letters, and career discussions.

Beyond that, our conversations evolved naturally, and my goals shifted along the way, which I really appreciated. Most importantly, the program created a safe space for vulnerability and genuine connection. That level of openness strengthened our relationship and made the experience even more impactful.

Silvia Losada

Data Scientist

The Champions program is available to all Toast Members

Become a Toast Member to participate in the upcoming cohort

JOIN TOAST