Veritext Elevates Employee Development Through Cross-Functional Mentorship
with Michelle Knowlton
Senior Learning and Development Program Manager,
Veritext Legal Solutions
Mentorloop Impact Award Winner 2024
"Before engaging with Mentorloop, Veritext had no formal mentorship program. Our employees were siloed by region, which limited their exposure to other functions and leadership within the company. Many employees were eager to grow both professionally and personally but lacked the necessary guidance and mentorship to help them explore new topics and opportunities."
Pioneering Mentorship at Veritext
Hi, my name is Michelle Knowlton, and I’m a Senior Program Manager for the Learning and Development team at Veritext Legal Solutions–the largest court reporting firm in North America.
At Veritext, people development is a top priority, and we’re excited to share our journey with Mentorloop and the incredible impact it’s had on our mentorship program.
Challenges Before Mentorloop: Creating Connections Across Regions
Before engaging with Mentorloop, Veritext had no formal mentorship program. Our employees were siloed by region, which limited their exposure to other functions and leadership within the company. Many employees were eager to grow both professionally and personally but lacked the necessary guidance and mentorship to help them explore new topics and opportunities.
"As the Senior Program Manager overseeing this initiative alongside other projects, we needed a platform that could manage the application, matching, and communication processes without the need for a full-time program coordinator."
After extensive research, we chose Mentorloop for its easy application process, flexible matching algorithm, and seamless integration with tools like Microsoft Outlook and Zoom.
Additionally, the platform’s sentiment feedback feature provided us with real-time insights into the progress of mentor-mentee relationships, ensuring any issues were addressed early on.
Building Relationships, Driving Growth
Veritext’s mentorship program has already had a significant impact, even in its early stages. We are currently in our second cohort, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants have reported feeling more confident, empowered, and prepared to advocate for themselves.
One mentee shared, “I am stronger, more confident, and more equipped to self-advocate.” The word “advocate” appeared frequently in the feedback, signaling the transformative power of mentorship in helping employees take ownership of their careers.
"We have also seen a rise in cross-functional understanding as employees engage with colleagues from other regions and departments. This not only strengthens internal networks but also helps participants develop a broader perspective on their roles and responsibilities."
One mentee noted, “I learned some valuable ways to work through employee issues and gained insight into another aspect of Veritext.”
Veritext’s succession planning efforts have also benefited from the program, as emerging leaders are paired with senior leaders, creating valuable opportunities for knowledge transfer and growth.
Ensuring Equal Access to Mentoring
When selecting participants for the program, we intentionally prioritize diversity in both region and department to ensure a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Our program is designed to be inclusive, offering employees across all levels the opportunity to participate as mentees or mentors.
Veritext also places a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our mentoring program, creating a safe space for employees to connect and build relationships. By providing a neutral platform for growth and development, we are ensuring that everyone, regardless of role or background, has access to the support they need to thrive.
Building a Culture of Mentorship at Veritext
Mentorship has become a key component of Veritext’s culture. We’ve presented the details and impact of our pilot program to all managers and executive leaders, encouraging them to actively promote and participate in the program. One unique feature of our mentorship program is that it’s accessible to employees at all levels, not just senior executives. This inclusivity allows employees to tailor their mentorship experience to their specific goals, making the program highly personalized.
The mentorship program has also fostered cross-departmental connections, allowing participants to gain fresh perspectives from colleagues outside their direct reporting lines. One participant shared, “I appreciate the honesty and comfort level with my mentor. He’s an excellent leader and is always willing to hear me out, but also talk me down when I’m wrong.” This feedback highlights the program’s ability to create meaningful, trust-based relationships that encourage both personal and professional growth.
Future Plans: Expanding and Evolving the Program
Looking ahead, we have ambitious goals for the future of Veritext’s mentorship program. We’re exploring the concept of reverse mentoring, where junior employees mentor senior leaders to provide fresh insights and perspectives. We also aim to expand the program beyond its current cap and establish a mentor training system to ensure high-quality mentorship across the board.
Additionally, we’re introducing monthly group discussions on topics like leadership and communication, allowing participants to engage with one another and share insights in a collaborative setting. We plan to run mentorship cohorts simultaneously in the future, ensuring continuous opportunities for employees to participate and grow.
Finally, we hope to integrate Mentorloop into Veritext’s Leaders Rising program, which pairs senior-level employees with executive mentors. By aligning these initiatives, we can further enhance our succession planning efforts and provide additional growth opportunities for our emerging leaders.
Veritext’s mentorship program has quickly become a cornerstone of our employee development efforts, thanks to the support and flexibility provided by Mentorloop. We are excited to continue expanding the program, fostering a culture of mentorship, and empowering our employees to reach new heights in their careers.
Michelle Knowlton
Senior Learning and Development Program Manager, Veritext Legal Solutions
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Veritext’s succession planning efforts have also benefited from the program, as emerging leaders are paired with senior leaders, creating valuable opportunities for knowledge transfer and growth.
– with Michelle Knowlton, Senior L&D Program Manager, Veritext Legal Solutions
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