The Sponsorship Gap

Mentorship offers guidance, but sponsorship drives advancement. This session explores how to build visibility, relationships, and advocacy to attract sponsors who open doors to leadership.

Moving from Mentorship to Active Advocacy

Mentors offer guidance and advice, but sponsors move the needle on advancement. This conversation explores the critical difference between the two and what it takes to position yourself for a sponsor. Rita Khan will share how she leveraged visibility and relationships to attract the advocates who opened doors to senior leadership.

Key Takeaways:

  • The real difference between a mentor and a sponsor and why it matters for your advancement
  • How to build the visibility that attracts sponsors, not just admirers of your work
  • What it takes to turn professional relationships into advocacy
Speaker
Rita Khan
Chief Consumer Officer
Optum

Rita Khan is Chief Consumer Officer at Optum, where she leads consumer strategy, digital transformation, and data-driven innovation to create more personalized and seamless healthcare experiences. With over 20 years of leadership across healthcare, retail, and technology, she has held senior roles at UnitedHealthcare, Mayo Clinic, and major consumer brands, including Target, Best Buy, and Macy’s, helping organizations transform how they engage and serve people.

Facilitator
Sherhara Burrell
Keynote Speaker, Communication Advisor, EMCEE
Sherhara

Sherhara Burrell is a keynote speaker, communication advisor, and professional emcee who helps leaders and organizations communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. She specializes in executive presence, storytelling, and high-stakes communication, drawing on her experience guiding professionals to elevate how they show up and lead in critical moments.

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Join Us for Voices of the ELC - The Sponsorship Gap