FasterCures Mentor & Expert Application: LeadersLink and Rare As One Programs |
Application Instructions
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Thank you for your interest in serving as a mentor or expert for the FasterCures LeadersLink or FasterCures/CZI Rare As One Program! This combined application supports recruitment for both programs, and applicants may express interest in one or both programs.
Who Can Serve?
Who Can Serve?
- LeadersLink Mentors: Current or former experienced patient organization executive leaders.
- LeadersLink Experts: Individuals with experience advancing patient organization and industry partnerships. This may include current or former patient organization leaders, industry professionals, government officials, nonprofit leaders, or others with relevant expertise.
- Rare As One Mentors: Current or former experienced patient organization executive leaders. Note: Rare disease experience is not required.
About the LeadersLink Program
The FasterCures LeadersLink program connects experienced leaders in research, patient engagement, philanthropy, and biomedical innovation with emerging leaders driving patient-centered progress. LeadersLink pairs mentors and subject-matter experts with nonprofit leaders to help strengthen organizational strategy, expand partnerships, deepen research readiness, and support patient engagement and advocacy capacity.
Key elements include:
Key elements include:
- Mentors are paired one-on-one with a participant for the full 18-month program. Their role is to provide consistent, individualized guidance on leadership and organizational development. Mentors do not need expertise in the cohort’s specific topic.
- Experts engage with the entire cohort as subject-matter resources. For this cohort, we are seeking experts with deep knowledge of advancing research through strategic industry partnerships. Experts provide targeted advice, office hours, presentations, and up to 10 hours per year of pro bono support.
- Commitments include quarterly engagement, participation in Milken Institute convenings (such as Future of Health Summit), and supporting mentee capstone projects. More information on program roles and expectations can be found here.
About the Rare as One (RAO) Mentorship Program
In partnership with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), FasterCures coordinates the Rare As One Mentorship Program to strengthen leadership, research readiness, and organizational capacity among rare disease nonprofits.
RAO mentors support leaders who are building patient-driven research networks, strengthening governance, and accelerating progress toward scientific discovery, treatment, and cures.
Key elements include:
In partnership with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), FasterCures coordinates the Rare As One Mentorship Program to strengthen leadership, research readiness, and organizational capacity among rare disease nonprofits.
RAO mentors support leaders who are building patient-driven research networks, strengthening governance, and accelerating progress toward scientific discovery, treatment, and cures.
Key elements include:
- Meeting with mentees every 4-6 weeks.
- Participation in RAO kick-off meeting.
- The upcoming cycle runs until December 2026.
About this Application:
This single application allows you to express interest in one or both programs. Your responses help the FasterCures team match mentees with mentors and experts based on experience, areas of expertise, capacity, and organizational profiles.
Before beginning, please note:
- The application takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete.
- You may save progress only if you return using the same device and browser.
- We recommend drafting narrative responses offline and pasting them into the form.
- Once submitted, responses cannot be edited.
If you have any questions about completing the questionnaire or experience technical challenges, please contact atisdale@milkeninstitute.org. For additional details on the FasterCures LeadersLink Program, please visit our program webpage.