--- title: Defiant Optimism of 'Unveiled' - Unveiled - The Month Ahead description: Why the name ‘Unveiled’? Because sponsorship is the ‘hidden’ aspect (and quite a critical one!) when it comes to career advancement. --- [Skip to content](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/blog/p/defiant-optimism-of-unveiled#main-content) [![Unveiled Logo - Orange Grey-2](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Unveiled%20Logo%20-%20Orange%20Grey-2.png?width=150&height=50&name=Unveiled%20Logo%20-%20Orange%20Grey-2.png)](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/) - [About Us](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/about) Show submenu for About Us - [2025 Impact Report](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/impact) - [Follow Our Book's Journey](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/book) - [Our Team](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/team) - [What We Offer](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/elevate) - [Programs & Events](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/events) - [Stories - Ours & Yours](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/stories) Show submenu for Stories - Ours & Yours - [Monthly Newsletter](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/blog) - [Membership](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/membership) - [Donate](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/donate) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [About Us](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/about) Show submenu for About Us - [2025 Impact Report](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/impact) - [Follow Our Book's Journey](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/book) - [Our Team](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/team) - [What We Offer](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/elevate) - [Programs & Events](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/events) - [Stories - Ours & Yours](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/stories) Show submenu for Stories - Ours & Yours - [Monthly Newsletter](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/blog) - [Membership](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/membership) - [Donate](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/donate) [All posts](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/blog/all) November 1, 2022 # Defiant Optimism of 'Unveiled' ![Picture of Unveiled - Bridging the Gap](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/c1ead51e8985d9c6fc21e133c2cee847) By  Unveiled - Bridging the Gap  ·  3 minute read ![User's avatar](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/97539604-9934-4b7d-92d0-72492b2fb444_500x500-Sep-30-2026-03-53-59-7890-PM.jpg?width=64&height=64&name=97539604-9934-4b7d-92d0-72492b2fb444_500x500-Sep-30-2026-03-53-59-7890-PM.jpg) Discover more from Unveiled - The Month Ahead Research, trends, tips and Q&A focused on building sponsorship for career advancement Subscribe By subscribing, you agree Substack's [Terms of Use](https://substack.com/tos), and acknowledge its [Information Collection Notice](https://substack.com/ccpa#personal-data-collected) and [Privacy Policy](https://substack.com/privacy). 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Sign in # Defiant Optimism of 'Unveiled' [![Unveiled's avatar](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/97539604-9934-4b7d-92d0-72492b2fb444_500x500-Sep-30-2026-03-53-54-8184-PM.jpg?width=36&height=36&name=97539604-9934-4b7d-92d0-72492b2fb444_500x500-Sep-30-2026-03-53-54-8184-PM.jpg)](https://substack.com/@unveiledbridgingthegap) [Unveiled](https://substack.com/@unveiledbridgingthegap) Nov 01, 2022 2 Share [![](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/c39ba312-1732-4f3a-85e0-206af9afdc95_2276x1707.jpg?width=304&height=228&name=c39ba312-1732-4f3a-85e0-206af9afdc95_2276x1707.jpg)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kfYj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc39ba312-1732-4f3a-85e0-206af9afdc95_2276x1707.jpeg) **Note from the Founder (Sahana Mukherjee)** > ***Why the name ‘Unveiled’?*** Because sponsorship is the ‘hidden’ aspect (and quite a critical one!) when it comes to career advancement. The more senior the role, the more critical the need for sponsorship. We want to shine a bright light on it. Let’s flip the power and break the cycle of historically marginalized groups being over-mentored and under-sponsored. > > ***Why form a community?*** Because I believe in the power of coming together and I wanted to bring everyone into the dialogue, whether they want to solve it or want to understand it to become empowered about their own advancement. Let’s figure out together how we can stop situations where we feel we are playing to win only to realize (later than we would like) that no one told us what all the rules of the game were. > > --- ### **First things first….** What is sponsorship, and how is it different from mentorship? While a lot of people know mentorship, the side-effect of a concept missing from mainstream conversation is that there isn’t a broad understanding of it. Here’s a simple visualization to explain the difference. [![](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/11ce8b2f-ffd7-454e-b8ef-bc9a75acd7e5_650x377.jpg?width=650&height=377&name=11ce8b2f-ffd7-454e-b8ef-bc9a75acd7e5_650x377.jpg)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7XWR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F11ce8b2f-ffd7-454e-b8ef-bc9a75acd7e5_650x377.jpeg) **Information is Power** [![](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/312363b6-d239-4754-a480-16e2ccaa7893_1200x1200.jpg?width=190&height=190&name=312363b6-d239-4754-a480-16e2ccaa7893_1200x1200.jpg)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zLDX!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F312363b6-d239-4754-a480-16e2ccaa7893_1200x1200.png) When people from historically marginalized groups ask “How do I get promoted?”, the response usually focuses on building their confidence and developing their leadership skills - aspects that give a competitive edge when you’re on the list already. The missing piece is the requirement that will get you on the list in the first place - opportunities where you can prove your capability in business / financial / strategic acumen to operate at the higher level. So next time, ask questions like this instead: “How can I get involved in that challenging (which will also be high visibility) project?” and VOCALIZE your interest in taking on stretch assignments and growth projects! #### The Path Ahead …and How YOU can join us on this journey **Highway 1:** Say ‘Hello’ to our monthly newsletter…with a twist! We bring you data-based information, tips and (yes) call to action - you bring us questions on sponsorship and career advancement where YOU need guidance (we will anonymize by default unless you request it to be attributed to you). **Subscribe and share now!** Email your questions and stories at unveiled.bridgingthegap@gmail.com [Share Unveiled - The Month Ahead](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share) **Highway 2:** Member applications are [OPEN](https://forms.gle/CEgHGVoXeXcyefN78)! For our initial introductory phase, we invite non-binary or female-identifying individuals in Technology to [APPLY BY DECEMBER 15](https://forms.gle/CEgHGVoXeXcyefN78)! Technology continues to grow at a fast pace and we want to start with bridging the gap to sponsorship for some of the groups that continue to be underrepresented at their top leadership. Want to unlock that promotion, stretch assignment or pay increase through authentic sponsorship? Let us help you unlock it! 1. Complete applications by December 15, 2022 1. *Please take some time to provide thoughtful responses: We are a group of highly motivated individuals looking to change the rules of the game for better! And we are a small team of pro-bono, dedicated professionals who are investing their personal time to help others rise! That means that given the limited slots (we want to make sure each candidate has dedicated time!), we encourage you to carefully consider why sponsorship is so important for you now, at this point of your career – this will help us ensure we select the candidates with the greatest need first.* 2. Hear selection decision by January 15, 2023 1. *Whether we are able to onboard you as a member or not, we will run an [#IamRemarkable](https://iamremarkable.withgoogle.com/) workshop for all applicants to help them get comfortable with talking about and celebrating their achievements!* 3. Kick off member cohort experience in Q1 2023! [Apply Now!](https://forms.gle/CEgHGVoXeXcyefN78) **Highway 3:** Follow our [LinkedIn Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unveiled-bridging-the-gap-to-sponsorship/) to engage in a frequent conversation through our updates; Join our [LinkedIn group](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12717617/) to continue the dialogue or crowdsource ideas with each other! [Follow Us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unveiled-bridging-the-gap-to-sponsorship/) [Continue the Conversation on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12717617/) --- **Unveiling answers to your questions** We start with a question raised during our launch event - a lively discussion between Jennifer, Maureen and Shruti about evolving nature of work prompted this - ***“How to build sponsorship in a team when I am remote?”*** Proximity bias is a reality, just like the need for sponsorship for career advancement. But that only means that you have to be intentional about the results you are looking for. Here are 5 steps to help build sponsors so that being remote doesn’t mean compromising on career advancement: 1. Spend time on intentional goal-setting - What does career advancement mean to you? What is your desired outcome? 2. Defining your goals can then help you map out the people who can make it happen - this is your network of potential sponsors. 3. Seek out potential sponsors in the office to cultivate the relationship. Map out a mix of sponsors in various forums (don’t forget your direct manager). 4. Leverage opportunities to maximize in-person interactions - Planning to visit the office? Set up conversations and be prepared to talk about what interests you in their work, contributions they are making to the organization and how your work ties into that. Got ideas, share them! PLAN AHEAD so they think of you next time related projects come up. 5. Are there opportunities for you to sponsor someone? Don’t overlook them - not only will they help someone but they also establish your own influence. Tell us how it goes once you try these steps - share feedback and additional questions at unveiled.bridgingthegap@gmail.com ! ***Our Launch Event - Pictures are worth a Thousand Words!*** [![](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/e1b0e53c-05e0-4304-8bbd-0b1c7a572588_6912x3456.jpg?width=1456&height=728&name=e1b0e53c-05e0-4304-8bbd-0b1c7a572588_6912x3456.jpg)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Je2M!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe1b0e53c-05e0-4304-8bbd-0b1c7a572588_6912x3456.jpeg) --- ##### Take time to develop YOU - Amazing offerings from our collaborators! [![](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/5a86ef68-cc46-4362-b05d-4117e6db8859_1280x720.png?width=428&name=5a86ef68-cc46-4362-b05d-4117e6db8859_1280x720.png)](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/level-up-with-meytier-how-to-create-a-kick-ass-bio-that-attracts-tickets-439886250617?aff=LinkedInEvent) [Register](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/level-up-with-meytier-how-to-create-a-kick-ass-bio-that-attracts-tickets-439886250617?aff=LinkedInEvent) [![](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/a29ee59f-e52f-4c43-8842-93ade8207c03_872x967.jpg?width=338&name=a29ee59f-e52f-4c43-8842-93ade8207c03_872x967.jpg)](https://www.upotential.org/events-1/lift-each-other-up-mentor-mingle) [Register](https://www.upotential.org/events-1/lift-each-other-up-mentor-mingle) Thanks for reading Unveiled - The Month Ahead! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. Subscribe [![Unveiled's avatar](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/97539604-9934-4b7d-92d0-72492b2fb444_500x500-Sep-30-2026-03-54-11-1353-PM.jpg?width=32&height=32&name=97539604-9934-4b7d-92d0-72492b2fb444_500x500-Sep-30-2026-03-54-11-1353-PM.jpg)](https://substack.com/profile/107507246-unveiled) [![In happiness, in kindness's avatar](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1ae4fd6f-f8b4-4a40-94f1-597ce8d80357_1068x1068.jpg?width=32&height=32&name=1ae4fd6f-f8b4-4a40-94f1-597ce8d80357_1068x1068.jpg)](https://substack.com/profile/5276774-in-happiness-in-kindness) 2 Likes 2 Share Next Share [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/blog/p/defiant-optimism-of-unveiled) [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/blog/p/defiant-optimism-of-unveiled) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/blog/p/defiant-optimism-of-unveiled) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/blog/p/defiant-optimism-of-unveiled) [![](https://unveiledbridgingthegap.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Unveiled%20Logo%20-%20Black.png?width=150&height=150&name=Unveiled%20Logo%20-%20Black.png)](http://Team%20@Unveiled) Empowering people to break the cycle of being over-mentored and under-sponsored, enabling them to gain equitable access to opportunities for career advancement. **Mentorship vs. Sponsorship:** We move beyond advice. Sponsorship is active advocacy, introductions, and helping you get a seat at the table. 131 Continental Drive Suite 305, Newark, DE 19713 Unveiled - Bridging the Gap Corp is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. 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