About Us

lollipop mentoring is a non-profit CIC founded to address a straightforward but urgent problem: Black women are significantly underrepresented in leadership, and access to the mentorship that drives career progression has never been equally distributed. We exist to help close that gap. We run entirely on the dedication of our team — a small group of people who give their time and expertise because they believe this work matters. We’ve been supported by some brilliant individuals and organisations along the way, and we’re grateful for every one of them.

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

lollipop Gallery

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

Model & Fashion Designer

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Founder

Maria McDowell

Maria McDowell FOUNDER

Maria started her career as a digital delivery consultant working with a vast array of digital agencies and brands spanning the past 20 years. She has spent her career managing, building and nurturing teams and departments.

Cultivating teams over the years led Maria to develop a deep passion for mentoring and coaching. She is a former member of the BIMA mentoring council and Head of Mentorship for Brixton Finishing School.

“I know what it is like to stall in my career, be labelled, not championed and ‘left for dead’. I also know what it is like to have an advocate and how a true mentor and sponsor can change not only the direction of your career, but also your life.

The aim of lollipop is to ensure that Black women have access to individuals who can help to get them to the next level. I want them to know that they are not alone – there is help.”

OUR MISSION

lollipop was founded to address the lack of representation and inequity faced by Black women in leadership roles. That commitment remains at the heart of everything we do. As we’ve grown, it’s become clear that many more women — across backgrounds — face similar challenges, particularly at mid-career, where support can often fall away. So we’ve expanded. Today, lollipop supports all mid-level women, while continuing to centre Black women, who remain significantly underrepresented at senior levels. We bring together a network of experienced mentors — people with lived experience and committed allies — who are dedicated to creating practical, meaningful change. Through mentorship, we build confidence, improve access, and support women to navigate their careers with clarity and ambition. When women are supported to grow and lead, the impact reaches far beyond the individual.

Retaining talent

lollipop also works with companies who want to invest in their people. Our extended mentoring programme gives organisations access to a trusted network of mentors and mentees, helping them support diverse hires, improve retention, and build genuinely inclusive cultures. We handle the detail — from matching mentors and mentees, to kick-off training, mid-programme check-ins, escalation support, and a comprehensive wrap-up session. Optional communication platforms and exclusive networking events are also available. If you’d like to know more, get in touch at info@lollipopmentoring.com

measurement

We’re committed to making change that is both visible and measurable — whether that’s in wellbeing, confidence, or career progression. We track outcomes across our cohorts so we can keep improving and demonstrate real impact to our community and our partners. *Business in the Community (BITC) report **Data from Payment sense ***Forbes Image: Guest speaker Heather Small at lollipop mentoring networking event September 2021