Give to Gain meaningful staff conversations at Notre Dame

Designed to strengthen relationships across campuses and foster a culture of shared learning, the Give an Hour, Gain a Connection initiative was launched on International Women’s Day at Notre Dame. The program offers staff a meaningful way to connect - inviting participants to either ‘Give an Hour’ by sharing their experience and expertise, or ‘Gain an Hour’ by being matched with senior colleagues for mentorship and guidance.

During April, 23 connections were made across campuses nationally with 56 participants contributing to give an hour or gain an hour. Connections were based creating opportunities for authentic mentorship, with three key categories – leadership and career insights, connection and coaching conversations, and learning and skills development.

The initiative played an important role in bringing staff together across disciplines, roles and locations, creating valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and professional connection.

A post initiative survey found that almost all participants who gained an hour, engaged in insightful and collaborative conversations.

Dr Clare Andreallo, who volunteered to give an hour, described the experience as both professionally and personally rewarding.

“What started as a one-off conversation has developed into an ongoing professional connection, as we are now meeting monthly to share ideas, career experiences and insights,” Dr Andreallo said.

She also reflected on the broader value of the initiative, noting it provided an opportunity to support a colleague while gaining insight into another part of the University.

Team Leader Jackie Moreno was excited to learn about this initiative during the International Women’s Day event and registered to gain an hour.

Team Leader Jackie Moreno, who participated after learning about the initiative at the International Women’s Day event, emphasised the importance of connection across the organisation.

“I have been a staff member at Notre Dame since 2020 and I immensely enjoyed the opportunity this initiative provided to connect with a senior staff member,” she said.

Building on this early success, Notre Dame plans to expand the Give to Gain initiative into 2027, further embedding mentorship, collaboration and cross-University connection as key drivers of staff development and community engagement.