lollipop mentoring’s Maria McDowell Nominated Mentor of the Year

Maria McDowell, founder of lollipop mentoring CIC and operations director at Publicis Poke, has been nominated for Mentor of the Year 2024 by the Multicultural Business & Community Champion (MBCC) Awards, as well as the National Diversity Awards’ Community Organisation Award for Race, Religion & Faith.

Over an extensive career at digital agencies and brands, Maria noticed a severe lack of Black female representation in leadership roles - as of June 2020, only 1.5% of UK managers, directors, and senior officials were Black, with even fewer being Black women. To empower her community and make real change, she founded lollipop mentoring in 2020 and extended its services last year  to support diverse talent across all ethnicities. She is also a former member of the BIMA Mentoring Council and head of mentorship at Brixton Finishing School.

It’s these efforts that have earned Maria recognition from both awards organisations. Championing and celebrating diversity, the MBCC Awards were established by Zoe Bennett BEM to honour the unsung heroes who selflessly uplift others and enrich both their business and broader community landscapes. The National Diversity Awards, meanwhile, is a ceremony which spotlights the achievements of grassroots communities that tackle the issues in today’s society. Voting commences for the MBCC Awards from 24th July 2024, and is open now for the National Diversity Awards.

Maria was also acknowledged as part of the Diversity Power List 2023/4 late last year, which annually names 50 of the UK’s most inclusive and inspirational people making a difference to the lives of others. Maria was listed among the likes of actress and activist Emma Watson, author and social commentator Reni Eddo-Lodge, journalist and filmmaker Stacey Dooley MBE, entrepreneur and podcaster Steven Bartlett, and actress, activist, and host Jameela Jamil.

Maria McDowell comments: "I know it's a cliché but I am so happy, hopefully this brings more attention to mentoring and the people lollipop can help. Special shout out to Publicis, The Marylebone Project and Join Our Table for being great advocates of me and lollipop mentoring"