How We Chose the 2024 ADPList100

See the full 2024's ADPList100 Most Influential Mentors

The ADPList100 recognizes mentors in the ADPList community. This post explains how the 2024 list was chosen.

A Dynamic Approach to Recognition

Unlike static “top lists” driven solely by popularity metrics, the ADPList100 evaluates mentors through a holistic lens. Inspired by frameworks like the TIME100 list, which prioritizes innovation, leadership, and measurable impact in the world, we’ve tailored our criteria to reflect the unique dynamics of mentorship:

1. Community-Driven Nominations: Nominations came from ADPList members, highlighting mentors who transformed careers, sparked pivots, or provided critical guidance during challenging transitions.
2. Quantifiable Impact: Mentorship minutes logged, session completion rates, and post-session career advancements (e.g., promotions, certifications) were analyzed to identify mentors delivering tangible outcomes. For current platform figures, see adplist.org/stats.
   1. Positive ratings and world-class positive sentiments
3. Innovation in Mentorship: Honorees were evaluated on novel approaches, such as:
   1. Hosting open-invitation “office hours” for marginalized groups
   2. Creating free upskilling resources (e.g., UX design playbooks, salary negotiation templates)
   3. Leveraging AI tools to scale personalized guidance without sacrificing human connection

Phase 1: Nominations and Community Validation

The process began with open nominations, mirroring Mine’s approach to crowdsourcing insights for their Top DPOs list. However, we added a layer of validation:

• Peer Reviews: Mentors could endorse nominees.
• Member Testimonials: Anonymous feedback from mentees was part of the scoring criteria.

Phase 2: Impact Metrics and Editorial Review

A cross-functional team analyzed:

• Session Depth: Average session duration, follow-up frequency, and mentee retention rates.
• Career Outcomes: Tracked via opt-in surveys.
• Thought Leadership: Keynotes, published guides, and media contributions.

Representing Different Fields

Sector-Specific Needs: Emerging fields like generative AI required dedicated representation.

See the full 2024's ADPList100 Most Influential Mentors

To the mentors recognized in the 2024 roster: Thank you for lighting the path.