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Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit 

Table of Contents 

Index .................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose ............................................................................................................... 2

Fact Sheet ...................................................................................................... 3

EWIM Planning Documents ............................................................................. 5-8

• Roles 

• Planning Checklist 

EWIM Phase I Template Documents ............................................................. 9-16

• Recruitment and Confirmation Messages for SES Flash Mentors

• Agenda/Announcement 

• SES Roundtable Questions

• Senior Executives’ Words of Wisdom

• Resource Bookmark

EWIM Phase II Template Documents .............................................................. 17-21

• Recruitment Messages for SES Flash Mentors

• Agenda/Announcement

• SES Roundtable Questions

Tips for Successful EWIM In-Person or Virtual Sessions................................ 22-23

OPM EWIM Team Contact Information .......................................................... 24 
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Purpose

This toolkit provides guidance for hosting Executive Women in Motion (EWIM) sessions with the intent to 

strengthen and increase interest and application to the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service

(SES). 

The EWIM program is a leadership education and recruitment strategy implemented by OPM in 2014.* 

EWIM’s purpose supports: 1) the White House Initiative, Equal Futures Partnership (see: 

https://www.equal-futures.org/members; https://2009-2017.state.gov/s/gwi/equalfutures/index.htm) and 

2) encourages senior employees, male and female, with leadership potential to pursue a career path in the 

SES. 

Across the Nation, Federal employees and agencies value the EWIM program as a resource in preparing for 

leadership roles. Institutionalizing EWIM as a strategic workforce strategy is an ongoing process for Federal 

agencies and Federal Executive Board (FEB) communities. EWIM is a training tool for building leadership in 

the Federal Government. 

The toolkit provides the following: 

• Background information 

• Roles for host agency and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 

• Planning checklist 

• Sample SES mentor recruitment messages, agendas, announcements, and OPM resources for EWIM 

Phase I or II sessions 

* As of June 2021, OPM EHRI data states a total 8,025 SES members: 63 percent male (5,055) and 37 percent female 

(2,970). 

Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit 
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Fact Sheet 

EWIM’s mission is to promote the advancement of women and men in the SES through interagency 

mentoring, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing. 

EWIM objectives: 

• Motivate Federal women and men to enter the SES

• Expand the EWIM program and institutionalize it as a Governmentwide training tool 

• Increase leadership capacity and build a pipeline of potential leaders for the 21st Century Workforce

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. Why did OPM develop the program? 

A. Building workforce leaders of the 21st Century is critical to the future of the Federal Government. 

Leadership development, succession planning, and knowledge transfer using mentoring as a tool is critical 

to workforce development. 

OPM provides guidance to Federal agencies under the authority of 5 U.S.C. chapter 41, E.O. 11348, and 5 

CFR 410.203, to ensure organizations have the guidance and tools necessary to close skills gaps and 

develop leaders for government. A diverse leadership comprised of men and women with vision, 

commitment to the mission, experience, and understanding the complex systems that define our Country’s

laws, regulations, and mode of operation is essential. 

Q. What are the components of an EWIM event? 

A. Each EWIM session is a full day that includes a local SES keynote speaker, OPM Executive Core 

Qualification (ECQ) presentation, flash mentoring with SES mentors, and networking. The session targets 

Federal employees at the GS 13-15 grade levels. Session objectives: 

• Provide an overview of the SES hiring process and the role of the Qualification Review Board 

• Provide further insight into the ECQs and how they relate to the SES 

• Promote and encourage interagency collaborations and networking 

Q. How is the success of the EWIM session measured? 

A. Each session ends with participants completing an onsite survey. In addition, OPM sends a Level III 

survey to participants who attended an EWIM event; participants receive the survey six months to a year 

after attending the session. 

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Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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Q. Where have EWIM sessions taken place?

A. EWIM events have been hosted by FEBs in the following locations: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago,

Cleveland, Colorado, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Newark, Philadelphia,

San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, and St. Louis. EWIM events have also occurred in Washington, DC,

with the following host agencies: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Education,

Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, National Institutes of Health, Nuclear Regulatory

Commission, United States Census Bureau, United States Office of Personnel Management, and the White

House. Participants have overwhelmingly provided positive feedback on their experience, and survey

results indicate participants would recommend EWIM events to their colleagues.

Q. What is the cost to host or attend an EWIM session?

A. There is no registration fee to attend EWIM events. Employees should obtain supervisory approval to

attend the training.
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Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit

Planning Documents
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Roles 

Host Agency

• Contact OPM about hosting an EWIM session

• Identify project manager for the event

• Determine support team

• Reserve venue

• Recruit/confirm SES mentors

• Recruit/confirm SES keynote speaker

• Identify session moderator

• Locate Human Resource personnel or Train-the-Trainer for ECQ presentation

• Provide OPM with scanned copy of EWIM check-in list (name, email address, agency) and completed

onsite surveys

OPM 

• Serve as consultant, as appropriate, on how to organize the session, locate presenters & mentors, and

respond to inquiries.

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Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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Planning Checklist 

Preparation 

❑ Conduct weekly planning meetings 

❑ Secure venue; setup schematic of round tables to sit 6-8 people (or two 6-foot tables to form a pod) 

❑ Review security clearance for building entrance 

❑ Identify and confirm SES keynote speaker(s)

❑ Identify and confirm SES flash mentors (not GS-15s or SL/STs), including political appointees (ideal 

mentor/mentee ratio: 1-6) 

❑ Obtain mentor’s title, agency, years in the SES, and words of wisdom (100 characters) 

❑ Conduct orientation session for SES mentors (one week prior to session) 

❑ Identify moderator(s) for the day 

❑ Print agenda and onsite surveys; agenda should include: mentor’s title, agency, years in the SES, and 

words of wisdom 

❑ Obtain drawing tickets and identify items for giveaway (e.g., leadership books, portfolio, ink pen, etc.) 

❑ Recruit mentees using electronic registration and provide registration list with emails to OPM 

On Site

❑ Set up tables/room schematic one day in advance (if possible) 

❑ Registration table for participants and mentors to sign-in (provide participants with pre-numbered 

table assignments, distribute randomly) 

❑ Extra laptop for presentation (load presentations in advance of session) 

❑ Equipment check: Portable microphone and/or lavaliere microphones 

Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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Session End

❑ Provide each participant a bookmark for returning a completed survey 

❑ Mentor thank you letters/certificates (provided onsite) 

❑ Photograph of SES mentors (identify and secure a photographer) 

❑ Scan completed onsite surveys and send to OPM 

❑ After Action Review of event with OPM 

❑ What worked well 

❑ What needs improvement 

❑ Best practices and lessons learned 

Materials 

❑ Name tags for team members hosting the event (e.g., host sponsor, FEB, agency point of contact) 

❑ Pre-printed tent cards for mentors 

❑ Tent cards for participants (assign table numbers at registration sign-in) 

❑ Markers or ink pens 

❑ Thank you letters/certificates for mentors and keynote speaker 

❑ Letter holder folders for mentor and keynote speaker thank you letters 

❑ Table décor; such as tablecloths, centerpieces, table numbers (optional) 

❑ Tickets or business cards for giveaway drawing (optional) 

❑ Leadership books for giveaway items (optional) 

❑ Bookmarks for survey completion (optional) 

Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit

Phase I Documents
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Recruitment Message for SES Flash Mentors 

The XXXXX invites you to participate in an upcoming XXXXX session as a Senior Executive Service (SES) 

flash mentor. 

Title: Executive Women in Motion: Pathways to the Senior Executive Service 

Where: XXXXX 

When: XXXXX. Please arrive 30 minutes prior for check-in. 

Goal: To inspire Federal employees towards Senior Executive Service career paths. 

Agenda: Keynote Address, Roundtable Discussions – Groups will participate in two to three 30-minute 

discussions (or rounds) where mentors and participants (one or two mentors with 6-8 participants) engage 

in interactive dialogue. 

If you are able to join us, please confirm your attendance to XXXXX (email address) and include the 

following by XXXXX (date): 

• Name, Title, Agency, Years in the SES, Words of Wisdom (limit to 100 characters)

We will also host a brief informational conference call on XXXXX and we will forward a calendar request. 

We thank you in advance for your willingness to participate in this event and contributing to the 

professional development of Federal employees who are interested in the SES. 

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Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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Confirmation Message for Senior Executive Service (SES) Flash Mentors 

Dear XXXXX: 

Thank you for your willingness to participate in the upcoming mentoring session, “XXXXX.” This email is to 

confirm your participation as a mentor for this event. 

The event will occur on XXXXX at the XXXXX. We ask that you arrive 30 minutes early. We will provide an 

agenda, and questions for you to consider when sharing your personal career experience and for your 

mentoring table discussions. 

In preparation for this event, we request the following by XXXXX: 

• Name, Title, Agency, Years in the SES, Words of Wisdom (limit to 100 characters)

Also, we will host a brief orientation prior to the event on XXXXX (date) at XXXXX (time). We will provide 

the teleconference number for the orientation soon. Again, we appreciate you taking the time to 

participate in this event and contributing to the professional development of Federal employees who are 

interested in the SES. 

During the flash mentoring sessions, we will ask you to rotate clockwise to at least 3 or 4 tables. Below are 

potential questions for roundtable mentoring sessions: 

• What was your career path towards the SES?

• Who were the key leaders or mentors that played a role on your SES journey?

• What obstacles or challenges did you encounter along the way, and how did you overcome them?

• What should a new SES member expect in level of pay and work requirements?

• How do I inspire other employees to move towards the SES?

• What is the value or reward in being a member of the SES?

Please let XXXXX know if you need any assistance. XXXXX can be reached via email at XXXXX or by 

telephone at XXXXX.

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Agenda 

9:30am*: Welcome and Opening Remarks (Moderator)

9:50am-10:30am: A Mentor’s Journey (SES Keynote Speaker - provide three takeaway points)

10:30am-12:00pm: Overview of the Executive Core Qualifications: Preparing for the Senior Executive 

Service (Human Resources Expert or local Train-the-Trainer)

12:00pm-1:15pm: Lunch

1:30pm: Introduction of SES Mentors (Moderator)

1:45pm-3:30pm: Flash Mentoring Rounds; Mentors move clockwise to new tables (Moderator monitors 

time for each round and signals when mentors should move to the next table)

3:30pm-4:00pm: Closing Remarks (Moderator)

4:00pm: Networking

*May adjust start time to 9:00am

Announcement 

Title: XXXXX

Time: XXXXX 

Date: XXXXX

Target Audience: GS-13 to GS-15 (or equivalent) 

 Objectives:

• Motivate Federal employees towards attaining opportunities in the SES

• Provide SES qualifications training and flash/situational mentoring with successful/inspiring SES

women and men

• Facilitate interagency collaboration and networking

• Promote career growth and development

Featured speakers will include successful and inspiring local Federal executives, who will share their 

personal career experiences in becoming members of the SES and offer mentoring to those in attendance. 

Activities: Presentations, Table Discussions, Mentoring, Networking 

Registration Link: XXXXX 

Executives in Motion (EWIM): 

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SES Roundtable Questions for Flash Mentoring Sessions 

• Who were the key leaders or mentors that played a role in your SES journey?

• What obstacles or challenges did you encounter along the way, and how did you overcome them?

• How do I keep myself inspired towards attaining an SES career?

• How do I inspire others to move towards the SES?

• What should a new SES member expect in level of pay and work requirements?

While sharing your personal career experiences, you may wish to consider the following questions: 

• What was your career path to becoming an executive?

• What is the value or reward in being a member of the SES?

Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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Sample Senior Executives’ Words of Wisdom 

As members of the Senior Executive Service, we have gleaned sound advice from our own mentors and 

leaders that positively serve us in our careers. 

Below are a few of these “words of wisdom” that we’d like to leave with you...

• “Walk humbly!”

• “Be thankful for the important role that you have.”

• “Invest in people.”

• “Find yourself! Believe in yourself! Reach for the sky!”

• “Remember that to whom is given, much is required.”

• “Learn something new each day and endeavor to come back better, more skilled and more

encouraged the next day.”

• “Nice Matters!”

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Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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Resources 

OPM Policy Guides

• OPM Executive Development Best Practices Guide

• OPM Training and Development - Leadership Development

• OPM Proficiency Levels for Leadership Competencies

• Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications

• Senior Executive Service

• Executive Core Qualifications

OPM Websites

• http://www.opm.gov

• https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/executive-core-qualifications/

• https://www.opm.gov/services-for-agencies/assessment-evaluation/leadership-assessments/

o Leadership Competency Assessment

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Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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Onsite Survey*

Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit

Please indicate the primary reason(s) you participated in this session:

❑ To increase my leadership capacity (i.e., experience, ability) 

❑ To increase my knowledge of the Senior Executive Service (SES) 

❑ To participate in a flash mentoring session 

❑ To network with SES members 

❑ All of the above 

❑ Other, please explain ________________________________

Statement Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly 

Disagree

This event increased 

my interest in the 

Senior Executive 

Service (SES).

The keynote speech 

was helpful.

The SES 

presentation was 

useful.

I would recommend 

this event to others.

What aspects did you enjoy most about the session? ______________________________________________

How do you plan to use the information shared today? ____________________________________________

What improvements would you suggest for our next session? _______________________________________

*OPM will provide electronic survey
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Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit

Phase II Documents
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Continuing the Pathways to the Senior Executive Service 

Synopsis

A half-day session of mentoring roundtable sessions with local SES leaders on the five ECQs, informationsharing, and reflection activities (e.g. mind mapping). Participants will identify next steps, set goals, and 

begin harnessing their professional network. 

Objectives

• Increase awareness about their career, career path, and trajectory 

• Identify competencies, experiences, and exposure needed to develop, establish, and/or hone 

• Understand the power of mindset 

• Begin to manifest a desired future 

• Leverage and expand their professional network 

Executive Women in Motion (EWIM):

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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Recruitment Message for SES Flash Mentors

Good Morning, XXXXX: 

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the XXXXX Federal Executive Board are partnering again to 

host an Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): Pathways to the Senior Executive Service session. This session 

is EWIM Phase II and will focus on the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and the qualifications necessary 

to pursue a Senior Executive Service (SES) position. We invite you to participate as a mentor who would 

address 6-8 mentees on one specific ECQ during the flash/group mentoring roundtable sessions. 

The target audience is previous EWIM Phase I mentees (GS-13 through GS-15) who now wish to gain 

additional knowledge on the qualification requirements and competencies necessary for an SES career. 

EWIM Phase II will cover all five ECQs: 1) Leading Change, 2) Leading People, 3) Results Driven, 4) Business 

Acumen, and 5) Building Coalitions. Each mentor will focus on one specific ECQ during the roundtable 

discussions. 

The EWIM session (9:00am–12:00pm) includes a keynote speaker, short video on ECQs, and an exercise on 

career planning. We welcome your participation as a mentor for EWIM Phase II. Please identify which 

ECQ(s) you will discuss as the topic during the flash/group mentoring roundtable sessions. An orientation 

for mentors on (Date: XXXXX) will provide additional information on the agenda and expectations for the 

session. 

Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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Agenda 

8:30am: Welcome and Opening Remarks 

8:45am: A Mentor’s Journey (SES Keynote - focus on ECQ development) 

9:15am: Mind Mapping Activity (Human Resources, Executive Resource Staff, or local Train-the-Trainer) 

10:30am-12:00pm: Flash Mentoring (ECQ rounds); mentors or mentees can move to new tables between 

rounds 

Announcement 

You are invited to Executive Women in Motion: Continuing the Pathways to the Senior Executive Service 

(SES) 

Date: XXXXX 

Time: XXXXX 

Audience: Prior Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): Pathways to the Senior Executive Service attendees 

and those focused on obtaining a SES position 

Location: XXXXX 

Before attending the session: 

• Please watch the recorded video on SES and the ECQ's: http://youtu.be/yV4liC82YZ4

• Review attached ECQ Narrative Checklist and Experience Framework

• To register, please RSVP at XXXXX

• Priority will be given to previous EWIM attendee 

• A detailed agenda will be sent to confirmed registrants 

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Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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SES Roundtable Questions for Flash Mentoring Sessions 

Leading Change 

• How do you deal with unexpected organization changes/obstacles (to internal or external 

pressure)? 

• Talk about results you achieved that were significant and impacted your organization or agency. 

• What steps have you taken as an Executive to transcend vision into action? 

• What challenges have you encountered with change? 

Leading People

• What are the challenges in leading a large staff? 

• How did you overcome challenges to achieve agency mission goals? 

• Describe actions you have taken to leverage diversity in your organization? 

• Talk about steps you have taken to motivate staff suffering from low morale. 

Results Driven

• Give examples of strategies necessary to set priorities and objectives that lead to high quality and 

quantifiable results. 

• Describe problems and solutions implemented to improve products. 

• Talk about your interactions with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities that 

build the organization. 

Business Acumen

• Discuss the level of experience necessary to create and administer budgets and resources in an 

organization. 

• Describe challenges you encountered with budgets and the resolutions selected.

• Talk about your organization’s use of technology to create or improve programs. 

• Share information on the depth and scope of knowledge necessary to work with a multi-sector 

workforce and achieve measurable productivity. 

Building Coalitions 

• How did you build coalitions with internal/external groups to achieve a goal? 

• Describe strategies important in building alliances. 

• Talk about challenges in bringing groups together and meeting stakeholder’s expectations.

• Share some significant outcomes as a result of your actions to build coalitions. 

Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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Tips for Successful EWIM In-Person or Virtual Sessions 

• Planning is the key to success

o Recruit and confirm SES Mentors at least one month in advance

o The number of SES Mentors will determine mentor-mentee ratio or number of attendees

o Contact OPM’s SES Performance Management group for ECQ/QRB presentation

▪ SESDevelopment@opm.gov

▪ 202-606-2720

▪ SESPM Office

▪ SESPolicy@opm.gov

▪ 202-606-8046

o Market the event at least one month in advance of the event date

▪ Eventbrite has registration and communication features

• Determine the setting for the EWIM session (in-person or virtual)

o In-person session

▪ Location

▪ Room capacity

▪ Date/Time

o Host a virtual session

▪ Select the web platform

▪ Adobe Connect, MS Teams, WebEx, or Zoom

▪ Web Platform capacity

▪ Date/Time

▪ Identify technical support team

▪ Provide a separate phone line for individuals who may encounter fire wall restrictions

with web platform; consider a live operator assisted phone line to unmute phone

lines for questions during the event

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Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit
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• Use Polls during the event to capture immediate feedback from audience. 

• Use an online survey platform such as Survey Monkey for overall assessment of the EWIM session 

o Post the web survey link during the session to allow participants to complete the survey 

(e.g., note section on screen and provide verbal reminders during the event) 

• Remember to send a copy of the overall survey results and registration lists to 

GWmentoring@opm.gov 

Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service 

Toolkit
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OPM EWIM Team

GWmentoring@opm.gov

202-606-0913 

U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 

Federal Mentoring Resources 

Cultivating the Future of Government

Executive Women in Motion (EWIM): 

Pathways to the Senior Executive Service Toolkit