Cardinal Conversations connects Stanford student-athletes and alumni

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford Athletics has launched Cardinal Conversations, a year-long alumni mentorship program designed to connect current Stanford student-athletes with alumni across industries to support career development, community building, and long-term opportunity.

Cardinal Conversations is a flagship initiative within Stanford Athletics’ Career Preparedness and Alumni Mentorship program, led by Tim Bryson, inaugural Student-Athlete Career Preparedness and Alumni Mentorship Coach. Bryson is responsible for developing innovative programs and partnerships that prepare student-athletes for life after competition while strengthening their connection to Stanford's global alumni network. The program reflects Stanford Athletics’ continued commitment to developing student-athletes not only as champions, but as leaders prepared for life after competition.

The Cardinal Conversations pilot launched in the fall of 2025 during Reunion Homecoming and includes 110 mentor-mentee pairs in its inaugural year. Matches were thoughtfully designed through a combination of AI-informed tools and human insight, aligning shared interests, career goals, and lived experiences. Mentors and mentees meet quarterly throughout the academic year, with the pilot program culminating in a spring networking event that brings participants together in community.

"My work is focused on empowering our student-athletes to navigate their career journeys with confidence, grace, and joy," said Bryson. "Cardinal Conversations scales this work through alumni mentors who are also committed to helping athletes walk in their evolving purpose. This is just the beginning. We're building a career readiness program and alumni mentorship program that meets our athletes exactly where they are and prepares them for where they want to go."

The program was developed by Stanford Athletics in collaboration with the Stanford Alumni Association and strategic consultation from Stanford alumna Rebecca Mehra ’16. Mehra advised on mentorship design, alumni engagement strategy, and participant experience.

“Stanford’s unfair advantage has always been its people,” said Mehra. “The alumni network is what makes this place so special, and Cardinal Conversations puts that strength to work in a very practical way. By connecting student-athletes with alumni who understand both the demands of competition and the realities of life after sport, this program helps athletes build relationships that translate into real guidance, opportunities, and long-term impact.”

A three-time All-American at Stanford, Mehra earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a master’s degree in communication with a focus on political communication. She is currently the Director of Public Affairs at Monument Advocacy’s Seattle practice and enjoyed an eight-year professional track career.

Cardinal Conversations is housed within Stanford Athletics’ DASH Team, which centers holistic student-athlete success. A nod to the hyphen, DASH represents the connection between student and athlete. The team includes professional advisors who specialize in academic advising, student-athlete success, and well-being. DASH advisors work alongside campus partners to ensure student-athletes experience belonging, engagement, and support throughout their Stanford life cycle from recruitment and orientation to graduation and beyond.

Beyond mentorship, Stanford Athletics’ Career Preparedness and Alumni Mentorship initiatives include experiential learning opportunities, industry-based career treks, employer engagement, and partnerships that expand access to internships, research experiences, and professional pathways aligned with student-athletes’ academic and athletic pursuits.

Stanford alumni and community members interested in giving back and supporting student-athlete career preparedness and mentorship are encouraged to contact Tim Bryson at tfbryson@stanford.edu.

For more information about Cardinal Conversations and Stanford Athletics’ Career Preparedness and Alumni Mentorship efforts, visit https://gostanford.com/cardinal-conversations.