News

Aubrey, a freshman at the University of Michigan majoring in Business Administration, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Aubrey as she begins exploring her interests in sales and marketing. Through this mentorship, Aubrey will have the opportunity to connect with an experienced professional, gain valuable insights into business strategy and customer engagement, and build a foundation for future success in the dynamic world of marketing and sales.

Cierra, a senior at Louisiana State University majoring in Cybersecurity, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Cierra as she advances her expertise in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity and prepares for her transition into the professional world. With the guidance of a mentor, she’ll have the opportunity to expand her technical skills, gain industry insights, and build valuable professional connections that will help shape her future career in information security.

Rodrigo, a junior at San Jose State University majoring in Management Information Systems, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! With his strong interest in data analytics, Rodrigo is eager to connect with a mentor who can provide insights into transforming data into actionable business strategies. Through this mentorship, he’ll have the opportunity to deepen his analytical skills, explore career paths in data-driven decision-making, and build valuable professional connections to support his future success.

Jelicia, a senior at Purdue University majoring in Finance, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! With her strong academic background and career aspirations in the financial sector, we are excited to match Jelicia with a mentor who can provide valuable insights into finance, investment strategies, and professional development. Through this mentorship, Jelicia will have the opportunity to expand her professional network, refine her financial expertise, and prepare for success as she transitions into her post-graduation career.

Fnu Habibullah has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor. Currently serving as Senior Vice President at Plumlogix, a Salesforce Partner, Fnu brings over 30 years of experience spanning software engineering, digital transformation, and product development across defense, telecommunications, and industrial manufacturing sectors. Fnu spent a decade at Ingersoll Rand leading global software teams in developing IoT and embedded systems solutions—contributing to products generating over $1.8 billion in annual revenue. He also served nearly three years as a Patent Examiner at the USPTO, specializing in cryptography, computer security, and AI technologies. Earlier in his career, he designed flight simulation systems for military aircraft at Environmental Tectonics Corp, serving clients including the U.S. Air Force and international defense agencies. Holding a Master's degree in Computer Software Engineering from Kansas State University, Fnu combines deep technical expertise with strategic business leadership. Through the Sparks Mentorship Program, he will share his experience in digital transformation, global team management, cybersecurity, and embedded systems—making him an invaluable resource for students pursuing careers in software engineering, project management, and technology innovation.

Katie Pastirzyk has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor. Currently serving as a Senior Talent and Learning Specialist at Ingevity, a global manufacturer headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Katie brings specialized expertise in HR, Talent Development, and Employer Brand strategy. Since graduating from Miami University of Ohio in 2021 with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Human Resources, Katie has built her career across three global manufacturing organizations, developing deep knowledge of talent management and organizational development. Her unique combination of marketing acumen and HR expertise positions her to offer valuable insights into building meaningful careers and strong employer brands. Through the Sparks Mentorship Program, Katie will share her experience in talent management, career development, and navigating professional growth in corporate environments. Her passion for helping others discover their own career paths makes her an ideal guide for students exploring opportunities in HR, talent development, and beyond.

Anthony Burton has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor. Currently leading the Open Banking team at Truist, Anthony brings more than three years of experience with the company and a strong track record of innovation at the intersection of traditional banking and fintech. Before his current role, Anthony led Retail Open Banking at Wells Fargo, building deep expertise in driving collaboration between major financial institutions and emerging startups. His career reflects a commitment to bridging established corporate frameworks with the agility of fintechs to deliver more connected, customer-focused financial solutions. Through the Sparks Mentorship Program, Anthony will share his knowledge of open banking, financial technology, and industry leadership to help students gain insight into evolving digital finance ecosystems and inspire them to pursue careers at the forefront of innovation.

Stephanie, a seasoned human resources and talent leader, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor. With a career spanning core HR functions across employee relations, benefits administration, policy development, and talent acquisition, she brings extensive expertise in building people-centered workplace cultures and driving organizational success through strategic talent management. Currently serving as HR & Talent Partner at Ingevity, a chemical manufacturing company, Stephanie has been instrumental in supporting the organization's workforce since 2018, seamlessly transitioning from onsite leadership at the company's North Charleston, SC headquarters to remote operations based in Dallas, TX since 2020. A passionate advocate for employee development and organizational excellence, Stephanie has built her career on a strong academic foundation—holding a BS in Psychology from Northeastern University and an MS in Human Resource Management from Temple University. Through the Sparks program, she will share her expertise with students, offering guidance in human resources strategy, talent development, and workplace leadership while inspiring the next generation to build meaningful careers centered on supporting people and driving positive organizational change.

Vic Wadhawan has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor. Currently serving in Cyber Security Incident Response, Threat Hunting and Forensics at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, a leading full-service wealth management firm, Vic brings over 30 years of specialized expertise in cybersecurity leadership and risk management. A certified CISSP, CISM, and Chief Information Security Officer, Vic has built an impressive career protecting critical assets across multiple industries. His journey includes serving as Chief Security Officer at Drayer Physical Therapy Institute, where he developed comprehensive security strategies while ensuring HIPAA and PCI compliance, and a distinguished 17-year tenure at The Hershey Company leading Information Security, E-Discovery and Forensics initiatives. His technical proficiency spans Kali Linux, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and Microsoft Azure, complemented by advanced certifications in computer forensics and AI Security. Holding an Executive Certification in Information Security from Carnegie Mellon University's prestigious H. John Heinz III College and a Computer Science degree from Delhi University, Vic combines deep technical knowledge with strategic business acumen. Through the Sparks Mentorship Program, he will share his expertise in building robust cybersecurity programs, navigating complex compliance landscapes, and developing security-focused careers. His proven track record of aligning security initiatives with business objectives while mentoring high-performing teams makes him an invaluable resource for students pursuing careers in cybersecurity, risk management, and information security leadership.

Selina, a sophomore at Claremont McKenna College majoring in Economics & Philosophy with a minor in Data Science, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We’re excited to support Selina as she explores the intersections of economics, philosophy, and data-driven analysis. With the guidance of a mentor, she’ll have the opportunity to expand her professional network, gain valuable insights, and explore diverse career pathways where critical thinking meets data science.

Thayla Hairton has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor. An experienced Vice President in the food & beverage industry, Shayla brings a wealth of expertise spanning operations, consumer products, food safety, and food science. A skilled people leader and recognized subject matter expert, Shayla has built her career leading teams to deliver high-quality products and safe, innovative solutions that meet evolving consumer needs. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology-PreMed from Virginia State University, providing a strong scientific foundation for her leadership in the food & beverage sector. Through the Sparks Mentorship Program, Shayla will share her insights on leadership, industry operations, and professional growth, guiding students who aspire to careers in food science, consumer products, and related fields.

Majed, a sophomore at Villanova University majoring in Finance, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! With his strong interest in consulting, we’re excited to connect Majed with a mentor who can share valuable insights into the consulting industry and provide guidance on career opportunities in this dynamic field. Through this mentorship, Majed will have the opportunity to expand his professional network, strengthen his problem-solving skills, and gain perspectives that will help shape his future career path.