News

Frank, a senior at Davidson College majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Communications, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to connect Frank with a mentor who can provide insights into the computer science industry and share perspectives on career paths in technology. Through this mentorship, Frank will have the opportunity to expand his professional network and learn from an experienced professional.

Brinley, a senior at University of North Carolina-Charlotte majoring in Operations & Supply Chain Management with a minor in Information Systems, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We are excited to connect Brinley with a mentor who can provide valuable industry insights and help her navigate her final year and transition into her professional career. Through this mentorship opportunity, Brinley will gain valuable industry knowledge, develop professional connections, and receive guidance on positioning herself for success as she prepares to graduate and launch her career in operations, supply chain management, and information systems.

Chad has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He brings over 25 years of expertise in cybersecurity and IT leadership, with a unique superpower of building secure, resilient organizations while driving cross-functional collaboration that aligns security programs with business objectives. His diverse industry experience spans higher education to healthcare and now the beverage industry, where he currently serves as Senior Director of Information Security at Coca-Cola Consolidated. Throughout his career, Chad has led responses to major cyber incidents, modernized IT governance, and implemented secure cloud environments for sensitive research and healthcare data. With top industry certifications including CISSP and CISM, Chad is recognized for his strategic vision and operational excellence - making him an invaluable addition to the mentorship program.

Mike has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He brings over 25 years of IT industry expertise as Vice President of Information Technology Services at East Penn Manufacturing Co. With a bachelor's degree in computer information systems from Alvernia University and certifications in Microsoft, Cisco, and Security disciplines, Mike has extensive experience spanning infrastructure management, cybersecurity, data center operations, and enterprise IT strategy. At East Penn, he leads critical initiatives driving innovation, operational resilience, and digital transformation while shaping IT leadership roadmaps and overseeing risk management, security, and organizational value creation. Mike also plays a key role in incident response planning and strategic project evaluations. As a mentor, he's passionate about guiding others through the early stages of their careers - whether offering career path guidance, connecting mentees with industry contacts, or serving as a trusted sounding board. His belief in the power of shared experience makes him an exceptional addition to the mentorship program.

Anjanette, a junior at LeMoyne-Owen College studying Computer Science, has been welcomed into the Sparks Mentorship Program! As she advances through her technical coursework, Anjanette will be paired with an experienced professional who can share real-world perspectives on software development, emerging technologies, and the tech industry landscape. This mentorship will support her as she builds her programming skills, explores specialization areas, and prepares for internships that could shape her future career path in technology.

Molly, a senior at The University of Alabama majoring in Communication Studies and Public Relations, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We are excited to connect Molly with a mentor who can provide valuable industry insights and help her navigate her final year and transition into her professional career. Through this mentorship opportunity, Molly will gain valuable industry knowledge, develop professional connections, and receive guidance on positioning herself for success as she prepares to graduate and launch her career in communications and public relations.

Braden, a junior at UNC Charlotte majoring in Accounting with a minor in Economics, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! With his aspiration to become a CPA, we are excited to connect Braden with a mentor who can provide valuable industry insights and help him navigate his academic and career journey. Through this mentorship opportunity, Braden will gain valuable industry knowledge, develop professional connections, and receive guidance on positioning himself for success in the accounting field as he continues his studies and prepares for future internship and career opportunities.

Sonja has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! She brings over 20 years of expertise in change management, corporate communications, employee engagement, and organizational culture, with a unique superpower of making complex change feel human, doable, and inspiring. Her diverse industry experience spans global transportation to chemical manufacturing, and she most recently led internal communications, change, and belonging strategy at a global packaging company. Today, Sonja channels this extensive expertise through her own consultancy, Verve Consulting LLC. Additionally, Sonja serves on the SetFire Board of Directors and Advisory Board, further demonstrating her commitment to meaningful organizational impact - making her an invaluable addition to the mentorship program.

Christine, a junior at San Jose State University majoring in Business Administration and Business Analytics, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We are excited to connect Christine with a mentor who can provide valuable industry insights and help her navigate her academic and career journey. Through this mentorship opportunity, Christine will gain valuable industry knowledge, develop professional connections, and receive guidance on positioning herself for success as she continues her studies and prepares for future internship and career opportunities in business administration and analytics.

Andrew, a freshman at University of Virginia majoring in Commerce, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We are excited to connect Andrew with a mentor who can provide valuable industry insights and help him navigate his academic and career journey. Through this mentorship opportunity, Andrew will gain valuable industry knowledge, develop professional connections, and receive guidance on positioning himself for success as he continues his studies and prepares for future internship and career opportunities.

Ted Scaffidi has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He brings over 30 years of expertise in communications and leadership development, with a unique superpower of building strong professional relationships while guiding individuals through strategic career planning and corporate culture navigation. His diverse experience spans both communications and IT sectors, giving him a well-rounded perspective on modern business challenges. Throughout his career, Ted has specialized in helping professionals achieve their career goals through focused leadership development initiatives. Known for his exceptional listening skills and commitment to fostering growth, Ted believes that strong relationships are the foundation of successful mentoring. His combination of decades of cross-industry experience and genuine passion for helping others develop makes him an invaluable addition to the mentorship program.

Saketh, a sophomore at Georgia State University majoring in Finance, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! With his keen interest in investment banking and real estate, we are excited to connect Saketh with a mentor who can provide insights into these dynamic sectors and help him navigate his academic and career journey. Through this mentorship opportunity, Saketh will gain valuable industry knowledge, develop professional connections, and receive guidance on positioning himself for success in investment banking and real estate as he continues his studies and prepares for future internship and career opportunities.