News

Kyla, a junior at Villanova University studying Management Information Sciences & Business Analytics with a minor in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to welcome her to our community as she deepens her expertise in data-driven business solutions. The Sparks team looks forward to supporting Kyla's academic journey and helping her develop the technical and analytical skills needed for future success at the intersection of business and emerging technologies!

We’re thrilled to welcome Kewanis, a senior from Louisiana State University majoring in Information Systems & Analytics, to our community! We look forward to supporting her growth in data-driven decision making and technology leadership.

Khalil, a freshman Accounting major from Villanova University, has joined the Sparks Mentorship program! We're excited to support him on his journey toward achieving his mentorship and career goals!

Jack Bahm has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor, bringing over 35 years of automotive engineering experience from his career at General Motors where he rose from various product engineering positions to Director of Engineering overseeing Chassis, Specifications, and Interior departments before retiring in May 2025. A Michigan State University (BS Mechanical Engineering, 1988) and Purdue University (MS Engineering) graduate, Jack is eager to share his extensive knowledge with mentees to help guide the next generation of engineering professionals.

Rick has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He is a seasoned cybersecurity executive with over 27 years of experience leading security strategy, risk management, and incident response. He currently serves as VP of Information Security at Centene Corporation and CISO for their North Carolina Medicaid health plan in Charlotte. Rick has worked globally as a Virtual CISO, contributed to key cybersecurity frameworks, and frequently speaks at top industry conferences.

Juan has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He is a seasoned business and finance executive with extensive experience working in multi-national environments. Skilled in accounting, finance, and strategic business leadership, with a proven track record of partnering with senior executives to drive organizational success. Began a career in public accounting before transitioning to the private sector, where responsibilities have spanned accounting and finance leadership, business improvement initiatives, corporate integrations, and general management of key business segments.

The Sparks Mentorship Program, a no-cost mentorship program for undergraduate students, is excited to introduce a brand-new tool built to help you explore your future with confidence: a powerful, AI-powered career guide that turns your interests and values into real-world career possibilities. 🎯 Here’s what it does: 👉🏻 Helps you identify your core personal values—like creativity, collaboration, or impact. 👉🏻 Guides you through choosing your preferred work type, career functions, and industries. 👉🏻 For every function + industry pair you select, it presents a list of entry-level job titles you could pursue. 👉🏻 Shows you clear, custom-written job descriptions so you can visualize what each role is really like. 👉🏻 Explains how each job aligns with the values you selected, helping you make intentional, informed choices. 👉🏻 Makes the process easy, interactive, and fully personalized to you. This tool is more than a resource—it’s a career exploration experience that starts with who you are and guides you toward where you could go. The AI was developed exclusively by Nexus Bot Foundry for the Sparks Mentorship Program from SetFire, making it a one-of-a-kind offering for students in our community. 💡 Whether you’re figuring out your direction or refining your goals, this tool helps you connect your values with real opportunities.

We're excited to welcome Terrell, a Cybersecurity and Information Systems major from Kennesaw State University, to our community! Terrell has been matched with a mentor who will support his academic journey in this critical field.

We're excited to welcome Cooper, a Human Resource Management major and sophomore at Virginia Tech, to our community! We're proud to support his academic and professional journey in the field of human resources.

We're excited to welcome Alex, a Finance and Accounting major from Central Michigan University, to our community! Alex has been matched with a mentor who will support his academic journey and professional development in corporate finance and accounting.

John Thompson has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor, bringing 25+ years of leadership experience to guide emerging business leaders. A Georgia Tech graduate who progressed from an Ingersoll-Rand sales trainee to executive roles at Sullair Corporation, IDEX, and most recently as VP & General Manager at Rhinestahl AMG, John will share his expertise in operational excellence and business growth strategies. Known for consistently driving improvements in safety, on-time delivery, and profitability throughout his career, John's practical knowledge will provide valuable insights to the next generation of manufacturing leaders.

Ivey, a freshman studying Economics & Finance at the University of Syracuse, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We’re thrilled to support her as she embarks on her journey of mentorship, growth, and future success in the world of business and finance!