News

Eric has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor, bringing over 25 years of public and private experience across financial services, technology, and retail markets. As a Managing Director in CohnReznick's CFO Advisory Practice, Eric specializes in accounting and financial reporting with expertise in implementing accounting and system solutions for US GAAP and IFRS requirements. His experience includes formalizing financial reporting processes for mergers and consolidations, handling SEC and international filings, conducting risk assessments, and drafting financial statements with related disclosures. With his extensive background, Eric offers mentees valuable insights on navigating financial regulatory environments and developing effective accounting and reporting solutions for complex business challenges.

Lauren has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor, bringing over 20 years of experience in digital transformation, product management, and strategic leadership across multiple industries including Barings, Red Ventures, Wells Fargo, and most recently Compass Digital. Her extensive background in building teams and driving cultural leadership will benefit mentees seeking guidance in navigating digital innovation and strategic growth.

Chuks, a sophomore in Business Administration - Entrepreneurship at College of Charleston has just joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as our first College of Charleston student! We look forward to helping him reach for the stars!

We are excited to welcome Dr. Shawnee K. Vickery, a distinguished leader in supply chain management, as a member of our Advisory Board. Dr. Vickery is the Demmer Legacy Professor of Business Administration at Michigan State University and a co-founder of MSU’s MS in Supply Chain Management program. With a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina, she is a highly regarded scholar in operations strategy, supply chain integration, and health care management, earning over 15,000 citations and a ranking among the top 500 U.S. scholars in Business and Management (research.com). Her excellence in teaching and research has earned her prestigious accolades, including MSU’s William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award in 2018. Dr. Vickery’s experience and insights will bring tremendous value to our Advisory Board as we continue advancing supply chain education and industry innovation.

Iian, a freshman Finance and Data Science double major from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, has joined the Sparks Mentorship program! We're excited to support him on his journey toward achieving his mentorship and career goals!

Garrett P., a freshman Data Analytics major from the University of Tennessee Knoxville's Haslam School of Business, has joined the Sparks Mentorship program! We’re excited to support him on his journey toward achieving his mentorship and career goals!

Camden, a Senior in Business Management & Entrepreneurship at North Greenville University has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We look forward to helping him achieve his dreams!

Brad has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! As Managing Director of Forvis Mazars Executive Search, Brad brings over 28 years of experience, specializing in executive search for manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare industries. Brad is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA), with expertise in recruiting top talent in executive, finance, and accounting roles. He has also held leadership roles in organizations such as the IMA and the South Carolina Association of CPAs. We are thrilled to have Brad’s experience and leadership supporting our Sparks students!

Sean has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor, bringing extensive experience in accounting, finance, and business development. As a Sales Director with the Acclarity Group, a national CPA consulting firm, Sean focuses on driving growth for strategic accounting advisory services. His unique background includes 10 years of experience across both public and industry sectors before transitioning to business development. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with degrees in Accounting and Finance from St. Bonaventure University and a Masters in Accountancy from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Sean offers mentees valuable insights on career transitions and the intersection of financial expertise with business growth strategies.

Pam has just joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor, bringing her wealth of experience and passion for empowering emerging leaders to the initiative. Recognized with the prestigious Women MAKE Award in 2016, she has previously championed transformative initiatives like the Sealed Air Women’s Initiative Network and local workforce development programs. Pam is eager to inspire mentees to think critically, solve complex challenges, and excel in their fields.

Debbie has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! With a background in accounting and finance, she held leadership roles in global manufacturing, specializing in financial planning, audits, and tax strategy. A CPA with degrees from the University of Michigan and Walsh College, Debbie began her career at Ernst & Young before moving into corporate leadership. She is passionate about mentoring and looks forward to sharing her experiences with Sparks students.

Darin Rice has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! With 35 years of experience in the Coca-Cola system, including 30 years in people leadership roles, Darin brings expertise in supply chain strategy, project management, and capability development. His diverse background spans manufacturing, logistics, finance, and plant management, giving him a broad perspective on organizational operations and leadership. We’re thrilled to have Darin’s wealth of knowledge and mentorship supporting our Sparks students!