News

Sarah, a seasoned finance and strategy leader, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor. With a career spanning leadership roles at globally recognized brands, she brings extensive expertise in driving growth, innovation, and consumer relevance. Currently serving as Director of eCommerce Revenue Growth Management at Coca-Cola, Sarah leads occasion, brand, package, price, and eCommerce channel strategies across North America, fueling both revenue and volume growth in the digital marketplace. A passionate learner and thought leader, Sarah has built her career on leveraging data-driven insights and innovative approaches to strengthen consumer connections and unlock new growth opportunities. Through the Sparks program, she will share her expertise with students, offering guidance in finance, strategy, and leadership development while inspiring the next generation to think boldly and pursue their ambitions with confidence.

Molly, a Learning and Development Program Lead at Amwins, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor. In her role supporting brokerage, she designs and delivers strategic learning experiences that empower teams to grow, perform, and lead with confidence. With deep expertise in program design, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement, Molly is known for her collaborative and outcomes-driven approach that aligns development initiatives with business goals while fostering a culture of continuous learning. Beyond her professional work, Molly is a lifelong learner and passionate career coach who finds energy in building connections and helping others thrive. Her belief in the transformative power of mentorship is also reflected in her service on the SetFire Foundation Advisory Board, where she contributes her insights to support the growth and impact of the organization. Through the Sparks program, Molly will bring her experience in leadership development and her passion for guiding others to students, equipping them with the skills and confidence to navigate their careers and achieve their full potential.

Justin, a freshman at Binghamton University majoring in Finance with a minor in Computer Science, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! With his strong interest in quantitative finance and investing, we’re excited to connect Justin with a mentor who can provide valuable insights into the world of financial modeling, investment strategies, and data-driven decision-making. Through this mentorship, Justin will have the opportunity to deepen his understanding of quantitative methods, build professional connections, and gain guidance to help shape his future career in the financial industry.

Kurt Ganzemiller, a seasoned logistics executive with nearly three decades of experience in sales and operations, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor. Currently serving as Region Vice President of Logistics for Swire Coca-Cola and based in Phoenix, Arizona, Kurt brings 29 years of leadership in Coca-Cola bottlers across the United States. His career has been primarily focused in the Midwest and, for the past seven years, in Arizona, where he has overseen large-scale operations and built high-performing teams in a fast-moving, competitive industry. Through the Sparks program, Kurt will share his expertise in logistics, operations, and organizational leadership with students, offering insight into the strategies and discipline required to succeed in complex supply chain environments.

Lori, CEO of Zen Rabbit and a nationally recognized leader in mindfulness, productivity, and workplace culture, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor. Known for her dynamic presence—whether in a boardroom, on a podcast, or delivering a keynote—Lori inspires people to rethink what success means and how to achieve it without sacrificing well-being. Through Zen Rabbit, Lori has transformed the way organizations approach culture, connection, and communication, guiding teams to thrive rather than merely survive. Her innovative work with internal company podcasts and corporate workshops has revolutionized how businesses engage their employees, while her own adventurous spirit—whether climbing rock walls or exploring new cities as a digital nomad—underscores her belief that resilience is more than a mindset, it’s a daily practice. As a Sparks mentor, Lori brings her no-nonsense approach, humor, and unapologetically authentic style to students, sharing lessons in leadership, resilience, and personal growth. With a soundtrack of classic rock and a commitment to helping others reach their highest potential, she will empower Sparks mentees to work hard, live well, and carry their own great playlist into every stage of life.

Jackie, a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Finance & International Studies, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We’re excited to support Jackie as he develops his global business perspective and prepares for future opportunities at the intersection of finance and international affairs. Through mentorship, Jackie will have the chance to expand his professional network, gain insights from industry leaders, and build the skills needed for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

Le'on, a junior at Loyola Marymount University majoring in Computer Science, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! With his strong interest in software development, we’re excited to connect Le'on with a mentor who can share industry insights, provide guidance on technical skill-building, and help him explore career opportunities in the ever-evolving world of technology. Through this mentorship, Le'on will have the chance to expand his professional network, deepen his programming expertise, and prepare for future success in software development.

Sabrina, a sophomore at California State University–San Bernardino majoring in Child Development, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! With her aspiration to become a pediatric nurse, we’re excited to support Sabrina as she blends her passion for child development with her future in healthcare. Through the guidance of a mentor, she’ll have the opportunity to explore the intersections of child development and pediatric care, gain valuable insights into the medical field, and build meaningful connections that will help shape her journey toward a rewarding career in nursing.

James, a dedicated community leader with a strong background in youth mentorship and coaching, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a degree in Political Science, James balanced the demands of being a student athlete while pursuing his academic goals, and his experience in youth sports coaching and community volunteering sparked a lifelong commitment to mentoring young people and helping them navigate their future paths. Throughout his career, James has built lasting relationships with the youth he has mentored and coached, earning recognition for his ability to inspire others and guide them toward achieving their life goals. His former service on the SetFire Advisory Board reflects his deep belief in making unique contributions to society and his unwavering commitment to service. Through the Sparks program, James will share his expertise in leadership development and personal growth with students, offering guidance rooted in his passion for seeing others succeed and reach their full potential.

Eric, a sophomore at Rutgers University–New Brunswick majoring in Finance, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! With his interest in private credit, we’re excited to connect Eric with a mentor who can provide insights into this dynamic area of finance. Through this mentorship, Eric will have the opportunity to deepen his understanding of private markets, build valuable professional connections, and gain guidance to help shape his academic and career journey.

James Tilk, a dynamic executive with a proven record of driving revenue growth and leading organizational change, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor. James brings a diverse skillset that spans strategy, finance, technology, and operations. With extensive experience in product and industry marketing, go-to-market strategy, demand generation, presales engineering, and solution architecture, he has consistently delivered results by understanding customer pain points and providing impactful solutions. His leadership background includes global board service with business oversight, mergers and acquisitions, project management, and expertise in financial and managerial accounting. James also brings deep technical knowledge in SAP, Oracle, Intacct, SaaS platforms, and compliance frameworks under GAAP and IFRS. Through the Sparks program, James will mentor students on navigating complex business environments, equipping them with insights into building strategy, driving sales, and aligning organizational strengths for sustained success.

Kiely, a senior at North Carolina A&T majoring in Management with a concentration in Business Administration, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We’re excited to support Kiely as she prepares for her transition into the professional world, builds on her leadership skills, and explores future career opportunities. With the guidance of a mentor, she’ll have the opportunity to expand her professional network, gain valuable industry insights, and position herself for success after graduation.