News

Avigayil, a freshman at Virginia Tech majoring in Human Development, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Avigayil as she begins her studies in this meaningful field, with aspirations to pursue a career in childcare or as a child developmental therapist. With the guidance of a mentor, she'll have the opportunity to deepen her understanding of child development principles, explore various career pathways in working with children, and build professional connections that will help her make a positive impact on young lives throughout her future career.

Tailla, a freshman at Kennesaw State University majoring in Chemistry, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Tailla as she begins her academic journey toward becoming a Materials Scientist. With the guidance of a mentor, she'll have the opportunity to explore the fascinating intersection of chemistry and materials science, build connections within the scientific community, and gain valuable insights that will help shape her path toward a successful career in materials research and development.

Mac Rinehart has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He brings a uniquely diverse background with a career marked by strategic pivots across multiple industries and disciplines. Mac's journey began with a passion for politics and public service before transitioning into software development and management information systems (MIS). After earning his MBA, he pivoted again into supply chain planning and business strategy. Throughout his career, Mac has demonstrated remarkable versatility across industries including veterinary care, MIS consulting, health insurance, food manufacturing, durable consumer goods, and apparel. This breadth of experience has given him a unique perspective on how different sectors approach common business challenges. Now as a mentor, Mac brings this wealth of cross-industry experience and strategic thinking to guide emerging professionals. His story of successful career transitions will inspire mentees to embrace change, think strategically, and recognize the interconnected nature of modern business challenges.

Jennifer Doran has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! She brings a dynamic blend of brand marketing expertise and commercial strategy, shaped by a career spanning iconic consumer brands and fast-paced business environments. Jennifer began her career in brand and channel marketing at Newell Brands, supporting innovation and strategy for the Rubbermaid Consumer brand. She went on to manage key business segments and digital marketing initiatives at Chiquita Brands, working on the Fresh Express salads portfolio and leading digital agency partnerships, social media, and product line optimization. At TTi Floorcare, Jennifer helped rebuild and lead the Shopper Marketing team for household names like Hoover, Dirt Devil, and Oreck—gaining hands-on experience across eCommerce, Commercial Strategy, and Product Development. She then joined Coca-Cola Consolidated, where she developed commercial plans for both the FSOP and Retail teams, covering grocery, mass, club, and value channels. Now at The Coca-Cola Company, Jennifer works in Franchise Operations, partnering with Coca-Cola Consolidated to execute regional programs and commercial strategies. A proud NC State graduate with a degree in Fashion & Textiles, Jennifer brings a creative edge, cross-functional expertise, and a passion for mentorship that will inspire the next generation of marketing and business professionals.

Stacy Orwan has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! She brings over three decades of expertise in supply chain management and logistics, specializing in strategic supply chain design for 25 years. Stacy spent almost 26 years with a Fortune 500 company before transitioning to engineering consulting for the past decade, applying her strategic design expertise across multiple industries and bringing cross-sector insights to complex supply chain challenges. Now as a mentor, Stacy brings this rare combination of corporate depth and consulting breadth to guide emerging professionals. Her expertise in strategic supply chain design will inspire mentees to think systematically about global logistics and recognize the strategic importance of supply chain excellence in today's business environment.

Ashley, a junior at the University of Alabama-Huntsville majoring in Business Analytics, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Ashley as she explores her diverse interests in business analytics, marketing, and general business management. With the guidance of a mentor, she'll have the opportunity to gain deeper insights into these interconnected fields, develop her analytical and strategic thinking skills, and build valuable professional connections that will help her navigate the many career paths available in today's data-driven business landscape.

Welcoming ASCM Greater NC Chapter to the SetFire Foundation Family! We're thrilled to announce that the Association of Supply Chain Management (ASCM) Greater NC Chapter has become an affiliate of SetFire Foundation! ASCM brings decades of expertise in advancing supply chain and operations management professionals, and their commitment to developing the next generation of industry leaders aligns perfectly with our mission. Through this collaboration, students in our Sparks Mentorship Program will gain access to additional mentors, while student members of ASCM Greater NC Chapter will gain access to valuable mentoring opportunities that can shape their career trajectories. These strategic affiliations are at the heart of what makes our work so impactful. By connecting with respected organizations like ASCM Greater NC Chapter, we're not just expanding our reach – we're creating meaningful bridges between academia and industry. Students discover professional associations they might never have known existed, while these vital organizations gain visibility among the emerging workforce they're designed to support. Supply chain management touches virtually every aspect of our economy, from the products we use daily to the complex logistics that keep businesses running smoothly. Having ASCM Greater NC Chapter in our network means we can better prepare students for careers in this critical field while introducing them to the professional community that will support their growth long after graduation. We look forward to the opportunities this collaboration will create and the students whose lives will be enriched through this connection. Welcome to the SetFire Foundation family, ASCM Greater NC Chapter!

Zac, a senior at University of Massachusetts Lowell majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Entrepreneurship, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Zac as he prepares for his transition into the professional world, refines his entrepreneurial vision, and builds upon his extensive academic foundation. With the guidance of a mentor, he'll have the opportunity to leverage his business expertise, expand his professional network, and gain valuable insights to help launch his post-graduation career and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Charis, a sophomore at Louisiana State University majoring in Digital Marketing, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Charis as she develops her expertise in digital marketing and prepares for her future career. With the guidance of a mentor, she'll have the opportunity to expand her professional network and gain valuable insights to help launch her career in the field.

Arrajah, a sophomore at Howard University majoring in Supply Chain Management, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Arrajah as she develops her expertise in supply chain management and prepares for her future career. With the guidance of a mentor, she'll have the opportunity to expand her professional network and gain valuable insights to help launch her career in the field.

James, a junior at Santa Clara University majoring in Business Management, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support James as he prepares for his transition into the consulting world, develops his business acumen, and builds upon his strong academic foundation. With the guidance of a mentor, he'll have the opportunity to leverage his passion for management and internal consulting, expand his professional network in consulting and HR, and gain valuable insights to help launch his career. James is particularly eager to develop his interviewing and job searching skills while making meaningful industry connections.

Connie has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! She brings over 26 years of beverage supply chain experience from her career at Coca‑Cola Consolidated. As a seasoned supply chain professional, Connie is passionate about helping others learn and navigate the industry. She looks forward to sharing practical insights and guiding the next generation of supply chain talent.