News

Danika, a senior at the University of Michigan majoring in Business Administration, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Danika as she explores her interests, strengthens her leadership skills, and prepares for life after college. With the guidance of a mentor, she'll have the opportunity to build meaningful connections and gain new perspectives to help shape her academic and professional growth.

Dami, a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati majoring in Mechanical Engineering with minors in Mathematics and Project Management, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to connect Dami with a mentor who can help guide his academic journey and explore diverse career opportunities in engineering and project leadership. Through this mentorship, Dami will have the chance to build meaningful professional connections and receive valuable insights as he develops his technical expertise and management skills for his future career.

Akshay, a junior at San Jose State University majoring in Data Science, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're thrilled to pair Akshay with a mentor who can offer valuable insights into the dynamic IT landscape and help him explore diverse career paths including Data Science, Cyber Security, and other emerging technology fields. Through this mentorship opportunity, Akshay will gain exposure to industry best practices, learn about career trajectories in tech, and build meaningful connections with seasoned professionals who can guide his journey in the rapidly evolving world of information technology.

Kate, a sophomore at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill majoring in Business with a minor in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to connect Kate with a mentor who can provide insights into the business world and share perspectives on career opportunities in various industries. Through this mentorship, Kate will have the opportunity to expand her professional network and learn from an experienced professional in the field.

Sarah, an active CPA with diverse industry experience, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! With extensive expertise in corporate accounting and finance, including previous roles in financial controlling at major public companies like Dell Technologies and Duke Energy Corporation as well as smaller European family-owned businesses, Sarah brings invaluable knowledge in financial management and cross-industry operations. Sarah holds a bachelor's degree in Organizational Psychology and a master's degree in Accountancy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and is honored to share her wealth of practical knowledge and help guide the next generation of finance and accounting professionals.

Ryan Link, Successful Sales & Service Leader in Technical Equipment & Engineered-To-Order Solutions, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! With 27 years of experience driving revenue growth for engineered-to-order tools and assembly equipment, Ryan brings proven expertise in launching strategic sales initiatives, optimizing channel partnerships, and enhancing sales force effectiveness through disciplined sales-operations planning and sales processes. As an expert coach and mentor of high-performing teams (10-25 reps), he has improved quota attainment by up to 30% by modernizing sales force effectiveness, territory optimization and customer segmentation. Ryan's extensive background as a strong P&L manager and cross-functional collaborator skilled in CRM strategy, operational execution, and ISO-certification leadership makes him an exceptional mentor for those looking to advance their careers in technical sales and sales leadership.

Mike DePrisco, President and CEO of IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants), has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! With over 30 years of leadership experience, including his previous role as COO of Project Management Institute where he supported 2 million certification holders globally, Mike brings invaluable expertise in organizational leadership and professional development. Through this mentorship opportunity, participants will gain insights from a recognized industry leader who has been named to Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. Mike's extensive background in empowering business professionals and building global communities makes him an exceptional mentor for those looking to advance their careers in accounting, management, and organizational leadership.

Lilly, a senior at Virginia Tech majoring in Industrial Design, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to connect Lilly with a mentor who can provide insights into the design industry and share perspectives on product development and design innovation. Through this mentorship, Lilly will have the opportunity to expand her professional network and learn from an experienced professional in the field.

Jim Mentone has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in logistics, distribution, and manufacturing operations. Throughout his career, he has earned recognition for transforming operational processes, developing high-performance teams, and implementing data-driven strategies that optimize cost efficiency, service delivery, and regulatory compliance.

Jane, a junior at Georgia State University majoring in Public Relations, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to connect Jane with a mentor who can help her clarify her career path and explore various professional opportunities. Through this mentorship, Jane will have the opportunity to expand her professional network and gain valuable guidance as she navigates her academic and career decisions.

Ava, a sophomore at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill majoring in Advertising & Public Relations with a minor in Business, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to connect Ava with a mentor who can provide insights into the advertising and public relations industry and share perspectives on creative campaigns, client relations, and strategic communications. Through this mentorship, Ava will have the opportunity to expand her professional network and learn from an experienced professional in the field.

Logan, a senior at The University of Alabama majoring in Sport Management, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to connect Logan with a mentor who can provide insights into the sports industry and share perspectives on career opportunities in athletic administration, event management, and sports business. Through this mentorship, Logan will have the opportunity to expand his professional network and learn from an experienced professional in the field.