Celebrating the role of mentors in nurturing entrepreneurial endeavors, Wilkes University’s Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship hosted its fourth annual mentor breakfast honoring three executive mentors. The event occurred on Oct. 17 in the ballroom of the Henry Student Center.
The center offers a mentoring program for new businesses and maintains a network of advisors who offer their services on a limited pro-bono basis. In conjunction with the academic resources of Wilkes University, these business and industry leaders offer years of experience and mentorship to students and prospective start-up businesses. At the breakfast, three individuals from the community were honored for their work in the mentoring program
The executive mentor honorees include:
- Stephan Shiffman, motivational and sales training leader. He is rated as the number one sales expert in prospecting by Personal Selling Power magazine.
- Teri Ooms, executive director of the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development. Ooms is responsible for research, development and operation functions.
- Vicki Mayk, senior editor, Wilkes University Marketing Communications. Mayk supervises public relations for programs including the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. She has been a mentor to students in the program since 2015.
Two educators who conduct research with students and the center were also honored.
Summer faculty research fellow honorees include:
- Lisa Reynolds, assistant professor of integrative media at Wilkes University. Reynolds has spent nearly 20 years working in the northeast Pennsylvania market, specializing in design for education and development.
- Grace Xiao, associate professor of marketing at Wilkes University. Xiao is the chair of the marketing, sports management and hospitality leadership department in the Jay Sidhu School of Business and Leadership.
Four Wilkes University students who serve as Kirby Scholars were recognized. They are Ashley Abbey, marketing; Amrit Chandok, engineering; Ethan Schwartz, engineering; and Spencer Yacuboski, engineering.
The students undergo a rigorous selection process involving a review committee of faculty, Allan P. Kirby Center staff, and the executive-in-residence. The scholars provide services to the clients and to the Allan P. Kirby Center. In turn, they receive valuable experience in their field of study and formal recognition of their work.
