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Mentor Alumni
At WLI, we’re proud of the mentors who help guide and support our mentees and represent the future of leadership in our community. Coming from diverse backgrounds, each mentor brings valuable experience, perspective, and a genuine commitment to helping others learn and grow. Their dedication, insight, and willingness to invest in the next generation are at the heart of WLI’s impact.
Through their guidance, mentors help strengthen the program by fostering meaningful discussions, building strong connections, and creating a supportive learning environment. Their leadership plays a vital role in advancing WLI’s mission and empowering mentees to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact in their communities.
Owner/ Real Estate Broker - Property Peddler Inc.
Brenda Chandler
Session 3 & 6
Mentor of Cosette Woods - Red Bud HS
Mentor of (MENTEE TBD)
Owner /CEO CTS Technology Services
Kelly Ethington
Session 3 & 6
Mentor of Hailey Owens - Sparta HS
Mentor of (MENTEE TBD)
Owner /CEO CTS Technology Services
Jen Tepe
Session 5 & 6
Mentor of Rylie Meyers - Red Bud HS
Mentor of (MENTEE TBD)
Chief Administrative Officer - Red Bud Regional Hospital
Jeniffer Gregson
Session 5
Mentor of Kiersten Wegener - Red Bud HS
Administrative Officer - City of Red Bud
Jill Landgraf
Session 5
Mentor of Rylie Meyers - Red Bud HS
Chief Market Development Officer- Aetna
Sarah Landeck
Session 4 and 5
Mentor of Gabby Vause - Gibault HS and Addison Chaudet Gibault HS
Vice President of Lending - Buena Vista
Joy Prigge
Session 4
Mentor of Whitney Sulser - Chester HS
Monroe County Economic Development Director - MCEDC
Pam Poetker
Session 2, 3, and 4
Mentor of Emma Heinemann - Red Bud HS, Mentor of Jaydian Montroy - Red Bud HS
Mentor of Hailey Francis - Waterloo HS
Project Manager - Russel Co
Cassie Heller
Session 4
Mentor of Eva Kinney - Red Bud HS
Director of Marketing & Executive Assistant in Administration
Meghan Markotay
Session 4
Mentor of Presley Billingsly - Red Bud HS
Development Administrator - Hospice of Southern IL
Tina Steibel
Session 3
Mentor of Emma Carpenter - Sparta HS
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Retired - Educator
Carolyn Schwent
Session 2 and 3
Mentor of Alexandria McFadden -Sparta HS and Latrice Littlepage - Sparta HS
Executive Director - Southern Illinois Now
Dr. Deb Barnette
Session 2
Mentor of Layla Cohoon - Sparta HS
Illinois State Senator
Senator Terri Bryant
Session 2
Mentor of Ellie Grobb - Sparta HS
Retired Educator/ Owner - Market on Main
Joyce Carnahan
Session 1
Mentor of Anna Wolter - Red Bud HS
Owner - EZ Travel
Rita Sickmeyer
Session 1
Mentor of Hanna Colvis - Chester HS
Partner at Cooper Gilbreth & Doyle Law Offices
Rebecca Cooper
Session 1
Mentor of America Gutierrez-Trejo -
Business Administrator at IL DHS Chester Mental Health Center
Dainelle Powell
Session 1
Session 4 and 5