WILD Mentorship Program Announces New Program Chairs!
program leaders:
Abigael Hutchinson – Regional Sales Manager, West Coast, Klik USA
Kacie Stigliano, Business Development Representative, illuminico
“Alongside my wonderful co-chair Kacie Stigliano and all of our committee members, I am so excited to take on the continued growth of the WILD Mentorship Program. Providing opportunities for women to find a supportive environment where they can conquer goals and overcome challenges with the backing of other talented and hardworking allies in the lighting community only allows our industry to grow to it’s fullest potential. It is with this idea in mind that I take the torch passed from the incredible lead of Sara Schonour and Sarah Richter.”
Abigael Hutchinson
WILD Mentorship Program Applications reach 100!
The peer-to-peer WILD Mentorship Program, free and open to all members of WILD, accepts applications in October 2025 for a 6 month cycle (January 2026 to June 2026).
WILD Outgoing Program Leaders – Thank you for your valuable service
program leaders:
Sara Schonour and Sarah Richter
For more information on the program and its initial successes read the LD+A article by our Mentorship Program Chairs.
WILD Mentorship Peer to Peer Details
Curious about the peer-to-peer model?
“WILD Mentorship Builds Momentum“
“Connecting Peer-to-Peer.”
WILD Mentorship Program
- Opportunity to both participate and lead in peer-to-peer cohort mentorship group style.
- Participate at a deeper level by applying to be a group liaison.
- Help build the WILD Mentorship Program by building on the success from the first round; the ONLY lighting-centric Mentorship Program offered at a national level.
- Emerging-Professional and Student Focused Groups available
- Fireside Chats + Professional Development Speaker Opportunities
It’s been such a rewarding experience connecting with inspiring women, growing both personally and professionally, and building meaningful relationships. Grateful to be part of a community that uplifts, supports, and empowers each other!
—Lily Willis, MBA
Senior Marketing Manager at Acuity Brands | Brand & Product Marketing
For more information on the program and its initial successes read the LD+A article by our Mentorship Program Chairs.
mission
The mission of the WILD Mentorship Program is to connect women – at all stages in their lighting careers – to learn from each other through structured mentoring, with the goals of fostering growth, enriching their professional experience, encouraging industry retainment, reinforcing and expanding networks, and accelerating advancement to the highest levels of leadership in lighting companies.
vision
The vision for the WILD Mentorship Program is a richly diverse, evolving community of participants from varied lighting professions who are committed to the WILD Mentorship Program, actively contributing to robust, ever-improving program content, and fostering a safe, inclusive, and non-competitive atmosphere where women can learn, share, and grow. Participants excel in their careers and involve as many women as possible to benefit from the program’s offerings.
The goal of the WILD Mentorship Program is to connect women at all stages of their lighting careers, encourage leadership and support within the community, and create a safe space for WILD Members to share their experiences and learn from one another. The program will be small, peer-to-peer style groups, where all participants will take on both mentor and mentee roles to foster growth and expand networks.