WISE Within Mentoring Program Begins with Pairing Breakfast
The journey is officially underway!
This year's participants in WISE Within, WISE's national signature mentoring program, gathered for a special breakfast at AJ's Chocolate House to kick off the program and find out who they had been paired with for the year ahead.
The annual pairing event is always a highlight, bringing together mentors and mentees for the first time in a welcoming and relaxed setting. Over breakfast, participants had the opportunity to meet one another, make new connections, and begin conversations that will grow into meaningful mentoring relationships over the coming months.
Designed to accelerate professional development, WISE Within connects WISE members in focused, one-to-one mentoring partnerships that encourage growth, leadership, and career advancement. Whether sharing career advice, navigating new opportunities, or serving as a trusted sounding board, mentors play an important role in helping mentees achieve their professional goals—while mentors also gain fresh perspectives and rewarding connections along the way.
Meet our 2026 Pairings:
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Mentor Audra Wason (Manager, Business Development at runDisney – Disney Sports) and Mentee Adrienne Lesho(Analyst, Customer Journey at NASCAR)
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Mentor Julie Kostic (Founder & CCO at JK Creative) and Mentee Amanda Yasoshima (Director, Brand Solutions & Insights at Orlando City & Pride)
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Mentor Megan Almasi (Sr. Director, Community Relations at Orlando Health) and Mentee Elizabeth Holcombe(Events & Engagement Coordinator at Orlando Magic)
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Mentor Christie Cloud (Sports Business Development Manager at ESPN Wide World of Sports) and Mentee Emma Detmer (Account Executive at Clear Channel Outdoor)
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Mentor Meghan McLean (President & CEO at Special Olympics Florida) and Mentee Rachel Anderson Ross(Marketing Director at UTR Sports)
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Mentor Kyle Sturley (at GO Sports) and Mentee Rebecca Erken (Ticket Sales Account Associate at Osceola Magic)
A big thank you to AJ's Chocolate House for hosting this year's kickoff breakfast and providing the perfect space for participants to meet, connect, and celebrate the start of their mentoring journey.
We can't wait to see how these new partnerships develop throughout the year and the impact they'll have on both our members and the WISE community. Here's to a successful year of learning, collaboration, and growth!
Stay tuned for updates as this year's WISE Within participants continue their mentoring experience.
Interested in participating next year? Keep an eye out for applications for the next WISE Within cohort and join us in building the next generation of leaders.