I've had the chance to get to know Chardonnay ‘Char’ Scarset over the past couple of months, and I have to say, she's a total rockstar - a classic superwoman who's still figuring out just how capable she is. We've been working together to help her make the transition from military to civilian life, which has involved everything from tweaking her resume to coming up with a comprehensive job hunting strategy. It's been really fun to see her take charge of her career and start making plans for her future by calling in all the experts, including ACP.  When you’ve got a specific skills set like hers, cybersecurity, you need to know who to ask for assistance.

One thing that's really stood out to me about Char is her positive attitude and motivation - she's got a great energy about her, and she's always looking on the bright side. She's already started making plans for her next chapter (even though there are plenty of folks who say “you’re too early”!), and I'm excited to see where she ends up because there’s no time like the present to plan for the future you want. She knows that and I’m glad the initiative is clear. Through her suggestions, I've also been introduced to some cool new spots, like a great coffee shop in Fredericksburg, VA called Agora, which has been a fun bonus of our time together.

I'm looking forward to continuing to support Char as she navigates the job market - we're even going to hit up a job fair together that focuses on her background specifically, where I'll get to be her wing woman and help her show off her skills. I've got no doubt that she's going to knock it out of the park and find a job that's a new cultural fit. It's been an honor to work with her, and I'm expecting that our paths will cross again in the future - maybe even at Lockheed Martin, where I think she'd be a fantastic addition to the team.

Mentor: Leslie Wilson, Fredericksburg, VA, Lockheed Martin

Corey Wingate has exhibited exceptional dedication to the mentoring program.  We first met in May of this year to discuss entering the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom for over a decade. She knew she wanted to find a job that was remote with flexible hours but wasn’t sure where to start.

We worked together on creating a resume & LinkedIn profile from scratch, discussing the many relevant skillsets her work at home could bring to a potential employer, and interview skills. Through the ACP network, she learned about Squared Away and Freedom Makers, organizations that hire military spouses at Virtual Assistants.

Over the summer, Corey was hired by both organizations and has been working part-time as a virtual assistant for two companies. She has been receiving great feedback, and the companies have increased their utilization of her services since she has made such an impact already.

It has been a privilege to work with Corey throughout the program, and I’m looking forward to seeing how her career progresses from here.

Mentor: Danielle Spar, Berkeley Heights, NJ, Scotiabank

Kellie and I began our mentorship in October 2023. Kellie is adaptable, brilliant, companionate, and driven. She spent over a decade working within the DoD before deciding to take time to focus on family

In the year that we’ve worked together, Kellie’s continued to grow and thrive – she found employment, has been recognized by her employer receiving their company's Positive Impact Award, and she’s preparing for her PMP certification exam in December. She’s amazing and truly dedicated in all aspects of her life.

I’ve enjoyed working with Kellie this past year and continuing our mentorship and friendship beyond the one-year commitment. Thank you, Kellie!

Mentor: Stephanie Fitzsimmons, Melbourne, FL, Northrop Grumman

I am excited to nominate Jose Guiltron for ACP’s Protégé Spotlight in recognition of his unwavering dedication to the mentorship program. From the very beginning of the program, Jose demonstrated a proactive approach, consistently taking the initiative to set goals, ask insightful questions, and seek feedback on his progress monthly. His drive to grow both personally and professionally has been inspiring, in five short months not only did we completely revamp Jose's LinkedIn and professional resume, but Jose successfully interviewed and was offered a cybersecurity position for one of the largest food service and facilities services providers in the US, which provides resources in areas such as education, prisons, healthcare, business, and leisure, not to mention the company operates in 14 countries globally.

What stands out most about Jose is his commitment to building a strong mentor-mentee relationship. He approaches each conversation with thoughtful preparation, actively engages during our discussions, and is always eager to apply new insights to his career journey, Jose was prepared each and every month for our sessions. Beyond his professional development, Jose has shown genuine curiosity and a desire to learn about the IT and cybersecurity industry, and I truly feel Jose sets a great example for other participants looking to join ACP. Jose's dedication to the mentorship program has resulted in tangible achievements, whether it’s improving his IT skills, expanding his network, gaining clarity on his career path, and ultimately obtaining a role for a company that will allow Jose to grow in the industry.

I believe Jose’s journey can inspire others in the ACP community to fully commit to their own mentorships and realize the incredible potential that comes with dedication and perseverance. Jose’s consistent effort, open-mindedness, and positive attitude have not only benefited his own development but also enriched our mentoring experience. I'm very proud of Jose's accomplishments in the year that we have started meeting and truly enjoy our sessions, we will continue to stay friends well beyond the mentorship program timeframe. Great job Jose!

Mentor: Rick Paturzo, Chicago, IL, Grubhub

Erin has been a spectacular protégé through the ACP mentorship program. I am frequently astounded by how she “does it all” as a military spouse, mother, full-time student, and employee. Erin came into the program with a clear goal to successfully transition her successful education experience into a career in technology. She was already partway through her degree that would give her the formal qualifications. In our first conversation, we dove into all the different facets of what a job in “technology” might mean, talking about areas like cybersecurity, software development, project management, and more. The first few months, we focused on helping her distinguish herself from an intensely competitive application pool. She used a mixture of in-person and virtual meetings to iterate on her resume and cover letters, and we did mock interviews where she could practice telling her story. The Hiring Our Heroes program was key in also helping her connect with unique opportunities that helped filter down to companies already looking for the sort of drive and work ethic that distinguishes Erin.

It was a joy to introduce Erin to a new career. It helped me realize how much “corporate translation” is needed when reading through job descriptions and titles. There were so many opportunities initially that Erin skipped over because she assumed it would need years of experience to be considered or that it wasn’t a role that was a good fit for her. Talking through exactly what the day-to-day responsibilities would be and how greatly titles vary across companies helped her browse through and spend her job searching time more efficiently.

Erin landed a local internship opportunity, finished her degree with honors, and is now actively exploring what’s next. She has a return offer from her internship – a testament to how she continually impresses those who give her a chance on their team. Erin also has several active ongoing processes with other companies for full-time positions. Our most recent mock interview to prepare was a testament to how far she’d come. She is confident in the skills that transferred from her previous work experience, and so hungry to learn more about the new field she is in. She will be continuing to feed this curiosity by doing a master's, partially funded through a scholarship she earned with her academic honors.

And what has been the greatest gift is Erin’s friendship. Over the course of the year, our meetings were more than working sessions, we opened up to each other and shared how life was going. We learned about each other as people, she celebrated my life milestones and I listened to how her days and weeks were going. I am so excited to continue being part of “Team Erin” as she continues to find success!

Mentor: Liz Liang, Arlington, VA, Mastercard

I want to recognize Amy Hutchison for her remarkable clarity of self and purpose. She possesses a deep understanding of who she is and what she stands for, which is reflected in every decision she makes. With unwavering focus, she consistently aligns actions with values, inspiring those around her to live with intention and integrity. Her sense of direction is not just admirable but a true guiding force for others.

In addition to clarity of purpose, Amy has an extraordinary ability to connect with people from all walks of life, across professions and differences. Her open and caring interest in others and empathetic nature make her someone people are naturally drawn to. Whether in moments of success or challenge, she offers a listening ear and thoughtful insight, becoming a trusted confidant and source of support. Her capacity to relate to others, regardless of background, creates a sense of belonging and trust, and many rely on her for guidance, understanding, and encouragement.  For these and so many other reasons, Amy is a pure joy to work with and be inspired by!  

Mentor: Amy Parker, Haw River, NC, UNC Kenan-Flagler Executive Development