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Tuesday September 7, 2010

Release Date: 09.07.10 | Location: All Metro Atlanta | Organization: Women in Sports & Events Atlanta

Popular Mentor Program Back for Fall 2010 with W.I.S.E. and Local Chapter

WISE Within Application Deadline Extended to September 15

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ATLANTA, Ga. (Sept. 3, 2010) -- The WISE Within Mentor Program begins its fourth cycle this fall and has extended the online application process through September 15, 2010 for both mentors and mentees at WISEwithin.org.

The signature national program of (WISE) Women in Sports and Events, WISE Within is the only program of its kind for sports and events professionals outside of those offered by companies for their employees. The Atlanta Chapter is one of seven chapters participating in the program, along with Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

WISE Within launched in 2007 in New York City with 13 mentoring pairs. The program has grown steadily and nearly 140 industry professionals have participated as both mentors and mentees since its inception.

The program connects selected mid-level WISE members with senior executives in a six-month guided initiative comprised of regular one-to-one meetings and three group sessions, offering counsel and advise for the purpose of successfully meeting the mentee’s career development objectives. A detailed application for both mentors and mentees provides the selection committee with extensive information that is reviewed and used in the arduous process of finding the best possible mentor-mentee match that maximizes the experience for both parties.

“Since the inception of the WISE Within program, I’ve had the pleasure of working with bright and talented young ladies to help guide them through critical times in their professional career. The experience is not only rewarding, but it has taught me a lot as well. I have learned from my mentees and the other mentors and mentees that have been part of our program in Atlanta," said Kristi Atkins, CEO of a|i|m Marketing Solutions and current president of the WISE Atlanta Chapter.

Mentees are provided with resources and guidelines to take ownership of their career development and the mentoring relationship. It is the responsibility of the mentee to take initiative and ensure that the pair succeeds in achieving the objectives they have set forth.

Past mentors across the U.S. have included some of the most respected executives in the business — Rick Alessandri, SVP at ESPN; Marivonne Basten, SVP at IMG; Mark Beal, Managing Partner at Taylor; Karen Durkin, CEO at Women's Sports Foundation; Gail Hunter, SVP at NBA; Barbara Paddock, SVP at JPMorgan Chase; Sue Rodin, Owner of Stars & Strategies, Inc; Tori Stevens, VP at ESPN — and WISE Women of the Year honorees Donna Orender, President of the WNBA; Kathy Carter, EVP at Soccer United Marketing/MLS; Roxanne Jones, VP at ESPN Publishing and Kathleen Francis.

"The WISE Within Program is very flexible and you can work with your mentor to select what you would like work on. I received great motivation and assistance in continuing to identify what my passion is and how to pursue it as a career," said WISE Atlanta Chapter member and former mentoree Emily Jean Peterson. "The relationship with my mentor and the other participants I hope to maintain and continue learning from all of them. I would recommend it for anyone."

For an opportunity to connect with other sports and entertainment industry professionals, learn about WISE Within, join the Atlanta Chapter’s next networking event on next Tuesday, September 7. It will be held from 5:30pm – 8pm at the new Buckhead Bottle Bar. This free event is open to anyone working in the sports or sponsorship field, from those just starting out to industry veterans. Details and RSVP at http://bit.ly/SportsBizATL9.

For information on this annual program for Atlanta Chapter members, please connect with Sue Gerten, WISE Atlanta’s WISE Within Chair, at wisewithin@wiseatlanta.org.