Description

It’s proven that mentoring enhances leadership skills and accelerates careers; but how do you find the right mentor, how do you get started and how do you build a mentoring relationship that helps you capitalize on the benefits of mentoring? This session will provide valuable insights and best practices for being a mentee. A four-step process to help you find a mentor and initiate a mentoring relationship that’s as individual as you are will be discussed.

Speaker

• 

  Kathy Jo Van

  Van grew up in the electrical industry, working after school in her family’s electrical distributor business in Owensboro, Kentucky.  After graduating from The University of Notre Dame and earning her graduate degree at Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Van moved back to Kentucky to re-join her family’s business.  In 1993 she returned to Chicago, to join a large regional electrical distributor that was eventually acquired by WESCO Distribution and she served a variety of roles with WESCO.  In 2000, Van joined Coleman Cable, where she led a variety of businesses, as well as strategic acquisitions.  When Southwire acquired Coleman Cable in 2014, Van joined the Southwire senior leadership team where she served on the integration team, Sr VP of cord and electronic products, and Sr VP of Contractor Solutions.  In July 2017, Van retired from Southwire to enjoy life in Chicago with her husband Ron, 3 children, a grand-daughter, and puppy Addison (their latest addition to the family).  Van volunteers as a Board member of the American Marketing Association – Chicago Chapter and is leading the development of the AMA Mentorship program.  She also provides coaching and mentoring in the electrical industry as a way of giving back to an industry that has meant so much to her and her family.

Related Sessions