Scheduled for Jan. 28, 2026
Lending a Helping Hand: Maximizing a Mentor Relationship for Career Changers
When looking to change careers or industries in today’s job market, a mentor can play a key role in a successful transition. In this session during National Mentoring Month, hear from a panel of experienced mentors from Marquette Mentors, the gold standard of higher education mentoring initiatives, who have navigated changes in their careers and worked with students and young professionals to help them launch the next phase of their journeys. Whether you are looking to switch industries, grow professionally, or give back to the next generation, join us to learn more about best practices in mentoring and what professional development resources are available to support the Marquette community.
Dan DeWeerdt, Radtke Director, Marquette Mentors and Senior Engagement Director
Marquette University
Dan DeWeerdt is Radtke Director of Marquette Mentors and senior alumni engagement director in University Advancement at Marquette University. He’s served in a variety of capacities for nearly 20 years at Marquette, including his current role for more than 10 years in leading Marquette Mentors, considered the gold standard for higher education mentoring initiatives and the 2019 CASE Circle of Excellence silver award recipient for student-alumni initiatives. Other roles at Marquette have included alumni program ideation, development and communication strategies. Prior to Marquette, he served as vice president of communications at the United Performing Arts Fund and public relations agencies, including Laughlin Constable in Milwaukee. He helped lead several award-winning campaigns for clients such as McDonald’s Restaurants of Southeastern Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Wisconsin Sesquicentennial and Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Wisconsin, which was a Silver Anvil award recipient. He began his career as assistant general manager for the Rockford Expos, a Class A affiliate of the Montreal Expos. He holds a B.A. degree in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa.
Paul Gomez, Arts '03, Sr. Director, Government Relations and Public Affairs
Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling
Paul A. Gómez is sr. director of government relations and public affairs, west coast at Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling (RCCB). Gómez brings more than 20 years of experience across public affairs, government and external affairs, corporate communications, corporate social responsibility, and multicultural affairs. He has held senior roles with global companies such as lululemon, Wells Fargo Bank, Comcast/NBCUniversal and Walmart, and served as a press secretary early in his career for a member of the United States Congress. Gómez began his career with RCCB in 2025, serving as its lead for the West, leading the development, implementation, and execution of a comprehensive government relations and public affairs strategy that advances Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling’s values and leadership platforms. In this role, he creates and identifies proactive opportunities for leadership to strengthen the company’s reputation and community relationships throughout California and Southern Nevada. Gómez joined RCCB from lululemon, where he served as the company’s first global public and government affairs leader, strengthening the company’s reputation and community relationships around the world. Gómez has held leadership roles at other significant Fortune 500 Companies including Aon, Wells Fargo & Co., Comcast/NBCUniversal - Telemundo, and Walmart. He is active in the non-profit community and currently serves on several boards including Public Media Group of Southern California, California State University of Northridge (CSUN) College of Journalism Advisory Board, Queens Care – Charitable Division Board and formerly served on several of the national Hispanic non-profit advisory boards. A Southern California native, Gómez earned a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism & CSUN School of Communications. He currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif.
Monica Oliver, Sp '81, Monica Oliver Consulting & Coaching
Monica is a certified executive coach who works with leaders, business owners and other professionals to find their path to a more accomplished and satisfying career. She has successfully coached individuals in large corporations, professional services firms, and small to mid-sized companies. Her work focuses on:
Additionally, Monica serves as a peer group facilitator for Chief, the only private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders, and navigating leadership issues such AI and toxic work environments. Monica is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) through the Coaches Training Institute, accredited by the International Coaching Federation. She is also certified by Hogan Assessments for providing feedback to clients about their strengths, potential derailers, and motives, values and preferences. She holds an MBA in Operations Management from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, and a BA in Interpersonal Communications from Marquette University, where she served on the board of the Alumni Association from 2016-2022, including one year as president. Through Marquette Mentors, Monica has mentored a range of college students since 2017.
Jeff Sherman, Bus Ad '91
Jeff Sherman, Bus Ad ’91, is a life long and passionate Milwaukeean. He’s a connector, radio show host, business owner and as he likes to say - a “civic entrepreneur” who leads “The Upswing,” a show on WTMJ featuring local business leaders, fresh voices, CEOs and more. He has a background in business development, public relations and government affairs, is one of the founders of OnMilwaukee.com, and currently owns a consulting business with a focus on marketing, real estate, capacity building and media. Known for amplifying the good and blending thoughtful interviews with practical conversations about local development and leadership, he is active across social platforms, non profit boards and events using his work to spotlight people and projects that are moving the region forward. He’s a proud Marquette graduate and is ready for a fun, engaging conversation today!
Tracy Sparks, Arts '05, Director of Professional Learning and Strategic Initiatives, Office of Student Affairs and Inclusion, Marquette University
Tracie Sparks is a dynamic leader, advocate, and strategist committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), talent development, and workforce accessibility. A Milwaukee native and Marquette University graduate, she has built her career empowering underserved communities, championing justice-impacted individuals, and expanding opportunities for BIPOC professionals. Tracie currently serves as Director of Professional Learning and Strategic Initiatives at Marquette University in the Office of Student Affairs and Inclusion. She previously held DEI leadership roles at Rockwell Automation and ManpowerGroup, where she led global employee resource groups, advised Fortune 500 companies on equitable practices, and developed data-driven programs to measure and advance DEI outcomes. Beyond her professional work, Tracie is deeply committed to community leadership. She serves as Cabinet Member with United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, and Co-Chair of United Way’s Diversity Leadership Society Committee. She is also a founding member of Marquette University’s Council on Native American Affairs and has held leadership roles with ArtWorks for Milwaukee, SEOTS, and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. A proud member of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, Tracie advocates for Indigenous representation and cultural awareness. In 2023, she was honored as one of Madison 365’s 33 Most Influential Native American Leaders. She continues to strengthen her expertise through leadership programs, including Forward 48, the Divided Communities Project (Harvard Law School, Fordham Law School, DOJ), and certifications in Inclusive Leadership and Fierce Conversations. Outside of work, Tracie finds joy as a wife, mother, and proud dog and gecko mom.
