Effingham CEO Mentors & Ambassadors

CEO Mentor

A mentoring program provides an effective networking model for Effingham CEO students. Establishing effective one on one connections, that will strengthen the student's awareness of employment opportunities in Effingham County and develop greater social skills through this mentorship experience. Every CEO student, known as a protégé, is matched with a mentor from the business community. Ultimately, these relationships strengthen the CEO program's success and builds generational bridges between the proteges and the business community.

Here are the following responsibilities and activities:

  • Meet with the Protege outside of class for scheduled meetings to discuss what they are learning in CEO
  • Attend a few scheduled events such as the CEO Experience and Trade Show
  • Review the Protege's business plan for their individual business
  • Experience the weekly progress of their Protege through reading their journal entries of what they experience each day in CEO

CEO Ambassador

The Ambassadors work as a mentoring group assisting the Class Facilitator to help further develop and strengthen the CEO class with their experience and direction. This is another strong way to provide networking opportunities for the students to prepare and receive feedback on their communication skills through group feedback on their upcoming class business and personal businesses.

Here are the following responsibilities and activities:

  • Will serve as special guests to help develop the social skills and business etiquette among the students.
  • Will be asked to attend the class on the weeks prior to the Class Business to develop the student's confidence in selling tickets about their event before they go out into the business community.
  • Will be asked to attend class prior to the Trade Show to hear the student's elevator pitche

Would you like to be a Mentor/Ambassador?

A Mentor/Ambassador is a business owner, entrepreneur, or intreprenuer from the Effingham County business community. A mentor is someone willing to share his or her time and expertise with a CEO student. Please contact us, if you are interested in being a CEO mentor. You will be provided mentor training and be required to have a background check to enroll in the program. Successful mentoring partnerships are advantageous for everyone – the protégé, the mentor and the CEO program.


Mentor Testimonials

Our Mentors

Lee Althoff
Country Rhodes Catering

Skyler Bilbo
Wente Plumbing

Nikki Bloemer
Dieterich Bank

Brennan Debenham
HSHS Saint Anthony's Memorial Hospital

Justin Deters
Teutopolis State Bank
CEO Alumni Class of 2015

Dr. Jennifer Dust
Effingham OB/GYN Associates

Sean French
Conagra Brands

Jon Frohning
Pro Rehab Physical Therapy

Angie Hartke
Prudential Financial Services

Joe Knabe
Al's Tire Mart & Electronics

Olivia Koester
Heartland Dental

Andrew Koester
Taylor Law Office

Mallory Loker
Bauer Funeral Home

Alan Meyer
Meyer Oil Co

Adrian Nowitzke
Behold Aesthetics & Wellness Center

Jake Pals
John Boos & Company

Jaclyn Peno
Tractor Supply Company

Kent Probst
Former CEO Facilitator

Riley Pruemer
Firefly Grill

Astrid Reyes
Astrid Johana Photography

Alec Ring
Ring Financial

Jamie Schultz
James Hardie

Zach Scott
Eli Lilly

Amanda Settle
Nutrition Wise

Mitch Stevens
Bastian Solutions

Elaine Stock
Heartland Dental

Phil Webster
Webster Tire & Auto

Jill Wendling
RE/MAX

Jennifer Wendt
First Mid Bank & Trust

Eric Zeller
Crossroads Bank

Meagan Zerrusen
Potted Charm