The People Who Built Me: Mentorship, Sponsorship and the Power of Being Seen
This panel will feature emerging professionals sharing firsthand experiences on the transformative impact of mentorship and sponsorship. Together, we’ll explore:
- The critical difference between mentorship and sponsorship
- Why mentorship is often more about identity than performance
- How being truly “seen” can reshape confidence, ambition and leadership potential
- The role advocacy plays in opening doors and accelerating careers
- Why mentorship remains valuable, even when sponsorship never materializes
At its core, this conversation is about the people who help shape us, the responsibility to invest in others and the lasting impact of believing in someone before they fully believe in themselves.
Speakers
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Lindsey PainterProject Manager
ZBetaLindsey Painter is a strategic and results-driven project manager with more than 10 years of leadership experience across a wide range of construction sectors, including specialized expertise in security project management. Recognized for leading complex, high-impact projects in fast-paced environments, she has built a reputation for operational excellence, strong client relationships and effective cross-functional leadership.
In her current role as project manager at ZBeta, Painter leverages her strengths in stakeholder engagement, team leadership and problem solving to successfully align project execution with organizational objectives. She is passionate about developing high-performing teams, fostering collaborative partnerships and delivering projects with precision, efficiency and long-term value.
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Liz IngersonMobile Client Advisor
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Jalen JamesStrategic Alliance Relationships Manager, Americas
ZenitelJalen James is a strategic alliance relationship manager for the Americas at Zenitel, where he develops technology partnerships and integration strategies across the physical security industry. A former ScanSource business leader and current member of the SIA RISE Steering Committee, James is passionate about collaboration, mentorship and helping the next generation of security professionals build meaningful careers in the industry.
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Tristin VaccaroFounder
Vaccaro Copywriting & Marketing SolutionsTristin Vaccaro is the owner and founder of Vaccaro Copywriting & Marketing Solutions, a thriving freelance marketing agency that serves the physical security industry, where she partners with various organizations to produce impactful content that connects with target audiences. Her collaborators know her as a highly creative individual who can always be trusted to come up with a new approach.
Vaccaro also serves as the executive director of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Mission 500, a security industry charity dedicated to supporting children in need across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
