Sarah Kassell was a Protege in the 2018 NCA Mentor-Protege program, and while it was very helpful, Sarah knew the program had a lot of untapped potential. Thus, in 2019 Sarah joined the Professional Development Committee to re-imagine and revitalize the program. This year, Sarah focused on bringing technology and accessibility to the forefront of the program; utilizing an internal website, webinars, and rotating in-person gatherings to accommodate all participants. One of the most rewarding experiences was helping expand the network of our proteges, especially with regards to career advancement and new opportunities. For the 2020 program, Sarah would like to implement 2019 lessons learned, give participants more input over the curriculum, and drive higher attendance rates for in-person events. Although the Mentor-Protege program is a key responsibility for this role, Sarah would like to implement two new opportunities to engage all NCA members on their professional development goals.
