Bold claim: Mentorship is changing careers and reshaping an entire industry, one relationship at a time. And this is where the true value shines in Experiential in Color 2025: the program’s newly launched mentorship initiative is turning mentors into career accelerators and opening doors for a broader, more diverse generation of experiential marketers.
Since Experiential in Color began in 2021 to spotlight and nurture a pipeline of diverse talent in events, mentorship has consistently stood out as the top driver of meaningful opportunities for rising stars. This year, a fresh mentorship component proves that mentorship isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for both individual growth and business success.
Two-way mentorship at its best creates momentum for everyone involved. As Karlene Palmer-Mcleod, senior experiential marketing manager at Proximo Spirits and a member of the Experiential in Color Steering Committee, notes, mentoring can dramatically raise minority representation in management—from about 9% to 24%—and mentored employees are five times more likely to achieve promotions. The initiative is led by Palmer-Mcleod alongside Jillian Austin (creative director-experiential innovation, MC²), Gabriela Neves (partner, Factory360), and Esther Sarpong (director-experiential retail, Brookfield Properties). They opened a call for applications that attracted a wide range of participants—from students and early-career professionals to event managers, creative directors, agency founders, and senior brand executives.
Austin reflects on her own learning journey: after 17 years in experiential marketing, the initiative revealed a community she hadn’t fully understood. The steering committee discussed the best way to structure the program, considering what they would have benefited from earlier in their careers and what truly supports growth. The result is a thoughtful mentorship framework designed to connect peers and seasoned professionals in meaningful, growth-oriented pairs.
The committee carefully reviewed submissions and matched mentors with mentees based on professional experience, daily responsibilities, career goals, areas of expertise, and personal interests. After nearly 50 matches, pairs were introduced and given the freedom to establish their own meeting cadences and collaboration styles.
In its inaugural year, the program has already delivered tangible outcomes: mentees have secured new roles, navigated career transitions, and uncovered passions they hadn’t known they possessed. The initiative isn’t limited to guiding newcomers; even established industry professionals have expressed a desire to learn from others at similar stages or with different perspectives.
Beyond traditional mentorship, the program created new avenues for connection, including communications channels on Microsoft Teams and participation in the Experiential Marketing Summit (EMS) held April 14–16 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Event Marketer covered EMS passes for mentees selected by the steering committee and offered EMS discounts to all participants. Ten mentees traveled to Las Vegas with Spirit Airlines providing airfare and MGM Grand handling accommodations.
Palmer-Mcleod emphasizes the importance of these sponsorships: they make EMS accessible to ten bright mentees who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to attend, and they lay a foundation for ongoing growth beyond the conference.
During EMS, Austin, Neves, and Sarpong led a panel to discuss the mentorship program, its impact on BIPOC professionals, and the broader career benefits of mentorship. The event also hosted the inaugural Experiential in Color Mentorship Program Mixer, sponsored by TCG Collective, giving participants a dedicated space to network with one another and EMS attendees.
When the program launched, the team wasn’t sure what to expect. Sarpong recalls the moment they realized their effort had gained real traction: ten applicants appeared, and the initiative began to generate interest on LinkedIn. What began as a focused pilot had energized a wider audience—an industry eager to grow in a supported, constructive space where careers can flourish and impact can be amplified.
As the 2025 program concludes, three mentor/mentee pairs share their perspectives, providing candid insights into what they’ve learned, how they’ve supported one another, and how the experience has shaped their professional paths. While each story is unique, a common thread runs through all: the relationships established during this program are intended to endure well beyond its formal end, continuing to influence careers and practices over time.
According to Palmer-Mcleod, building something like this requires a village. More people stepping into these platforms and opportunities will only strengthen the industry as a whole. The team expresses deep gratitude to everyone who believes in the program and remains committed to expanding its reach and impact.
Photo credit: PWP Studio
Further reading from Experiential in Color:
- Event Marketer Launches a BIPOC Mentorship Program to Elevate Careers
- Experiential in Color 2023: Amplifying Diverse Voices
- Experiential in Color 2022: Sharing Diverse Perspectives
- Experiential in Color 2021: The Next Generation of Diverse Leaders
This story appeared in the Fall 2025 issue.
