Oprah tells us, “A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” The power of connection is what helps us grow, and we’re looking for mentors to support Summit speakers and help build that connection.
Mentor Chats
Mentors are an important part of our WICS experience, and the mentor/mentee relationship offers incalculable value to both individuals in their camp careers.
At the Summit, you may wish to sign up for a 20-minute, one-on-one conversation with one of the Wonder Women in the camp industry.
You can ask questions, pick their brains, and learn from their experiences!
2023 Mentors
This year we have five passionate and experienced women Mentors: Kim Aycock, Michele Branconier, Colette Marquardt, Michele Rowcliffe, and Sandra “Sam” Thompson.
Kim Aycock
Kim Aycock, MST, has several decades of experience equipping young people with skills robots are unable to do. While blending the talents of a master teacher with the knowledge of a seasoned camp expert, Kim ignites learning for varying levels of camp pros worldwide through her interactive & innovative presentations.
Kim speaks at regional and national conferences, contributes regularly to Camping Magazine and ACA blogs, and serves as co-chair of ACA’s Staff Recruitment & Retention Committee.
Michele Branconier
Michele has worked in youth development for more than 30 years, with 19 years spent at the American Camp Association (ACA). As ACA’s Senior Director of Volunteerism, Michele partners with camp professionals, volunteer leaders, and ACA staff to support camps nationwide.
Michele’s commitment to growing volunteer opportunities across all functions of ACA is demonstrated through her leadership in managing the regional director team and serving as staff liaison to several committees. Prior to ACA, Michele led camp, youth development, and family programs in California. She has attended camp, worked at camp, met her husband at a camp conference, sent her children to camp, and now her kids work at camp!
Michele loves being outdoors year-round and enjoys cooking, traveling, playing with her three dogs, and spending time with her husband, Dave, and their kids, Michael, Tommy, and Bella.
Colette Marquardt
Known for her visionary leadership at the national and local levels of the camp industry, Colette works to ensure that camp is more accessible to all. Colette guides the nation’s largest federally-funded camper services program, providing resources and training that assist camps in successful accreditation processes while delivering comprehensive and responsive professional organizational development opportunities.
Prior to joining ACA Illinois as the CEO, Colette was a nonprofit camp director for several camps throughout the Midwest. She has held various volunteer and professional roles within ACA and the professional association world. At the core of Colette’s work with ACA Illinois is serving her community and transforming the lives of others through the power of camp.
Colette was the first recipient of the WICS Dare to Lead Award.
Michele Rowcliffe
Michele Rowcliffe is the Executive Director of the American Camp Association, New England. In this role, she oversees relationship-building efforts, advocacy initiatives, operations, and educational programs and manages the full-time staff team.
A Western New York native, Michele has been in this role since September 2020 and is a member of the American Camp Association since 1997.
Prior to joining ACA, New England, she worked for the YMCA of Greater Rochester for over 20 years, ranging in roles from Camp Director to Vice President of Camping Services, as well as serving as an inaugural member of the YMCA of the USA Overnight Camping Cabinet.
Sandra “Sam” Thompson
Sam has been a Recreation Supervisor for the Crystal Lake Park District since 1986. Her passion is providing a quality, inclusive camp experience for children and counselors.
Sam is a longtime Standards Visitor and Instructor and has been an active leader in the American Camp Association (ACA) for many years. Previous to her current roles as President-Elect and Standards Chair on the ACA Illinois Board of Directors, Sam has served as the Education Chair, Membership Chair, and Chair of the Mid States Day Camp Conference. She has contributed to the work of several committees including the Student Camp Leadership Academy team, the Mid States Conference Leadership Team, and the ACA National Conference Program review committee.
In addition to her work with ACA, she is also a Teams Course facilitator and a Medic First Aid instructor.