Sponsorship vs. Mentorship: Moving from
Advice to Advocacy
Think mentorship only flows one way? Think again.
This session dives into the critical difference between mentorship that guides and sponsorship that elevates. Attendees will learn how to shift from supportive conversations to intentional advocacy that accelerates growth—for themselves and others. Leave equipped to build relationships that open doors, not just ease challenges.
- Understand the core differences between mentoring and sponsoring—and when each is needed
- Learn practical ways to advocate for rising talent through influence, visibility, and opportunity
- Build mutually beneficial sponsor–sponsee relationships rooted in trust and accountability
- Adopt everyday sponsorship behaviors that help lift others into rooms, roles, and opportunities they’ve earned
Meet the Speakers
Courtney Davis
Executive Vice President, Global Education Practice Leader | HUB International Limited
She is the Executive Vice President and Global Education Practice Leader. She leads the vision, strategy, and brand for the Education Specialty Practice, fostering collaboration and innovation to serve educational institutions. With over 17 years of experience in risk management and insurance for the education industry, Courtney has held leadership roles at the University of Chicago and top insurance brokerages
Erin Kelly
Underwriting Manager | Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions
She graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Film Production which led her to work on various documentary and television productions including the feature doc, “Knuckleball” and the CBS TV series, “Entertainment Tonight”. In 2016, she transitioned from Film/TV production into entertainment insurance and has worked in several roles thus far in her career including as an underwriter, senior underwriter, underwriting specialist and currently as the underwriting manager of the Film/TV/DICE focused segment of the Entertainment Department at Intact Insurance Group.
Elizabeth Mertel
AVP, Profit Center Manager | Crum & Forster Insurance Brokers, Inc.
She joined Seneca with the objective of establishing a company presence in the state of CA. Today, Seneca is a well-known company throughout the state of CA, and we are projected to reach $56M in GWP this year. At the end of 2024, she was promoted to AVP – Profit Center Manager for the wholesale-driven business. She now manages a team of eight employees, many of whom are young insurance professionals.
Amy Mattle
North America Retail & Distribution Division Leader | WTW
Amy leads the Retail & Distribution division for WTW Corporate Risk and Broking in North America. She has worked with several global companies focusing risk management strategy. Her team consists of over 50 brokers, service specialists and consultants focused on risk management and insurance for the retail, wholesale and distribution of consumer goods.
Joyce Duarte
SVP, Southeast Regional Executive | Allied World Insurance Company, LTD | Moderator
She is the Senior Vice President, Southeast Regional Executive for Allied World, a global provider of insurance and reinsurance solutions, and a Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited subsidiary. With over two decades of insurance career experience, Joyce leads a team of professionals in Atlanta, Georgia, and Nashville, Tennessee, responsible for Casualty, Property, and Professional Lines production, key client and broker relationships, employee engagement, and geographic growth throughout the Southeast Region of the United States.
