Workplace Mentoring – Mentors of the Year

Workplace Mentoring – Mentors of the Year

Workplace Mentoring – Mentors of the Year

This year, and for the first time in our 60 year history, we are pleased to introduce the Workplace Mentoring (WPM) , Mentor of the Year award. An honor we bestow on two individuals who represent the spirit of mentorship best at our facilitated sessions and beyond. 

It is our hope that these stories will inspire more business partners and business professionals to join the mentoring movement as volunteer mentors or champions of programs like WPM empowering the next generation of leaders to achieve success and creating an impact that will last a lifetime.

This year, here in Orange County, we are delighted to present the Workplace Mentoring Mentor of the Year award to Jennifer Santillan Entertainment Manager at The Walt Disney Company and to Pablo Peregrina, Member Education & Development Advocate at Partners Federal Credit Union at The Walt Disney Company. 

Their individual contribution in the life of their mentee is impossible to ignore…and impossible to adequately capture in a short blog post, so we have compiled a snapshot of their greatest contributions. 

  • Mentor: Jennifer Santillan
  • Job Title: Entertainment manager
  • Company: The Walt Disney Company
  • Match Date: October 2021
  • Mentee: Samantha Nava
  • Mentee High School: Katella High School
  • Mentee Grade Level: 11
  • Mentee’s Post-Grad Plans: After high school, she plans to go to university.


Jennifer’s commitment to the Workplace mentoring program began in 2017. She has mentored both high school, and college students, and has continually demonstrated a passion for philanthropic work and youth empowerment. 

During this latest cohort, Jennifer has been a fixture of our facilitated sessions, and has made every effort to regularly stay in touch with her mentee, Samantha. Samantha benefited not just academically and professionally but has learned about creating a healthy balance between work and personal life from Jennifer.

“I love getting the opportunity to volunteer my time by being a Mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Workplace Mentoring program” she said, because, she added “I want to make sure these Mentees know they have someone that can be there to encourage them, listen to them, guide them when needed and care for them during this important time of their life. I feel like I learn through her eyes just as much as I hope she sees the possibilities of a great future through mine”.

In regard to her mentee, Jennifer couldn’t be more proud, saying “Samantha is one of the most ambitious Mentees I’ve ever worked with and it has not only ignited a brand new fire in me (for mentoring), but I get the privilege to be her cheerleader. Her energy matches mine so beautifully and makes this experience even more fun. It’s rewarding for me when she knows she can text me out of the blue and it’ll be as if we just spoke the day before”.

This partnership between the Walt Disney Company and Big Brothers Big Sisters has given Jennifer the focus and space to align her personal values with her professional values and share them with Samantha. “Every session” Jennifer writes, “is an experience I will never forget.”

For these reasons and so many more which we can’t include here, we are thrilled to announce Jennifer Santillan Entertainment Manager at The Walt Disney Company as our 2023 Orange County Workplace Mentor of the Year.


  • Mentor: Pablo Peregrina
  • Job Title: Partners Federal Credit Union Member Education & Development Advocate
  • Company: The Walt Disney Company
  • Match Date: October 2021
  • Mentee : Hugo Rodriguez
  • Mentee High School: Katella High School
  • Mentee Grade Level: 11th
  • Mentee’s Post-Grad Plans (if known): Hugo started two small businesses (selling candy & catering tacos). He plans to scale his businesses and go to study business administration at a four year university.

 
Pablo is a mentor of mentors! He always goes out of his way to make everyone feel included at every site session. His commitment to mentoring was on full display when at the kick-off session a few mentors and mentees were unable to attend. Pablo jumped in asking them to join his table to complete the group activity. His infectious personality gets everyone laughing and engaging with one another. And not only does he show his mentee, Hugo, intense support during each session but also includes the other matches sitting around them. 

Hugo has been able to work with Pablo to improve his business model and brand for both his small operations, while simultaneously, ensuring he excels academically. Pablo’s willingness to check-in with Hugo has also had a significant impact on Hugo’s mental health, helping him to cope with the demands of work, career, and education. With Pablo, Hugo feels like he is “heard” and has a “go to person when times get tough”.

“My mentor deserves this award” Hugo writes, “he has been so kind and showed us what the magic of Disney really is; kindness! Plus, he’s funny. He’s the full package and a great mentor. Pablo for president!”

We couldn’t have said it better Hugo. And while we have no power to make Pablo president, we are honored to call him our 2023 Orange County Workplace Mentor of the Year!  


To learn more about Workplace Mentoring, visit ocbigs.org/programs/workplace-mentoring.

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