Lead(h)er Celebrated Decade of Mentorship in Davenport
The organization marked ten years of operations at its annual Fuel the Fire Gala in the Quad Cities.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Awards
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Lead(h)er celebrated its tenth anniversary at the annual Fuel the Fire Gala. The organization also announced the recipients of the 2026 Girl on Fire Awards during the event.
Why it matters
The milestone highlights the organization's growth and its commitment to fostering professional connections for women in the region through structured mentorship.
Lead(h)er has facilitated matches for over 1,466 women through its Strike a Match Mentorship Program since 2016. The organization has maintained its operational footprint for 10 years.
The players
Lead(h)er
This organization operates the Strike a Match Mentorship Program based in the Quad Cities.
Lindsay Dotterer
She was recognized as the Mentor of the Year at the 2026 Fuel the Fire Gala.
Mikayla Godding
She received the Mentee of the Year award during the tenth-anniversary celebration.
Tracy Schwind
She was honored as the Found(h)er of the Year for her contributions to the organization.
The details
Award recipients were selected through a blind scoring process conducted by previous winners and members of the mentorship community. Honorees included Lindsay Dotterer, Mikayla Godding, and Tracy Schwind.
Timeline
Lead(h)er was founded in 2016.
The organization celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2026.
Culture Shift
This milestone reflects the broader trend of formalized community-based networking structures gaining traction in regional markets. The success of such programs illustrates a shift toward collaborative professional development over traditional hierarchical advancement models.
Residents interested in professional development can apply to join the Strike a Match Mentorship Program to receive peer-based guidance. The program provides a structured pathway for women to expand their professional networks within the Quad Cities.
The takeaway
The sustained growth of Lead(h)er demonstrates the enduring value of structured peer mentorship for career advancement. Local professionals can utilize these community frameworks to foster long-term skills and expand their career networks.
Further reading
Learn more about local recognition programs in Davenport Awards.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Local 4 News WHBF TV.
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