The (holiday) magic of mentorship
Regan Holroyd (BBA ’99) has carved a career path for herself. As chief operating officer of The Lumistella Company, she has helped grow a beloved global brand while staying deeply involved with the University of Georgia community that helped shape her journey.
What started out as a simple online job application in 2012, turned into a career-defining opportunity whose mission hit close to home — literally.
Regan’s daughter had an Elf on the Shelf, and that personal connection sparked her interest in the company behind the magic. That spark turned into a dream job and more than a decade later, Regan is helping lead the very company that created this well-known brand that brings joy to millions of families around the world.
The Lumistella Company is a family-owned business committed to elevating holiday celebrations and enriching family moments. Their portfolio of brands, collectively known as the Santaverse, includes the iconic Elf on the Shelf. Their reach spans 25 different countries across five continents.
As COO, Regan oversees the company’s administrative operations. As a member of the Executive Board, she has oversight for people operations, finance and accounting, philanthropy, facilities (the physical office footprint infrastructure) and administrative services — essentially, all of the internal operations that help run the business beyond the creative, sales and supply chain functions.
Although she credits many people for helping her to grow during her career, her current manager, who hired her back in 2012 and is now the company’s president and chief legal officer, has been the biggest mentor and champion for her throughout the years.
“Over the years, I’ve had numerous mentors, and they come in different forms,” Regan said. “Having that resource makes a huge difference, so I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to explore this.”
That desire to give back led her to joining the UGA Mentor Program, where she wanted to invest in someone, just as others had done for her.
Regan matched with Kay Kergosien ’27, a Leonard Leadership Scholar studying finance and business management, during Kay’s first semester at UGA. Their bond has only continued to grow since then.
Regan Holroyd and Kay Kergosien pose together at The Lumistella Company office.
“I value her authenticity, honestly, and especially her positivity,” Kay said. “I think that it was cool to see just how excited someone was to pour into me.”
But the mentorship isn’t just a one-way street. Regan finds herself just as inspired by Kay.
“She’s very inquisitive,” Regan said. “And we’ll talk about what’s going on in my world, which is super interesting because it actually has the opposite effect, where, in many ways, she’s also developing me as a human.”
“I think that’s why we continue to talk,” she continues. “Because we just left it like, ‘Hey, I’m here for you. Anytime you reach out, I will hop on with you, whatever you need.’”
Kay recently visited Regan at The Lumistella Company and had the opportunity to dive headfirst into the corporate world as she looks ahead to a long-term career in corporate philanthropy and social responsibility.
“The culture that I experienced at The Lumistella Company is something that, once you’re exposed to and you know that it exists in the corporate world, it’s definitely something that I’m not going to be able to let go of as I look for a job in the future,” Kay said.
Not only was it the company culture that interested Kay, but it was the way that Regan carried herself and led her team.
“I would hope to be the type of leader she is,” Kay said. “I mean, you can tell how she empowers the people around her. You can tell how much respect people have for her, her personal relationship skills, but also her ability to get the job done.”
For Regan, part of that strong leadership comes from her love for her team.
“I feel so fortunate to work with this amazing group of people,” Regan said. “I feel like the team is just so incredibly smart and entrepreneurial that they elevate me and inspire me to continue on my own journey of growth.”
Her advice to current Bulldog students and future alumni entering the workforce: “Enjoy the journey and let the path take you where it takes you.”
Regan’s story is proof that a UGA degree is just the beginning. Her commitment to mentorship and leadership ensures that the next generation of Bulldogs is in good hands.
One connection can spark a lifelong impact. Whether you’re looking to guide a student or grow with a mentor by your side, the UGA Mentor Program is where meaningful mentorships begin.
Regan Holroyd and Kay Kergosien pose with Elf on the Shelf toy at The Lumistella Company office.
