RE:CON 2023
PRESENTER BIOS
re:con 2023 Presenters
Backgrounds & Bios
Adam Jenovai |
| Adam Jenovai is responsible for the operations of OCHN including a network of providers that includes services to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, people with mental illness including youth with serious emotional disturbances, and people with substance use disorders. Services include, but are not limited to, case management/supports coordination, therapies, community living services, applied behavioral analysis, and vocational services. Mr. Jenovai is committed to developing collaborative relationships throughout OCHN’s network to develop innovative solutions for care. |
Alics Dillard |
| Alics Dillard is the Manager of Specialized Employment and Training at Goodwill of Greater Detroit. His professional interests focus on helping adults living with I/DD to be as independent in their lives as possible. Alics has more than 20 years’ experience in Workforce Development and Community Mental Health. Alics earned a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling and Community Inclusion from Wayne State University and he is a Licensed Professional Counselor. |
Alvin Brewer
| Alvin Brewer is a Vocational Rehabilitation Professional with over 10 years of progressive experience. An eloquent communicator with more than 20 years of experience in people-oriented/customer service environments; known for building strong partnerships at all levels of an organization. His professional interests are job readiness, self-advocacy, career development, reasonable accommodation in the workplace, and mentoring other young professionals. Alvin was awarded the Good Government Symbol of Excellence by the State of Michigan, the State of Michigan Special Recognition by State Representative Sherry Gay-Dagnogo of District 8, and the Michigan Rehabilitation Services Champion Award by the Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services. Alvin earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration/Computer Information Systems from Baker College and his Master’s in Community Counseling from Siena Heights University. |
Amy Maes |
| Amy Maes is currently the Associate Director for Disability Network Eastern Michigan. She has been working with Michigan’s Disability Community for over 25 years. Before working with DNEM, Amy served as the Leadership & Advocacy Consultant for Disability Network Michigan (DNM and the former Director of the Superior Alliance for Independent Living (SAIL) , the CIL serving the entire Upper Peninsula. Amy is a practicing attorney licensed in the State of Michigan and served as Director of Litigation for Disability Rights Michigan, formerly known as, Michigan Protection & Advocacy Services, Inc. |
Andrea Davis |
| Andrea Davis serves as the Operations Manager of New Horizons Rehabilitation Services, Inc. She has worked at New Horizons since 2014. Over her 9-year tenure with the organization, Andrea has taken on a variety of roles, starting from Services Coordinator and advancing to Branch Manager before assuming her current role as Operations Manager. Beyond her responsibilities in this capacity, Andrea is a devoted mentor and a passionate advocate for ongoing enhancement. Demonstrating a strong dedication to nurturing talent and fostering future leaders, Andrea’s impact is readily seen in her interactions and involvements. Through the sharing of her own journey, she empowers others to catalyze positive transformations and raise the bar for operational excellence. Andrea’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Michigan University, complemented by a Nonprofit Management Certificate from Oakland University. |
Anthony Marcellini
Anthony Marcellini is the PASC Program Manager, and has been leading the PASC program since the Fall of 2020. He is an educator, curator, writer, and artist. He has produced exhibitions, lectures, public cultural events, and projects, with a focus on social practice, public art, and disabilities, in cultural venues and universities across the world. For over 9 years he has taught studio art, curatorial practice, theory, and art and design history, at colleges and universities in the United States and Europe. From 2018 to 2020, he was the Programs and Exhibitions Manager of the Friendship Circle Soul Studio, a studio for adults with disabilities in West Bloomfield, MI. At Soul Studio Marcellini expanded the studio program and worked to align Soul Studio to the history and ideology of progressive art studios and disability culture. He introduced disabled artists into the Greater Detroit art scene and brought visibility to the artwork of the artists with disabilities of Soul Studio. Marcellini received his MFA in 2009 from California College of the Arts with a concentration in Social Practice.
Asmau Ayub |
| Asmau Ayub is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at Michigan State University’s College of Education. Her previous professional experience includes working as a licensed Mental Health Clinician and as a senior management member at the school where she was a school counselor for ten years. As a proactive leader in her community, she spearheads several initiatives and programs that empower individuals to better speak for themselves and the populations they serve. Asmau uses these experiences to challenge the distinctive attributes that clinical supervisors bring to their work. Her purpose is to equip supervisors to master supervisory relationships with their supervisees that will facilitate lifelong learning for their supervisees and lead to career advancement. |
Craig Saunders
Craig Saunders, MA, CBSP – is a Business Relations Consultant with the Business Network Division (BND). His professional interests focus on building relationships with local business, Michigan Works, local schools, and numerous other partners in Northern Michigan. His current projects include assisting with small business development, apprenticeship expansion, and developing and delivering both disability awareness and office ergonomics trainings. He is also a member of BND’s Michigan Business Resource System team. This system is used to track the services MRS provides to their business partners. Craig earned a Master of Arts in counseling from Spring Arbor University, and he is a Certified Business Solutions Professional.
Christa Martin
Christa Martin, MRC, CRC is the Disability & Community Outreach Specialist for DirectEmployers Association’s Strategic Partnerships & Alliances team. She works closely with their Member companies to educate them on how they can work with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies and other disability organizations to promote and implement better DEIB strategies, accessibility, and connect with VR services for improved recruitment and retention of individuals with disabilities. She received her CRC in the fall of 2012 and is LPCA qualified. Christa previously worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist Certified with the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Employer Services Branch, as well as being the Disability Services Coordinator and a Psychology Professor at Kentucky State University. She is Treasurer of the National Rehabilitation Association of Job Placement & Development and their Division Representative to the National Rehabilitation Association Board of Directors, as well as former National Rehabilitation Association Secretary. She is best known for her personal and professional development training around the country, especially regarding ethics. Christa has presented at numerous state, regional, national, and international conferences on different topics of interest and research, including re:con 2018 and 2019 where she was the inaugural opening keynote speaker. She also co-authored and edited two textbook chapters for human services and rehabilitation counseling college students on Ethics & Ethical Decision Making and Resume Development.
Deb Balk |
| Deb Balk is a Resource Navigator with Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids. She works diligently to help those we serve connect with agencies that provide resources suited to their needs. Deb also utilizes tools to help individuals think of solutions to problems they may have on their own. With her experience as a Life Coach and educator, Deb is able to professionally and compassionately assist people in need of services. Deb is a member of the Employment Services Collaborative (ESC) and is a member of the Economic & Workforce Development Committee through the Essential Needs Task Force (ENTF) |
Dessie Johnson MA, CRC, CEAS |
| Dessie is a seasoned expert in vocational rehabilitation, dedicated to serving marginalized communities. Dessie serves as the Vocational Assessment Coordinator at Work Skills Corporation, where she empowers individuals to navigate their professional paths. Utilizing comprehensive assessments, interest inventories, and labor market analyses, she helps people identify their strengths, set achievable goals, and chart a course toward fulfilling work. Specializing in On-the-Job Evaluations, Trial Work Experiences, and Work Samples, Dessie goes the extra mile to understand the unique vocational rehabilitation needs of each individual. Her work extends to those with disabilities as well as individuals reintegrating into the workforce after a period of incarceration. Dessie’s history includes being a key advocate at Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services. There, she championed the rights of people with disabilities, and utilized her extensive knowledge of laws and agency policies, including the Michigan Auto No-Fault Law, the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to enhance access to employment services throughout Michigan. A Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist, Dessie’s expertise is both broad and deeply specialized. Dessie is a servant leader with a passion for the underserved. “Our business in life is not to get ahead of other people, but to get ahead of ourselves.” |
Gary Holik
Gary Holik, MA, CRC, CBSP – is a Business Relations Consultant with the Business Network Division, Michigan Rehabilitation Services. His professional interests focus on labor market information, disability awareness, rehabilitation technology, assistive technology, and workplace accommodations. His current projects include providing disability awareness and worksite analyses for Michigan businesses. In addition, he holds a national credential as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and is a Certified Business Services Professional. He earned his master’s degree in rehabilitation from Michigan State University in 2009. Gary has worked with Michigan Rehabilitation Services for over 25 years.
George Winn |
| George Winn serves as Chief Strategy Officer for Judson Center, leads the operations and management of the agency child welfare programs. . Mr. Winn provides support and guidance in all aspects of program innovation and implementation. Mr. Winn takes a visionary approach to carefully assisting the agency in strategic planning, while focusing on community partnerships and improving internal systems. He has passion for, and belief in, the family system and believes our children are our future and we must provide innovative, high-quality services to children and families.
Mr. Winn has 35 years of leadership experience in human services, leading human resources, operations, information technology, and child welfare teams for a behavioral health and child welfare organization. Mr. Winn also has been a leader in Fatherhood Initiatives in Wayne County. Mr. Winn is very active in advocacy in addressing racial inequity within the child welfare and community mental health systems has previously has served as Diversity Officer and Chief Operating Officer for a local child welfare agency. Mr. Winn is a native Detroiter, a product of the Detroit Public School system and graduate of Cody High School where he was an outstanding scholar and athlete. He received an athletic scholarship from University of Wisconsin (Stout) and later transferred to St. Mary’s College in Orchard Lake, Michigan where he earned his bachelor’s degree in science. He earned his master’s degree in social work from Wayne State University in 1996. Mr. Winn was the 2013 recipient of the Michigan Chronicle Men of Excellence Award celebrating men who personify the exemplary qualities of respect, responsibility, passion, brotherhood and leadership. Mr. Winn has also led, and participated in, the Mayor’s Task Force against abuse and neglect, diversity initiatives, as well as other advocacy initiatives engaging elected officials on ensuring every child has their basic needs met. He serves on the board of Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan, board member of Human Service Association Workers Compensation Fund, member of The State of Michigan’s Committee on addressing racial injustice in Child Welfare, member of the Alliance Black Male Executive Leadership. In May 2015, Mr. Winn completed the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities/University of Michigan’s Executive Leadership Institute. Mr. Winn is a graduate of the Class of 39 Leadership Detroit. |
Hung Jen Kuo PhD CRC LPC |
| Hung Jen Kuo, PhD, CRC, LPC Hung Jen Kuo is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education at Michigan State University (MSU). Kuo has conducted research focused on interventions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on social skills, employment readiness and everyday life skills. He has coordinated/facilitated numerous evidence-based interventions such as: Spartan Transitioning Together (STT), Autism Soft Skills Employment Training (ASSET) and Employment Preparation and Applied Skills Support (EPASS) as a faculty member at MSU. Kuo also has extensive experience as a rehabilitation counselor and assistive technology specialist, as well as direct experience working with virtual reality technology for teaching social skills. Additionally, he is a senior member of the Lifting Individuals and Families through Empowerment (LIFE) research lab. |
| James Willis |
| James Willis is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Gesher Human Services (formerly JVS). He has worked for Gesher for over 26 years as a job coach, transition specialist, and vocational evaluator. James has his Master’s Degree in Social Work Administration and is a surveyor for CARF. |
Jason Kaszubski |
| Jason Kaszubski is the Director of Human Resources of New Horizons Rehabilitation Services, Inc. He has worked at New Horizons since 1997. In this role, he is responsible for recruiting, screening, interviewing, selection and onboarding, training, terminations, benefits administration, compliance and background checks for 140+ staff in multiple southeast Michigan counties. Jason is continuously seeking new ways to improve management expertise, enhance team experience, boost company morale and improve overall team focus. His strategic insights have guided countless employees towards realizing their full potential, transforming them into leaders and catalysts for positive change. Jason earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Development from Oakland University. |
Kaily Kraft |
| Kaily Kraft earned her bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies and her master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC) and works as a Career Pathway Coordinator (CPC) for Project STEMM-Up. Her background in education has allowed her to work with individuals with and without disabilities from all different ages, backgrounds, and cultures with a special focus on academic growth and accommodations. |
Karen Wang
Karen Wang is the Transition Specialist for the Michigan Alliance for Families. She is the parent of an adult with multiple disabilities, and a high school student who has a 504 plan. Karen uses her experience as a high school and college instructor to educate families and self-advocates about the transition from special education to adulthood. She is also an active volunteer in several organizations that support and advocate for youth, such as the Michigan PTA and Scouts BSA.
Kellie Blackwell
Kellie Blackwell is Co-Director for Michigan Disability Rights Coalition’s Michigan Assistive Technology Program. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Her passion for access often translates to a sharpened expertise for digital access; ensuring digital content is accessible for all people, no matter their situation. She has used her more than 25 years as a screen reader user to help ensure that organizations and businesses create and maintain accessible documents, websites, and social media platforms. Kellie appreciates and recognizes the importance of including everyone when using said platforms to promote equity and inclusion, while taking the time to create an accessible and meaningful experience for all. Kellie was appointed to the Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services in 2020. In addition to her statewide service, she serves on the local advisory council for the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA). She earned a Bachelors in Business Administration from Northwood University as well as a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Michigan State University. Prior to joining MDRC, Kellie worked at Disability Network Capital Area, a Center for Independent Living, for over 11 years.
Kimberly Pietrylka-Miller |
| Kimberly Pietrylka-Miller is the Vice President of New Horizons Rehabilitation Services, Inc. She began her career at New Horizons in 1997. In her current role, she oversees the general management of all program and services offered to participants, including program development, delivery, and evaluation, as well as fundraising, budget setting, business and knowledge management, external relationship engagement and community networking. She coordinates and supervises all branch/site operations, development and implementation of projects and new services as they align with the agency’s mission of providing employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment. Kimberly also acts as liaison with agency funding sources and constituents. Kimberly earned her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from Wayne State University and holds a BS in Psychology from Michigan State University. |
Margaret Avery
Margaret Avery (she/her) obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, with a focus in legal studies & intersectionality. Margaret has dedicated her professional and educational career to understanding social and economic inequalities to advocate for the community and fight against oppressive systems. Currently, Margaret works as an advocate with Equality Michigan and aims to provide support, services, and education to the community.
Maria Peak |
| Maria Peak worked in the field of Special Education for 30 years as a classroom teacher, county transition coordinator, and a project coordinator for Michigan Transition Outcomes Project through Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education. Maria first became involved with ASPPIRE as a facilitator and curriculum consultant. In 2015, she became the Executive Director of ASPPIRE. Maria works closely with Incompass Michigan and provides job coach training throughout the state. |
Mary Shehan |
| Mary Shehan-Boogaard holds and MS in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and, is a Qualified Sexuality Educator Qualification through Western Michigan University. She has worked in the field of rehabilitation in Michigan for over 40 years. She currently serves as the Community Inclusion Coordinator for the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council. She is the Council’s lead staff on its expanding employment for youth initiative. She is a frequent presenter on the topics of Advocacy, Self-Determination, Person-Centered Planning, Supported Decision-Making, Youth Employment, and Sexuality Education. Mary is also the family member of several people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities so, she approaches her teaching from many different perspectives. |
Matt McDonald |
| Matt McDonald is a 28-year-old man with autism who graduated with a diploma from Charlotte High School in 2014. Matt works parttime at Speedway as a stocker. He lives independently in an apartment complex. Matt enjoys spending watching sports, especially baseball. Matt also spends time with his neurotypical girlfriend who is a graduate of Michigan State University. Matt has many hobbies such as gardening, cooking, being outdoors, watching TV, playing sports and attending live sporting events. |
Menachem Hojda LMSW
Menachem Hojda is a Clinical Social Worker and Trainer with Oakland Community Health Network and Fairsky Foundation. He is passionate about making the world a more compassionate place by sharing information about the power of connection and empathy to build resilience as a response to trauma.
Michael Laird |
| Michael Laird is a 3rd year student at Michigan State University in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program. He is currently working at the Battle Creek Veterans Administration as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern. Before that he served over 20 years in Military, three years in the U.S. Army and 17 in the U.S. Force, retiring in 2017. Michael is also a Co-Founder and the current Secretary and Treasurer of Mending Souls, 502(c)3, an all-volunteer organization focused on charitable works for underserved and disenfranchised groups. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona with a major in Care, Health & Society with a double minor in Psychology and a Thematic Minor: Healthcare, Law and Policy. He was also awarded the College of Social and Behavior Sciences Outstanding Senior, Fall 2020. |
Narae Yu |
| Narae Yu is a first-year master’s student in Rehabilitation Counseling at Michigan State University. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Counseling Psychology and Social Welfare, demonstrating her dedication to assisting individuals facing various challenges. Her aspirations extend beyond the classroom; she envisions herself as a versatile practitioner and researcher in Rehabilitation Counseling, open to a diverse range of interests within the discipline. |
Rene Dell
Rene Dell received her Masters in Counseling from Oakland University. Rene is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor who currently works as the Vice President of Vocational Rehabilitation at Gesher Human Services. She sits on the board for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. She has extensive experience working with individuals who sustained traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, intellectual impairments, developmental disability, mental health diagnosis, substance use disorders and other catastrophic injuries. Rene has been successful in placing individuals with significant disabilities in competitive community-based integreted employment. She has worked with those who are referred by Michigan Rehabilitation Services, those currently receiving Workers Compensation benefits, and private pay cases which all involve working with participants with a wide range of disabilities. Rene looks at each person on an individual basis and develops an approach which maximizes the potential for the participant.
Sally Smolinski |
| Sally Smolinski oversees the vocational provider network at OCHN which includes 11 providers of vocational services in both community and facility-based settings. She is committed to building a strong, quality collaboration in vocational services within OCHN’s provider network. |
Sarah George, CRC |
| Sarah George is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with more than 24 years of experience in the field of vocational rehabilitation. In her current role as Director of Mission Initiatives at Peckham, Inc., Sarah provides strategic thinking and clinical expertise in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and interventions that support Peckham’s mission to provide a wide range of training and employment opportunities for people striving for independence and self-sufficiency. Sarah is passionate about workforce inclusion, belonging, and mental health. Sarah earned her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from Michigan State University. |
Scott Caesar |
| Scott Caesar is the founder of WordWorks AI, a generative AI research and innovation consulting organization. With over 15 years of experience in the enterprise software industry and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Michigan, Scott is a proven leader in driving growth and launching innovative products.
Scott is passionate about the potential of generative AI to drive innovation and positive social impact. His approach to leading and innovating is grounded in continuous learning and agile methodologies. |
Sean Luechtefeld, Ph.D., CAE |
| Sean Luechtefeld serves as ANCOR’s Vice President for Membership & Communications. Since joining the ANCOR team in 2018, Sean has led communications for ANCOR and the ANCOR Foundation, collaborating across the organization to strengthen the association’s brand and positioning. In 2023, Sean added membership to his portfolio, overseeing member outreach, operations and engagement for ANCOR’s growing community of more than 2,000 providers and associations.
Prior to joining ANCOR, Sean worked for more than a decade in an array of communications roles supporting mission-driven organizations. Additionally, he has served since 2015 as an adjunct professor in the Master’s program in Communication at Johns Hopkins University, where he teaches courses in content marketing, advocacy communications, speechwriting, research methods and more. Sean holds a Ph.D. in Communication with a focus in rhetoric and political culture from the University of Maryland, a Master’s in Communication from Wake Forest University, and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Communication Studies and Political Science, both from the Florida State University. In 2023, he earned the designation of Certified Association Executive from ASAE, the Center for Association Leadership. |
Shannon Kelley |
| Shannon Kelley is the Digital Skills Supervisor for the Specialized Employment and Training program at Goodwill of Greater Detroit. She has nine years of experience working with adults with disabilities and loves developing digital literacy and life skills curriculum that helps others to realize their independence. Shannon also has 12 years of experience teaching middle school and high school choirs across the state of Michigan. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Calvin College and has a professional teaching certificate with the State of Michigan. In her free time, Shannon likes to grow vegetables in her garden, collect old books and sheet music, and read about and discuss religion and politics. |
Sharon Emery |
| Sharon Emery struggles to speak — she has a severe stutter — but has nonetheless made a career – several careers, in fact – as a communicator.
First, she set her sights on being a reporter. After graduating from Wayne State University and earning her Master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York City, she went to work at a small daily newspaper in Ohio. She then taught journalism part-time at Michigan State University, while working on her doctorate and starting a family. She returned to full-time work as an editor at the Lansing Bureau of what is now Mlive. Sharon spent most of her career there, including a year as a Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellow at the University of Michigan. When the newspaper industry began to implode, she turned to public relations. She became vice president at Truscott Rossman in Lansing, and continues as a senior consultant there. Sharon has since added “author” to her resume. Her memoir, “It’s Hard Being You, A Primer on Being Happy Anyway,” was named a 2023 Michigan Notable Book and she has spent the year speaking to audiences across the state. Forging a career in communications was a battle, but she also struggled with other losses and limits. Luckily, it taught her a lot about life, which she is now sharing with others struggling to make their way. New York Times bestselling author Lori Nelson Spielman calls Emery’s message “a gift to the world.” |
Shonda Rushing
| Shonda Renee Rushing is a author, poet, motivational speaker, leadership consultant co-host of Road2damascus Podcast, founder of the Clean Your Soul class and has been in ministry and leadership over 20 years. Her greatest achievement is being mom to 2 sons TJ and Brayden. |
Susan Salhaney |
| Susan Salhaney is the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Judson Center, a human service agency headquartered in Farmington Hills, MI. Ms. Salhaney is an alumna from Western Michigan University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
Throughout her 36 year career, Ms. Salhaney has dedicated herself to insuring the safety and well-being of children and families. In her current role as Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Salhaney oversees autism, disability and integrated health care services, which includes primary health care and the operations of a certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC) offering mental health and substance use disorder services. Prior to assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Salhaney worked very closely with children and families as the Child Welfare Director at Judson Center. Ms. Salhaney is an alumna of Leadership Detroit XL. She has been a member of numerous statewide committees focused on child welfare services and a strong advocate for the well- being of vulnerable children, families and adults in Michigan. |
Toni Jordan MA, CRC, LPC |
| With more than 20 years of experience serving the disability community, Toni is both a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She holds a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Michigan State University. Toni began her relationship with MRA as a graduate student in 2013 and deepened her commitment by joining the board in 2016. Currently, she serves as a Site Manager at MRS, where she oversees operations to ensure optimal client outcomes. Toni joined MRA to network with other professionals who share her commitment to rehabilitation services. She fervently believes that fostering these connections is the key to forming stronger alliances that can advance the cause of a more inclusive and equitable society for individuals with disabilities. |
