Career Practitioner Conversations with NCDA – Details, episodes & analysis

This episode is part of the DEI Symposium Series, developed from the DEI Symposium sessions presented at the 2025 NCDA Global Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Maisie and Nulty Lynch are veteran teachers and a husband and wife duo. They address the communication nuances between neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals, the significant barriers in traditional interview processes, and the importance of inclusive practices. Maisie and Nulty also advocate for creating accessible systems and intentional, empathetic communication to better support neurodivergent individuals in achieving meaningful employment.

Nulty Lynch is the English Language Arts department chair at a large public middle school and a certified autism specialist and coach. He openly shares his personal journey, including his autism and ADHD diagnoses and the challenges of masking.

Maisie Lynch is an internship coordinator and career services provider, as well as President of FutureReadyU. She discusses her experiences assisting students with neurodivergencies. 

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Erik Hines and Angie Thompson, co-chairs of the NCDA Technology Committee. They discuss their roles, experiences, and the committee's key focus areas, including the integration of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in career development. Angie recounts her journey to joining the committee and emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship. Erik highlights the significance of using technology ethically and efficiently in educational and counseling settings. The conversation also delves into the committee's vision of staying ahead of technological advancements and fostering a supportive environment for members interested in tech innovations. Listeners are encouraged to get involved and utilize the resources, demonstrations, and network opportunities offered by the committee.

Erik M. Hines, Ph.D., is a Professor of Counseling in the Department of Counseling, Leadership, and Educational Sciences within the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. Dr. Hines research agenda focuses on the postsecondary readiness and career development of Black men and boys across various contexts (P-12, community college, 4- year college/university) and critically examines how high impact programming shape their educational and career outcomes and experiences. Additionally, Dr. Hines studies the career exploration of educationally vulnerable students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). He has secured over $12.5 million dollars in research and program funding. 

Angie Thompson has worked in higher education for over two decades and currently serves as the Assistant Director of AI Education and Student Engagement at the University of Montana. A certified federal application specialist and career coach, she teaches career courses and is nationally recognized for her expertise in AI, career readiness, and federal hiring processes. She currently serves as the Co-Chair of the NCDA Technology Committee and is actively involved in the University of Montana’s AI Future Project and AI Community of Practice, where she helps shape campus-wide AI guidelines, initiatives and ethical frameworks. Angie has recently written an article on AI and, this year, will also serve on the NCDA AI Task Force and the NACE AI Content Special Interest Group. 

Resources

• Learn about the activities of all of NCDA's Committees
• NCDA's AI Resources

In this episode, Melissa Venable, NCDA's Director of Professional Development, talks with NCDA President Marty Apodaca about the upcoming NCDA 2025 Global Career Development Conference, scheduled for June 18-20 in Atlanta, Georgia. Marty discusses the theme he selected, Autonomy to Change: Evolving and Adapting Career Development in Revolutionary Times, drawn from the significant changes in the career development landscape, especially influenced by AI and workforce dynamics. He highlights key speakers, including Sonny Wong, Dr. Marian Higgins, and JP Michel, and emphasizes this year's DEI symposium and the event's historical and cultural significance, being held during Juneteenth in Atlanta. Additionally, Marty introduces new conference formats, including mini-sessions on diverse topics such as AI and resilience. He reflects on his tenure as NCDA President, sharing the establishment of an AI task force, the organization's commitment to DEI, and his personal and professional growth through global relationships.

Marty Apodaca, MA, LPCC, CCC, NCC is a Senior Counselor at the University of New Mexico’s (UNM) Student Health and Counseling where he assists his clients in exploring the intersections of career and mental health. For over a decade, he previously served as a Career Development Facilitator at UNM Career Services, where he supervised and trained both individual and group counseling interns. Marty presents to counseling graduate students on career related topics and has taught undergraduate career development courses.

Marty’s NCDA roles include being the Trustee-at-Large for Leadership Academy and a co-associate editor for the Features section of NCDA's web magazine, Career Convergence. Previously, he served on the President’s Strategic Planning committee and is an alumnus of Leadership Academy. Marty is an active board member and former president of the NMCDA, where he helps facilitate workshops aimed at educating community providers, career practitioners, and school counselors on serving their populations' career needs. Marty has also been faculty at two Career Construction Institutes and offers supervision and guidance to UNM staff and graduate students who use the Career Construction Interview with clients.

Marty has publications in the Career Development Quarterly, Career Planning and Adult Development Network, and Career Convergence. Marty has also been published in the Journal of Individual Psychology, Teaching and Supervision in Counseling, and ACA’s VISTAS web magazine. Marty received his BA in English and MA in Counseling from UNM. While working on his MA, he served as a board member and president for Chi Sigma Iota, the counseling honor society. Marty is a Professional Clinical Counselor, Certified Career Counselor, and National Certified Counselor. At UNM, Marty has received the People Appreciate Wonderful Staff Award and was recognized as an American Indian Student Services Campus Partner.

Resources

NCDA 2025 Global Career Development Conference

NCDA AI Task Force - Artificial Intelligence Resources

In this episode, Melissa Venable, NCDA Director of Professional Development, discusses writing and publishing career development books with guests Sujata Ives and Paula Brand. They discuss their motivations, the long and challenging process of publishing, the costs involved, and the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing. Sujata and Paula offer practical advice, including the importance of planning, asking critical questions, and reading extensively. The episode provides valuable guidance for anyone interested in writing a book.

Sujata Ives, PhD, GCDFI, OWDSI, is a workplace global consultant and leader in the field of career development and employment counseling. She is a sought-after international speaker and international best-selling author of the book and workbook “Activate Success, Tips, Tools, & Insights to Be a Leader in Your Niche” available on Amazon & Kindle. Her keen approach to leadership takes a novel approach through storytelling, self-leading and introspection as foremost to change management, conflict-resolution, and sustainable impact. She was the first to publish an article for SHRM association on the topic of “Common Sense Leadership” and published her counselor story as a foreign-born counselor in ACA’s Counselor Stories series. Sujata is the 2023 recipient of the National Career Development Association’s Diversity Initiatives Award. She was chosen to participate in the 2024 NCDA Leadership Academy class, where she conducted a national and international study through a needs analysis on intercultural leadership, and after graduating she was chosen to become Chair of the Leadership Academy Class of 2026. In addition, she is also Chair of Programs at the Asia Pacific Career Development Association; member of the Awards Committee; member of the Global Connections Committee; Treasurer of the MCA; and Community Coordinator for the World Council on Global & Intercultural Competencies, UNESCO. Sujata has a limited private practice and can be reached at www.drsujataives.com

Paula Battalia Brand is the author of The Purple Parachute: A Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Winds of Career Change. This DIY manual walks you through a step-by-step process to learn about yourself and move you through career transitions successfully. It’s available in all formats (eBook, audiobook, and hard copy). This book is a manifestation of Paula’s passion to empower women in the workplace. Paula is a Global Career Coach & Consultant, LinkedIn Expert, Speaker, Trainer and Author with a background in human resources, workforce development, training and career counseling.  She founded Brand Career Management to provide career services to individuals and employers. Organizational clients have included the World Bank Group, the Caribbean Development Bank, and the Executive Educations programs at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Her formal education includes a master’s degree in applied psychology (Industrial/Organizational) from the University of Baltimore and a bachelor’s degree from UNC-Greensboro. Additionally, Paula currently holds three industry certifications including Global Career Development Facilitator, Certified Salary Negotiation Specialist, and Job and Career Transition Coach. Learn more about Paula’s book at http://www.purple-parachute.com/. You can learn more about Paula at www.brandcareermanagement.com.

Resources

Resources for Aspiring Authors

This episode features a conversation about representation in the workplace in which LaChish Rigg, CEO of LJR Training & Coaching and Past President of the New Jersey Career Development Association, hosts Blanca Rosales-Ahn, founder of BRAHN Career Educational Consulting Services. The discussion covers the impact of representation on workplace culture, profitability, and the inspiration it can provide for all employees. LaChish and Blanca also discuss overcoming challenges, professional courtesy, and the need for open communication and mentorship. This episode provides actionable advice for career practitioners helping clients embrace their authentic selves while maintaining professionalism, leveraging their cultural backgrounds, and advocating for inclusion and representation.

LaChish J. Rigg is the owner of LJR Training & Coaching, a private practice based in South Florida offering the Facilitating Career Development training course along with career coaching services. LaChish has over 15 years of experience in higher education, including experience providing career and academic advising services to diverse populations. She also has experience as a K-12 teacher, college instructor and workshop presenter. She teaches high school social science courses, college and career readiness courses and has presented workshops on resume writing, networking, interview skills, and job fair professionalism. She is a counseling student and talk show host for the Black Mental Health Matters show. She served as President of the New Jersey Career Development Association, Sub-committee co-chair of the New Jersey Association for Multicultural Counseling, and Member-at-large for the Middle Atlantic Career Counseling Association. Her educational background includes graduate studies in counseling, education, and business. Connect with LaChish: LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram

Blanca Rosales-Ahn is the Founder and Chief Executive Director of BRAHN Career Educational Consulting Services. A strategic professional with over 20 years of experience, she specializes in Career and Leadership Development, Career Counseling, Education and Business Management. She has extensive expertise in assessment and program development for diverse populations. Blanca earned her M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Student Affairs in Higher Education and a B.S. in Business Management. She is also a Certified Master of Career Services (CMCS). Blanca has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as President of the New Jersey Career Development Association (NJCDA), the New Jersey Employment Counseling Association (NJECA), and LUPE Fund, Inc. She has also served on the Executive Boards of organizations such as the New Jersey American Council on Education for Women in Higher Education, the Hispanic Association of College Employees, the National Career Development Association (Professional Development Committee), the New Jersey Counseling Association (NJCA), and the United Way’s Hispanic Leadership Advisory Council, among others. She is an Adjunct Professor at Kean University and Union College of Union County.

Resources

• https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/diversity-matters-even-more-the-case-for-holistic-impact
• https://www.eeoc.gov/data/eeo-1-employer-information-report-statistics#Explore

In this episode hosted by Melissa Venable, NCDA Director of Professional Development, Deborah Sgro, founder of Beyond the Glass Ceiling, LLC, and the global mentoring director for Women in Big Data, explains the work and interconnectedness of data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity career fields. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the rapidly growing and transforming tech landscape, highlighting market trends, job roles, essential skills, and training paths. Deb also addresses common misconceptions and the need for continuous learning and adaptability in these professions. The discussion underscores the non-technical career opportunities in these fields and provides advice for career counselors and coaches on how to stay current and support their clients effectively.

Deborah Sgro is a certified career professional with a private practice, Beyond The Glass Ceiling, LLC.  She specializes in coaching technology and business professionals at all levels to achieve their envisioned career. As a former senior financial technologist professional, she worked on Wall Street for over 40 years developing technical solutions addressing business objectives for the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange, and BNY Mellon. Throughout that time, she also groomed emerging talent by establishing and running mentoring programs, providing on-the-job training sessions, and personally coaching to assist people with their career advancement goals. 

Deborah holds a CCSP certification from the National Career Development Association.  She is also a certified project manager and certified Agile Professional from the Project Management Institute. Deborah holds two master's degrees from Stevens Institute of Technology, one in Computer Science and the other in Technology Management. 

She is on the Board of Advisors for Women in Big Data, and is the Global Mentoring Director for that non-profit professional association. Deborah also addresses corporate women resource groups, university audiences, and presents at NCDA conferences on all aspects of career advancement.

For more information: www.linkedin.com/in/deborahsgro

Resources

• World Economic Forum - Future of Jobs Report 2025
• McKinsey and Company - Featured Insights
• Women in Big Data
• Udemy

In this episode, Melissa Venable hosts Dr. Resa Lewiss, a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Dr. Adaira Landry, an emergency medicine doctor at Harvard/Brigham and Women's Hospital for a discussion of takeaways from their book: MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact. The conversation emphasizes skills like communication, conflict resolution, and self-care, applicable across various industries and in the context of career development. The authors highlight their personal experiences, the importance of rest, the role of an employer in employee self-care, and the power of storytelling in career development.

More about Adaira and Resa:

Adaira Landry, MD, MEd, is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Her academic interest focuses on mentorship of early career professionals. She has been awarded for her dedication to mentorship and education. Dr. Landry speaks nationally on mentor-mentee relationships and strategies for career development. She is a healthcare contributor for Forbes. She has published in Academic outlets such as Nature, Science, New England Journal of Medicine and for the general public audience in Vogue, Teen Vogue, Harvard Business Review and Fast Company. She is co-author of MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact, a book to help early-career professionals navigate the workplace. She is also a wife and a mother to 3 children. She hopes to raise her 3 children to understand and value the importance of supporting others in need. Website | LinkedIn

Resa E Lewiss, MD, is a Professor of emergency medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, TEDMED speaker, designer, and award winning educator, mentor, and point-of-care ultrasound specialist. She studied at Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, the NIH Howard Hughes Research Scholars Program, Harvard Emergency Medicine, and Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Roosevelt. She hosts the Academic Emergency Medicine Education & Training podcast, and her own The Visible Voices Podcast, amplifying content in the healthcare, equity, and current trends spaces. Her writing is widely published in science journals, and the popular press. She has written for CNBC, Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Nature, the Philadelphia Inquirer, MedPage Today, Doximity,and Slate. Her podcast has been featured in the Guardian, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Brown Alumni Monthly. She is co-author of MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact, (HarperCollins) published in April 2024. Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

In this podcast episode, Melissa Venable, NCDA's Director of Professional Development, hosts a conversation on creating neurodiverse-affirming practices with Janine Rowe, a licensed mental health counselor, and Elle O'Flaherty, Principal of Interlace Solutions Coaching. They discuss the concept of neurodiversity, which includes conditions like autism and ADHD, and emphasize moving from a deficit to a strengths-based model. They share personal insights and experiences, highlight the importance of understanding individual needs, and offer practical advice for career development professionals working with neurodiverse clients. Key topics include understanding communication differences, the importance of interest-based strengths for ADHD clients, and navigating the complexities of the disclosure process under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The conversation underscores the need for flexible, collaborative approaches to support neurodiverse individuals in career development.

Janine Rowe is a doctoral student in Counselor Education at the University of Rochester, in Rochester, NY. She is a licensed mental health counselor, a certified career counselor, and nationally certified counselor in private practice in Rochester, NY. She is currently a counselor at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She was most recently a career counselor and Assistant Director of Disability & Career Services at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She is the winner of the New York State Career Development Association (NYSCDA) Early Career Professional award (2014) and the RIT Presidential Award for Excellence (2018). Janine was a participant in National Career Development Association’s Counselor Education and Leadership Academies and is the previous Vice-President and President of the NYSCDA. 

Elle O’Flaherty, JD, PCC, is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and founder of Interlace Solutions Coaching. Specializing in performance optimization and ADHD strategies, she empowers professionals and organizations to excel. She has been featured in national media outlets including Medium, Yahoo Finance, and Atlassian. Elle delivers research-backed insights and practical tools with humor to enhance productivity, leadership, and career growth. In her previous life, Elle was a litigator and international trade negotiator for nearly 17 years.

Resources

• Person-first language
• ADA and Disclosure
• Investigating Markers of Rapport in Autistic and Nonautistic Interactions - Autism in Adulthood

Want to learn more? Career Planning Academy:

• Certified Autism Career and Employment Specialist - Instructor: Janine Rowe
• Certified ADHD Career Strategist - Instructor: Elle O'Flaherty

This episode concludes our series of DEI conversations originally featured in the DEI Symposium of the NCDA 2024 Global Career Development Association Conference in San Diego, CA. Thank you to Dr. Elif Balin & Ivette Mekdessi, Kelly Woods, Sanaz Nabati, and Delyash Tsartsaeva who were all presenters for the original DEI Symposium session.

In this episode, Dr. Elif Balin and Sanaz Nabati discuss challenges international students face at the intersection of career development and mental health. They emphasize the importance of culturally-responsive practices and the need to normalize mental health support. The Multicultural Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC) framework is introduced as a tool to promote cultural competency and advocate for holistic career development. The conversation highlights acculturative stress, the impact of policy changes, and the importance of community support and proactive resources.

Elif Balin, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, GCDF is an Associate Professor of Counseling and the Coordinator of the Career Counseling Program at San Francisco State University. Elif actively volunteers in community settings to support the cultural transition and work/career experiences of international students, new immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. She served as a co-founding chair of the NCDA International Student Services Committee (ISSC)(2013-2015) and later led this committee’s research team until 2020. Elif also serves in the NCDA task force as one of the subgroup chairs to revise multicultural career counseling competencies and on the NCDA research committee.

Sanaz Nabati, M.S. is an Assistant Director of Undergraduate Education and Development at University of California, Los Angeles, serving Students with Disabilities and International Students. As liaison to international students, she has become very knowledgeable and passionate about their employment issues and strives to support their unique challenges in their career development. She also leads the Pre-Law Advisor and Professional Graduate School Programming initiatives. 

Resources

• NCDA Committees – International Student Services Committee (ISSC)
  • NCDA’s ISSC Committee LinkedIn Group
  • ISCC Resource Guide
  • ISSC YouTube Channel
• NCDA Code of Ethics
• NCDA’s Multicultural Counseling Competencies
• NCDA Webinars
• CDQ article by the NCDA International Student Services Committee
• ACA Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC)
• CPT and OPT

Corrections/Clarification:

• The study and publications referenced at 8:29 began almost 5 years ago, not 3.
• The initial task force, which began in 2012 was not half international like the committee formation and status in 2015.

This episode continues our series of DEI conversations that were originally featured in the DEI Symposium of the NCDA 2024 Global Career Development Association Conference in San Diego, CA.

In this episode Dr. Frank Gorritz, a counselor educator at Florida Gulf Coast University, hosts Ken Meeker a Certified Professional Coach providing services through his company, Vitality Career Coaching LLC. Both are active members of NCDA’s Diversity Initiatives and Cultural Inclusion (DICI) Committee. Ken shares his insights from presenting at the NCDA conference, emphasizing that visibility and individualized support are crucial for career practitioners. They discuss the need for developing a toolbox of resources, using tools that cater to specific disabilities, and avoiding assumptions about a client's needs. The episode also covers person-first language to avoid dehumanizing clients, the prevalence of invisible disabilities, and the importance of asking respectful questions to understand a client’s needs. Frank and Ken inspire and equip counselors to better serve clients with disabilities by building trust, understanding their rights, and maintaining a network of resources.

Frank Gorritz FitzSimons, Ph.D., LPC is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Florida Gulf Coast University and a licensed professional counselor. Dr. Gorritz FitzSimons is a nationally recognized scholar and counselor educator on topics including providing affirmative counseling care to queer and transgender communities of color, providing multicultural supervision, utilizing diverse approaches to counseling work, as well as addressing and disrupting white supremacy in counselor education. His ongoing research interests include enhancing an understanding of minority stress, improving social justice counseling competencies, and promoting affirming approaches to substance use counseling practice. Dr. Gorritz FitzSimons has also received the Counselors for Social Justice 'Ohana Award in 2022 for his dedication to social justice across communities in both counseling and advocacy work. 

Ken Meeker is the owner of Vitality Career Coaching LLC, a boutique leadership, executive, and career coaching company. In addition to one-on-one client coaching, Ken develops customized workshops and training tailored to the unique needs of business clients. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility consulting are essential aspects of his work. Ken is a Certified Professional Coach, Certified ADA Coordinator, and has extensive DEI training and education, participated in numerous seminars and summits, and is Inclusive Behaviors Inventory Certified. Ken is the creator and host of the “Dissing My Ability" Podcast and has appeared on several other shows and podcasts. Ken is a regular contributor to the Bold Blind Beauty lifestyle magazine, Beyond Sight and serves on the NCDA private practice advisory board. 

Resources

• NCDA Diversity Initiatives and Cultural Inclusion Committee
• National ADA Resource Centers
• Person-First Language Guide
• CDC Stats on Americans with Disabilities
• Ask JAN (Job Accommodation Network)