Participants

Celeste Graschel

“Leadership skills are essential in the field of IDD to drive positive change, advocate for those with disabilities, learn to adapt methods and strategies to improve outcomes, and to develop future leaders that are passionate about serving those with IDD. Through the Project Leadership Challenge, I look forward to gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to help affect positive change at an organizational level.”

Jeff Branch

“I am interested because there are always new things to learn, new ways to learn, and different perspectives from which to learn.  I am on the back side of my career and hope to learn better ways to empower those who come after me.”

Ashley Alonzo

“My interest in the Texas Leadership Institute challenge comes from goals I have set for myself and my future. I would like to say I am an ambitious woman and to promote growth within myself to be a better leader I am eager to learn new ways to communicate effectively, create better visions and goals for my team, establish reassurance, and resolve challenges to preserve a great working environment.”

Candice Moore

“During the last 10 years in Risk Management, my supervisor taught me to be independent, self-efficient, and so many more things.  I gradually moved up in the department and after his very sad departure into retirement life, I was hired to fill his very large shoes.  Every day I ask myself how he would handle this situation or that situation.  I remember all of the things he taught me over the 10 years of working for him and try my hardest to follow in his supervisory role and education and lead my staff to become better leaders just as I was taught; with compassion, grace, ethics and understanding.”  

Richard Chamberlain

“I would like to express my strong interest in the Project Leadership Challenge: Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders Working with Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. This program's focus on addressing critical leadership gaps in the IDD field and driving organizational transformation deeply resonates with me. As a dedicated leader within a public health municipal organization, I believe that this initiative offers a unique opportunity to enhance my leadership skills, collaborate with like-minded professionals, and make a significant positive impact on the lives of individuals with IDD.”

Erika Martinez

“I am honored to join the Project Leadership Project because I am aware of my limitations and the fact that I do not possess all-encompassing knowledge on these topics. I recognize the importance of continuous learning, embracing diverse perspectives, and considering various aspects. While I may not possess direct personal experiences, I am driven to become a passionate supporter, guided by the principles of empathy and love, which are central to my daily approach.”

Christine Reyes

“I am keenly interested in attending the Project Leadership Challenge because I recognize the transformative potential it holds for leaders like me. My vision is not just confined to bringing about change within the City of Laredo, but to also influence other organizations and agencies to adopt a more inclusive approach. By participating in the Project Leadership Challenge, I believe I will acquire the necessary skills and insights to provide technical assistance, fostering an environment where inclusivity is not just a goal, but an embedded ethos. The knowledge and networking opportunities from this experience will be invaluable in guiding these organizations towards a future where every individual, irrespective of their abilities, feels valued and supported.”

Carla Alvarez

“An organization's leadership requires a unique set of abilities to provide the needed resources and services for our communities with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). My organization continuously tries to strive toward providing the best. One of the many strengths exhibited by my leadership is that of empathy. They understand the unique challenges faced by individuals with IDD and their families. Even when they need to be more knowledgeable about specific challenges, they can learn and expand on that understanding. They are also great advocates. They try to find new and innovative ways to create inclusive environments and provide equal access to support the IDD community. Furthermore, although our organization may face setbacks, they provide the resiliency to remain committed to the mission.”

Jose Avila

“I am excited to attend the Project Leadership Challenge as I believe it will provide me with an excellent opportunity to enhance my leadership skills in the IDD field. My aim is to build upon my existing skills and acquire new ones that can help me better support individuals within the IDD community. I look forward to the challenge of developing my abilitie s as a le ader within my organization.”

Sasscha Willis

“I am interested in attending the Project Leadership Challenge because I want to grow as a leader for those we serve and my workplace as a whole. I am excited to get formal training on tasks that are expected of leaders in the IDD field. In General Revenue, funding for services is very scarce, ICF placement is limited, or are quick to put individuals out because of behaviors, and everyone can't go to HCS. Hence, the ability to think outside the box and tap into community resources is very important. I want to gain skills and knowledge to support my team, which would allow them to better support the individuals we serve. I have had a seasoned supervisor retire recently, and I wish was able to work directly with her longer to gain the abundance of knowledge she has.” 

Carolina Lasso

“I am interested in attending Project Leadership Challenge because I want to be a forward thinker and be able to implement positive change for the world of IDD as we see it today, which has changed immensely within the past few years.”

Tanya Sanders

“I am interested in attending the Project Leadership Challenge to improve my knowledge and skills as well as collaborating with other Local Authorities. The Project Leadership Challenge will allow me to be able to strengthen my team with best practices learned at this training.  I am both excited and honored to attend.” 

Amanda Morphew

“As someone with less than a decade of experience in my professional career, I am extremely excited about the prospect of participating in the Project Leadership Challenge. I firmly believe that continuous learning and personal growth are essential for success in any field. This challenge represents an exceptional opportunity to enhance my skill set, cultivate leadership qualities, and further develop as a professional. Given my past experiences attending leadership conferences, I am aware of the immense value they offer. These events not only provide access to valuable information but also serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas and strategies. They challenge participants to apply skills that may not find regular use in their day-to-day work, making them expand their horizons and pushing them beyond their comfort zones. Importantly, this growth is not confined to individual development; it has the potential to motivate organizational growth and facilitate the implementation of impactful policy changes, benefiting the broader community we serve.” 

Katheleen Chaney

“I believe it's always important to expand your knowledge and leadership skills. I want to be able to be a good supervisor for my employees and a great advocate for those we serve. I believe in any position, especially my role, longevity in the job provides a safety net and encouragement for the families we serve as they grow familiar with the staff and their rapport with the IDD intake department increases. We want them to be comfortable with knowing they can come to us for help for their loved one.”

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