Year Four

Participants

Austin State Supported Living Center Group Photo

Warren Wagner

“I am interested in attending the Project Leadership Challenge course because I think it is crucial to have a plan of action that will combat the unique challenges that we face in the IDD world. There are so many new and environmental and social factors that affect our delivery when working with the IDD population. A strategic plan must be implemented to address the societal climate with regards to IDD organizations.”

Sean Bennett

“My personal story concerning Leadership in the field of IDD was when I first started working at my current facility as a direct support professional. After being on the job for about five months, the home I worked in ended up losing the supervisor. I was tasked by my higher-ups to fill in until the supervisor returned. I showed my leadership by working hard. I trained new staff on how to work with individuals with IDD."

Goodwill Group Photo

Kari Frost

“The Project Leadership Challenge provides a wonderful opportunity for Goodwill leaders to transform the organization's management skills to better serve and lead staff with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Personally, I look forward to learning innovative methods to bring positive change to the organization from the inside-out. Improved services to the IDD population will strengthen Goodwill's internal accountability and provide additional benefits to the community.”

Jennifer Roberts

“I am interested in attending Project Leadership Challenge because I have personally seen how limited the opportunities for people with disabilities can be. Whether it is due to lack of education, time, or motivation, I have seen individuals with disabilities get dropped off at a day center, medicated, or if given the opportunity to work, placed in menial, repetitive employment like picking up trash and janitorial work. There is a lot of talent being left on the table due to lack of support, imagination, and willingness to invest the time and resources needed to tap into the strengths of the individuals.

As a manager for Goodwill Industries of NW Texas Career Resource Center, I want to ensure my team is equipped with top-notch skills to help individuals with IDD discover and develop their strengths, skills, and abilities needed to find employment that provides a purpose, meaning, and enjoyment.

I want to learn and coach my team on strategies to develop relationships with and effectively educate employers on the value of digging in to find the brilliant talent that is often hidden behind preconceived ideas of what employees look like and how they behave.

I look forward to this amazing opportunity to gain experience and grow as a leader, but moreover, I look forward to seeing the remarkable success stories to come out of this.”

Imagine Art Group Photo

Debbie Kiser

“I have been working in the arena of disability/IDD services since I graduated from college in 1989. My early work focused on supported employment and in 1996 I founded a nonprofit organization serving artists with disabilities. I have since served as the Founder for Imagine Art - an organization that provides an array of services to people with disabilities, including those with DD/IDD. My interest in Project Leadership is focused on raising up our next generation leaders who will carry forward the vision of Imagine Art - ensuring that our values are upheld and that our goals and activities align with our vision and mission. This generation does not have formal training or support around the key values that I was trained on in the 90's - such as person-centered planning, etc.”

Rick Hernandez

“My personal history regarding working people with IDD is primarily restricted to my work at Imagine Art that began in 2019. While I interact with clients my role is as an administrator and supervisor of individuals who provide direct service as part of an AmeriCorps Program. Early in my career I had significant experience in working with the disabled directly as an Artist in Residence in school districts, and juvenile and adult correctional facilities throughout Texas. These individuals were not identified or segregated by their diagnosis, they were all placed in "special needs" classes.

I believe that there is always something to learn. Even though I have administered programs that serve youth and adults since the 1970's, I do realize that policies, procedures and strategies change. I believe there are new things to learn through this training.”

Alyssa Boyd

“I have seven years of experience working in both non-profit and Christian ministry and have held several leadership positions throughout that time. However, I am newer to the field of IDD. I began working with Imagine Art in 2020 and have learned much throughout my time here. I recently stepped into the role of Program Director for Imagine Art's Long-Term Care Program. I am interested in attending the Project Leadership Challenge because I am eager to continue to develop leadership skills, especially as I begin a new leadership role in this field.”

Amy Utter

“Project Leadership Challenge is an opportunity to enhance communication skills within an organization. Outside of each individuals role, a cohesive vision, supportive team, and a safe, respectful workplace are essential. As a relatively new team, we do have our struggles. We hope PLC can be part of our path to long term success.”

Let's Go Texas Group Photo

Cecilia Gutierrez

Let's Go Texas offers a range of services to help people overcome barriers to competitive employment, including training in personal social adjustment, employability skills and even “soft skills, the simple act of a handshake.” This organization also offers supported employment, extra assistance that ensures success after securing a job.

Gutierrez joined Project Leadership Challenge. In November, Gutierrez and members of her organization completed a week of training at Texas Tech. Next, she and her team will work with faculty there to complete a “challenge” transforming her organization to better serve people with I/DD. Gutierrez said she saw the program as an opportunity to learn how to develop policies and procedures that will streamline the organization's current work.

MRMR Terrant County Group Photo

Dr. Laura Golden

“In my current organization, I see many employees struggling to navigate the changing rules, changing resources, and complex demands of the job. My team is able to provide guidance and resources on complex cases, but a lot of the challenge that I see is lack of support and guidance from the employee's supervisor that is coming to my team for help. We have a lot of knowledgeable people in management but, like me when I was fresh out of grad school, was not given training or guidance on how to work with and navigate the challenges of the complexities of people (our staff). I am interested in attending Project Leadership Challenge to help strengthen my organization's management team to be one where employees feel supported and heard when they have a need. I want staff to feel supported by their manager rather than discouraged and isolated.”

Andreina Trujillo

“I enjoy learning new ways to be better; we can improve ourselves daily and learn something new every day. I like being challenged and pushing myself, to see how far I can go. When I was first approached with the opportunity of attending Project Leadership Challenge, it was at the peak of the Pandemic thus put the opportunity on hold. I was excited (still am), because I want to be a better leader for my team and for the agency. I want to invest my time in learning how to better navigate scenarios that involve training, retention of staff, and how to create a humbling atmosphere for the people I will work with, the people I will support, and for myself. I have created good relationships with colleagues, and we support one another through obstacles, but I want to be able to further provide the support and step in when other leaderships members are not there. I hope to gain a better insight on what leadership is and take what our mentors have to offer to apply to my everyday work.”

Pam Brown-Smith

“Over the years, I have gained experience in various roles while working within the field of IDD and believe each one of those roles is essential in making a difference in the lives of others. It has been most rewarding leading both people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as employees. It is my belief that when we as leaders treat employees well and provide the necessary tools and training that are needed, the employees serve the people well. There really are not many differences when you think about it, people are people regardless of disabilities. Most people do well with the absence of fear, celebration of victories, encouragement, examples, models, inspiration, motivation, opportunities, re-direction and most importantly when they feel valued, and this is also true for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

Catherine Carlton

“I am thankful for leadership programs, mentorship and opportunities that I have been afforded in my career and happy to help these young leaders in our agency learn new tools, grow together and further their commitment to working at our agency and in this important field helping those most vulnerable in our community.”