(1) *The C-Suite Coffee Hours are exclusively for individuals part of the C-Suite at their organizations AND who register for a C-Suite ticket.

(2) Friends and family of individuals graduating are welcome to join us for the ceremony portion of this event. Graduation will be immediately followed by the Incompass Michigan Annual Meeting which is intended for employees of Incompass Michigan members only.

(3) For all members of the Incompass Michigan Workers' Compensation Fund, please RSVP for this luncheon separately.

(4) For any alumni and mentors of the Incompass Michigan Leadership Academy, please RSVP here.

Pre-Recorded Sessions

Will be available to watch on-demand starting July 19.

• The Nonprofit Olympics: What It Takes for Nonprofits to Win a Gold Medal

• Emerging Trends in Disability Employment

• Changes in CARF Standards Since 2020

• MRS & Vocational Rehabilitation’s Emerging Paradigm

• BSBP Innovation – Resilience and Reinvention for Services to Students

• Workforce Development (Invited)

Monday, 7/19

8:00-9:00am ET • C-Suite Coffee Hour on Making Better Decisions through the use of Technology and Data

For C-Suite ticket holders only, your C-Suite ticket grants you access to all five roundtables.
Hosted by Incompass Michigan - Brent Mikulski, Incompass Michigan Board President and CEO/President of Services to Enhance Potential
C-Suite leaders from across the Great Lakes region will meet collectively each morning for a roundtable discussion focused on fresh perspectives and best practice sharing with their peers from other states.

10:00-11:00am ET • Re-Building a Direct Support Workforce in a Post-Pandemic Environment

Joseph M. Macbeth, President & CEO, National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals

For more than four decades, direct support professionals have been supporting people with disabilities across every community in the country; helping people build and maintain relationships, supporting employment opportunities, supporting skills to live independently, supporting the unique and dignified contributions that build inclusive communities and promoting self-directed lives. Then, almost suddenly in early 2020, everything changed and community (where the work is done) was, for the most part closed. Over the course of the past year (or more), direct support professionals re-defined their jobs without a road map, supporting social distancing, educating about the needs of personal protective equipment, dealing with issues pertaining to daily schedule changes, using new technology to build relationships, and of course, keeping people who are three times more likely to die from the COVID-19 virus, healthy and safe. As with all crises, direct support professionals rose to the occasion and exceeded expectations. As we emerge from these dark days, how will the I/DD system, funders and policy makers recognize these “heroes”? What opportunities are there to finally address this decades-long workforce “crisis”? This session will provide reflection from the pandemic and solution-driven ideas to finally create the hallmarks of a meaningful career for our workforce.

3:00-4:00pm ET • Social Enterprise: Using the Power of the Marketplace to Fuel Social Impact

Belinda Li, Founder / CEO & Chief Consultant CiTTA Partnership

A social enterprise is an organization whose purpose is to change the world for the common good and it does so by incorporating a market-based earned income business model. While this business concept is not new, it has been increasingly embraced by both not-for-profit organizations and for-profit companies, as well as by younger generations of consumers and employees. Social enterprise provides an opportunity for companies and organizations alike to both do good and do well. In this presentation, leader in the field of social enterprise, Belinda Li, will introduce the concept of social enterprise and different business model ideas complete with case examples, and explore some key considerations for organizations interested in starting a social enterprise.

At the end of this session, you will:

• Gain a better understanding of the definition of a “social enterprise”
• Learn about the many different business models that a social enterprise can undertake
• Explore some case examples to bring the concept to life
• Learn the potential benefits and impact through social enterprise
• Be able to start sketching out some business model ideas
• Learn what to consider as you explore starting a social enterprise

4:00-5:00pm ET • Happy Hour Networking

Connect with your peers from across the Great Lakes Region!

Tuesday, 7/20

8:00-9:00am ET • C-Suite Coffee Hour on Leadership

For C-Suite ticket holders only, your C-Suite ticket grants you access to all five roundtables.
Hosted by Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities - Nanette Hagedorn, VP of Member Services at INARF and John Barth, INARF President & CEO
C-Suite leaders from across the Great Lakes region will meet collectively each morning for a roundtable discussion focused on fresh perspectives and best practice sharing with their peers from other states.

10:00-11:00am ET • Enhancing Remote Service Delivery: The avail® Pilot

Panelists:

• Sarah George, Director of Mission Initiatives at Peckham, Inc
• Terrie Hylton, Competitve Integrated Employment Manager at Services to Enhance Potential
• Kimberly Pietrylka-Miller, Vice President at New Horizons Rehabilitation Services
• Janonne Reynolds, Operations Manager at New Horizons Rehabilitation Services
• Mychal Fearncombe, Executive Director at Community Enterprises of St. Clair County
• Hung Jen Kuo Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education at Michigan State University

avail® is a robust, evidence-informed, interactive online platform combining Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) tools, evidence-based interventions and technology to provide customized, remote job coaching for individuals who have intellectual disabilities, Autism, Brain Injury and other cognitive disabilities.

Peckham, Services To Enhance Potential, New Horizons, and Community Enterprises of St. Clair County have formed a partnership, with support from Incompass Michigan, to pilot avail® in 2021.

Dr. Hung Jen Kuo is a research partner on the project, evaluating avail® on its usability and efficacy in helping people become more independent in their work tasks.

This pilot provides an innovative way to address the digital divide facing people with significant disabilities and to support remote service delivery at a time when we are all looking to expand our remote service capabilities.

Noon ET • Behavioral Health Update

Allen Jansen, Deputy Director, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration (BHDDA) with welcome by Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

Bonus Live session! Jansen will provide an update on agency priorities, services provided through public mental health system, partnerships with Incompass Michigan member organizations, and the vision for the future of service delivery.

3:00-4:00pm ET • Inclusive Leadership and Organizational Belonging

Freda Sampson, MFA, CDP

Inclusive leaders are leaders who are aware of their own biases and preferences and actively consider other perspectives to inform decisions and to assure a culture of belonging and psychological safety. This session will look aat the six "C's" of inclusive leadership and the impact on individual and organizational belonging.

Wednesday, 7/21

8:00-9:00am ET • C-Suite Coffee Hour on Workforce and Innovative Approaches to the Staffing Crisis

For C-Suite ticket holders only, your C-Suite ticket grants you access to all five roundtables.
Hosted by Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA) - Scott Marks, Director of Operations at OPRA
C-Suite leaders from across the Great Lakes region will meet collectively each morning for a roundtable discussion focused on fresh perspectives and best practice sharing with their peers from other states.

10:00-11:00am ET • Employment Law Update 2021

Lindsay Raymond, Partner & Owner at Danbrook Adams Raymond PLC

Lindsay discusses recent updates to employment laws and practices governing the workplace, including compliance with federal pandemic legislation, remote work policies and issues, in-person and hybrid work considerations, best practices for hiring and separation during this rapidly-changing job market, and more

3:00-4:00pm ET • Michigan Legislative Update

Panelists:

• Jon Smalley, Member at MHSA 
• Representative Mary Whiteford
• Senator Curtis Hertel, Jr.

4:00-5:00pm ET • Incompass Michigan Leadership Academy Alumni/Mentor Event

For any alumni and mentors of the Incompass Michigan Leadership Academy, please RSVP here.

Thursday, 7/22

8:00-9:00am ET • C-Suite Coffee Hour on Advocacy

For C-Suite ticket holders only, your C-Suite ticket grants you access to all five roundtables.
Hosted by Lisa Davidson, CEO of Disability Service Provider Network (Wisconsin)
C-Suite leaders from across the Great Lakes region will meet collectively each morning for a roundtable discussion focused on fresh perspectives and best practice sharing with their peers from other states.

10:00-11:00am ET • How Coaching can Develop and Retain Top Talent Through the Chaos

Emily Phipps, Human Resources Consultant at People Matters

In the current tight labor market, organizations are struggling with keeping good employees. To overcome these challenges, HR professionals must look to all facets of their HR program. This session will explain how strong supervisor coaching skills support not only employee development but also employee retention. Participants will learn a simple, effective coaching process as well as the competencies needed for effective coaching. Discover how employee development and employee retention improves through developing your supervisors’ coaching skills. Understand the skills and competencies needed for effective coaching. Discover an easy coaching method to use right away.

Noon ET • Incompass Michigan Workers' Compensation Fund Annual Meeting

For all members of the Incompass Michigan Workers' Compensation Fund, please RSVP for this luncheon separately.

3:00-4:00pm ET • "A Leader Always Sets the Trail for Others to Follow"

Jennifer Grace, Executive Director of Arnold Center

• Know the way (mission)
• Show the way (mentoring)
• Go the way (take action)

The looming questions are how do we lead our organizations during times that we do not have historical data, no experience to draw from, no map, no trail? How do successful leaders find the right direction on the compass to follow in times of uncertainty and the unknown?

The answers to these challenging questions are best answered by engaging in conversations with leaders who have had to navigate the uncharted waters and circumstance and yet found the “undiscovered countries.”

Jennifer will share with you what she has garnered from in-depth discussions and conversations with other industry leaders on how they lead mission-driven organizations during challenging times to get on the path of prosperity. Jennifer will reveal the importance of “mentoring” and why “sitting still” is never an option.

She will also talk about the power of “opportunity” during this past year of COVID that the Arnold Center used to push their mission forward.

Friday, 7/23

8:00-9:00am ET • C-Suite Coffee Hour on Organizational Recovery

For C-Suite ticket holders only, your C-Suite ticket grants you access to all five roundtables.
Hosted by Joshua Evans, President & CEO of Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF)
C-Suite leaders from across the Great Lakes region will meet collectively each morning for a roundtable discussion focused on fresh perspectives and best practice sharing with their peers from other states.

10:00-11:00am ET • Leadership Graduations and Incompass Michigan Annual Meeting

Incompass Michigan Leadership Academy and The Leadership Continuum Graduation ceremonies, followed by the Incompass Michigan Members Annual Meeting.

Friends and family of individuals graduating are welcome to join us for the ceremony portion of this event. Graduation will be immediately followed by the Incompass Michigan Annual Meeting which is intended for employees of Incompass Michigan members only.

Pre-Recorded Sessions, Available On Demand Starting July 19

The Nonprofit Olympics: What It Takes for Nonprofits to Win a Gold Medal

Tim Delaney, President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits

When athletes deplane in Japan to compete at the Summer Olympics, most will try to visit and assess the landscape where they’ll be competing – is the track hard or spongy, the marathon route flat or hilly, the beach volleyball sand retaining heat or water? The same is true with nonprofits, which compete in our own form of Olympics every day: we need to understand the landscape where we operate. But that’s not all; athletes and nonprofits alike also need mental models and solid plans if they hope to medal at their events. This conference session will not provide you with time to practice your Nonprofit Olympic skills, whether in archery – to shoot straight with funders to win gold for your mission; canoe slaloming – to navigate through the turbulent white-water rapids of policy proposals threatening to flip you over; or running the marathon – to meet more human needs by doing so much more for so many more with so much less for so much longer. But it will provide you with an overview of the current landscape on which nonprofits operate, insights on emerging national trends influencing nonprofits and philanthropy, and factors to consider when doing mental gymnastics to twist, flip, and rotate your business model so you can plan how you’ll stick the landing to win gold.

Emerging Trends in Disability Employment 

The Honorable Jon Porter and Alicia Epstein, Manager Policy, Government Affairs at SourceAmerica

Hear from SourceAmerica policy subject matter experts speak about emerging trends impacting disability employment. The session will cover most recent key policy issues impacting employment for people with disabilities nationally. The presenters will also provide an update about the AbilityOne Program.

Changes in CARF Standards Since 2020

Pete Hathaway, Managing Director, Employment and Community Services and Vision Rehabilitation Services

This presentation will discuss changes in CARF standards that have occurred since 2020, including changes in both the 2020 and 2021 CARF Employment and Community Services Standards Manuals. The Digitally Enabled Site Surveys (DESS) will also be addressed.

MRS & Vocational Rehabilitation’s Emerging Paradigm

• Tina Fullerton, MRS Bureau Director
• Bill Colombo, MRS Deputy Director
• Jonathan Bischoff, MRS Department Specialist

The presentation features MRS’s mission, vision, and the path forward under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). 

Highlights include actionable goals, key stakeholder relationships that empower customers, and maximizing measurable outcomes.

Specifically, areas of focus will include national and state updates, the evolution of vocational rehabilitation under WIOA, performance measures that matter, the bureau’s strategic plan, as well as opportunities for and alignment with WIOA core and strategic partners.

Participants will have a greater understanding of MRS’s strategies and priorities given the many presenting program requirements, including the considerations for the current environment in which Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services are being provided.  This may help service providers enhance collaborative efforts with the public VR system to maximize potential and opportunity for competitive integrated employment and support to our dual customers, individuals with disabilities and businesses.  

BSBP Innovation – Resilience and Reinvention for Services to Students

• Lisa Kisiel, Division Director Field Services
• Shannon McVoy, Statewide Transition Services Manager
• Juan Ortiz, Division Director BSBP Training Center

This presentation highlights innovative BSBP programming resulting from the disruption of in-person services to students with a visual disability. Learn from BSBP’s virtual curricula development, accommodations to students, challenges, adaptation of services as BSBP navigated the pandemic and BSBP emergence from early challenges as the Training Center re-opened and fee for service providers began to re-engage students. Also, learn about innovative upcoming pre-employment transition services (STEM) and the emphasis on family engagement.

Workforce Development

Marcia Black-Watson, Industry Engagement Division Administrator Workforce Development Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO)

Jonathan Bischoff, Michigan Rehabilitation Services Department Specialist 

Jonathan Bischoff is a Department Specialist and administrative support to the bureau leadership.  He has formerly held counseling and business relations consultant positions within MRS.  He is a nationally certified and state licensed rehabilitation counselor.  His professional interests include disability awareness, talent recruitment strategies, accessibility, assistive technology, return-to-work and accommodation strategies.  In addition, he is a member of the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA).  Jonathan earned his bachelor’s degree in communication arts and sciences and master’s in rehabilitation counseling from Michigan State University. 

Bill Colombo, Michigan Rehabilitation Services Deputy Director 

Bill has 26 years at Michigan Rehabilitation Services with a diverse mix of experiences leading to his current position as the bureau’s deputy director. Bill’s professional hallmarks include collaboration, creativity, innovation and the willingness to go the extra mile. Bill has a master’s degree in counseling from Western Michigan University.  He lives in Traverse City with his wife and three boys.  When he isn’t working, you’ll find Bill camping, hiking, and fishing with family and friends.    

Tim Delaney, President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits

Tim Delaney is President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, the leading advocate and trusted resource for America’s charitable nonprofits. The Council connects the nation’s largest network of nonprofits – including the Michigan Nonprofit Association and its members – to champion the work of charitable nonprofits. Tim is a seasoned attorney and policy advocate who has successfully argued in the U.S. Supreme Court, testified before Congress, and negotiated in the White House. He now applies his diverse leadership experiences to help charitable nonprofits across the country identify emerging trends, engage in critical policy issues, exchange proven practices, and advance their missions through advocacy.

Alicia Epstein, Manager Policy, Government Affairs at SourceAmerica

Alicia has more than fifteen years experience in disability employment policy and advocacy within the nonprofit sector and Federal government. She is the policy manager for SourceAmerica Government Affairs where she advocates key public policies impacting the AbilityOne Program and people with disabilities.

Prior to her current role, she served as senior manager in disability policy at SourceAmerica. In this role, she tracks key public policy issues impacting employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities. She also pursues efforts to influence and initiate disability policy legislation and regulations that enhances employment opportunities for people with disabilities through key stakeholders in Congress, Administration, and the Disability community.

She also serves as a co-chair of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Employment and Training Task Force. CCD is a largest coalition of national organizations working together to advocate for federal public policy that ensures the self-determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society.

Before coming to SourceAmerica, Alicia worked as a research analyst at the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) where she managed a case study on how people with disabilities are served through the Workforce Development System and a communication initiative project which promotes the use of effective communication tools in the Workforce Development System.

Alicia graduated with Masters in Public Administration from American University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Professional Technical Communication from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Mychal Fearncombe, Executive Director at Community Enterprises of St. Clair County

Mychal began working for Community Enterprises of St. Clair County in 1988 as a direct care worker and has held a variety of positions until assuming her current position in 2016. Mychal earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Walden University and her BBL from Baker College.

Tina Fullerton, Michigan Rehabilitation Services  Bureau Director

Tina has extensive background working with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS).  Over the past 28 years she has worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in Iosco County, Site Manager for the Alpena/Gaylord site offices, Program Innovation Manager, Deputy Division Director and most recently as a Division Manager for the Western, Central and Northern Division.  Prior to her experience with MRS, she worked for 12 years for Michigan Works! as a Career Development Counselor.  She has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master's in guidance and counseling, both earned at Central Michigan University. 

Sarah George, Director of Mission Initiatives at Peckham, Inc.

Sarah has worked at Peckham since 1999. In her current role, She provides strategic thinking and clinical expertise in the research, design, implementation and evaluation of programs and services that support Peckham’s mission to maximize human potential for people striving for independence and self-sufficiency. Sarah earned her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from Michigan State University and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She also holds a BSW from Western Michigan University.

Jennifer Grace, Executive Director of Arnold Center

Jennifer is a graduate of the Incompass Michigan Leadership Academy and currently serves as an Emerging Leader on the Board of Directors. Jennifer has worked in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation for over twenty-five years and has served in several different compacities; Job Coach, Job Developer, Benefits Specialist, Workforce Development, and Program Director.

Jennifer values the connectiveness of the Community Rehabilitation Organizations that Incompass Michigan represents. She believes that it is this interconnectedness that allows us to uplift and advance the lives of the individuals with disabilities. She also firmly believes in the power of the “team approach” that truly mirrors the words of Hellen Keller…”Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”.

Pete Hathaway, Managing Director, Employment and Community Services and Vision Rehabilitation Services

Pete has more than 25 years of experience in the rehabilitation field. Before joining CARF as a full-time staff member in 2006, Pete served as a CARF surveyor for 11 years. He has managed community-based services for adults and children with disabilities and their families and has also been a contract manager for a state governmental agency.

State Senator Curtis Hertel, Jr.

Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. has a long history of fighting for issues that matter most to Michigan’s families. He was elected to the Ingham County Commission at the age of 22, where he championed the county’s living wage ordinance and led the charge for the Ingham County Health Plan, which became a model around the country. As the county’s Register of Deeds, he fought for people who had fallen victim to predatory lending and foreclosure scams, and helped shield residents from foreclosure fraud.

In the state Senate, Hertel is a leader in the fight against the epidemic of sexual assault, specifically on our college campuses. He is working to change the culture by advocating for required education on affirmative consent, and has made headway to include affirmative consent as part of a multifaceted solution.

He has also successfully ushered through legislation that paved the way to a quicker and more viable process for organ donations, cracked down on predatory mailings and removed the derogatory terminology of ‘crippled children’ from our state’s laws.

Additionally, Hertel worked to improve access and affordability to health care for those who need it most, and was instrumental getting part of the state budget allocated to the First Responders Presumed Coverage Fund.

Hertel previously served as Minority Vice-Chair of the Senate Committees for Health Policy, Commerce, Regulatory Reform, Banking and Financial Institutions, and the Appropriations Sub-Committee for Higher Education. He has also served as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Appropriations Sub-Committee for the Department of Health and Human Services, Appropriations Sub-Committee for Capital Outlay, and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

The senator is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College.

He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in East Lansing with their four children, CJ, Nathan, Hailey and Jack, and their dog, Samson.

Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

Previously she was Senior Chief Deputy Director for Administration where she oversaw External Relations and Communications, Financial Operations Administration, Legislative Services, Legal Affairs, Policy & Planning, Strategic Integration, Organizational Services, Workforce Engagement and Community and Faith Engagement.

Hertel joined the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) in 2013 as the senior assistant for Policy and Planning, and in February 2014, was appointed director of Policy and Planning. Following the merger of the Departments of Community Health and Human Services into MDHHS in 2015, Hertel served as senior deputy director for Policy, Planning and Legislative Services. In October 2016, she left that position to serve as director of Michigan Advocacy for Trinity Health and returned to MDHHS as Chief Deputy for Administration in February 2019.

Prior to joining MDCH, Hertel worked as a senior advisor for Health Policy in the state House Republican Policy Office and as a legislative assistant to state Rep. Bruce Caswell. She began her tenure in the House in 2005. In 2010, she worked as a consultant with Public Sector Consultants and then as a policy analyst at Blue Cross Blue Shield. She returned to the House in 2011.

Terrie Hylton, Competitive Integrated Employment Manager, Services to Enhance Potential

Terrie has over 38 years of experience in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. She earned a master’s degree in Higher Education Counseling from Wayne State University and a PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling from Michigan State University.

She has been a rehabilitation counselor, manager, academic counselor, adjunct college professor, program developer, grant writer, public speaker, author, and researcher. She has won numerous awards at the local, state, and national level for her programs, research articles, and professional service.

Allen Jansen, Deputy Director, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration (BHDDA)

Allen Jansen is the senior deputy director of the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration, where he oversees services in Michigan for those with behavioral health and developmental disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorder.

Jansen has been engaged in Michigan’s public mental health system for nearly four decades. He began his career as a case manager in Michigan’s first Assertive Community Treatment Team, where he discovered his passion for community inclusion for adults experiencing mental illness. He eventually moved into several senior leadership roles within Michigan’s provider network, with a focus on designing and implementing residential and community-based services to better integrate clients into their community.

As a former chief strategy officer, Jansen worked closely with state lawmakers and MDHHS staff to improve clinical and policy practices. He also served at MDHHS as an interim director of Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital in 2014 before returning to the department in March 2020.

Lisa Kisiel, Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Field Services Division Director

Lisa has provided 26 years of service to persons who are blind or visually impaired. Lisa is a graduate of Western Michigan University's Clinical Social Work Program. She has served as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for 16 years, has been part of BSBP's Management Team since 2010, and has served on BSBP's Executive Management Team since 2013. Lisa has been part of the WIOA implementation team for BSBP and is has a comprehensive knowledge of the VR program.

Hung Jen Kuo, Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education at Michigan State University

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.

Belinda Li, Founder / CEO & Chief Consultant CiTTA Partnership

Belinda Li is Founder, CEO & Chief Consultant of CiTTA Partnership, a boutique business consulting firm where social impact meets business strategy. CiTTA helps nonprofits, businesses and social enterprises create greater social impact in a financially sustainable way – doing good and doing well. CiTTA achieves that mission by improving clients’ business models and practices, and by educating and engaging clients’ stakeholders to cultivate champions and supporters. Main services provided by CiTTA include: growth strategy, business modeling, go-to-market strategy & implementation, web-based solutions, and impact evaluation. Prior to founding CiTTA, Belinda had worked at Civic Consulting Alliance, McKinsey & Company, General Electric Healthcare, and the academia.

Belinda currently serves as Vice Chair on the Social Enterprise Alliance (National) Board. She is also a Board member at-large at the Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund. In addition, Belinda is an active member of the Chicago Sustainability Leaders Network, Association of Consultants to Nonprofits, and Forefront. Belinda holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a Ph.D. in Medical Physics from the University of London, UK.

Joseph M. Macbeth, President & CEO, National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals

Joseph M. Macbeth is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and the first employee hired by the organization in 2011. He has worked in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for 38 years - beginning as a Direct Support Professional.  In addition to authoring and co-authoring several publications regarding workforce issues and sitting on non-profit boards, Macbeth was appointed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as a Member of the Advisory Council for the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs in 2016. Last year, he was appointed to the Editorial Board for Exceptional Parent Magazine and most recently  he was added as an honoree for the 20th Anniversary Historic Recognition Project sponsored by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) recognizing distinguished leaders in the field.

Shannon McVoy, Statewide Transition Services Manager for the Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

Shannon received her Masters degrees in Blind Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Counseling from Western Michigan University. She served as the ODEP High School High Tech (HSHT) program coordinator at the Georgia Division of Rehabilitation Services and assisted in obtaining and implementing a System’s Change Grant to bring the HSHT model to the state of Michigan. Shannon has worked in a variety of capacities at BSBP but has always had a passion for providing quality transition services to students who are blind and visually impaired.

Juan F. Ortiz, Director of the Training Center for the Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

Juan has spent his entire adult career in the service of others through his various professional positions in healthcare and state government combining 24-years of experience. Juan holds a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, minor in Chemistry, master’s in Business Administration, and is a certified Project Management Professional. Juan has received various recognition awards throughout his career. He is focused on improving the quality of services in a dual customer approach and serves on various boards.

Kimberly Pietrylka-Miller, Vice President at New Horizons Rehabilitation Services

Kimberly has worked at New Horizons since 2011. 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.

Emily Phipps, Human Resources Consultant at People Matters

Emily Phipps has over 19 years of experience in human resources. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Southeastern Louisiana University and is a certified PHR and SHRM-CP.

Emily has served as a strategic HR business partner to leadership teams and led core HR functions such as talent acquisition, talent management, and performance management. She has a wealth of experience in all HR disciplines including recruiting and selection, policy development, compensation, HR compliance, employee relations, employee engagement and development, succession planning, and change management. She has supported both labor and non-labor organizations.

Emily enjoys designing and delivering HR solutions that help businesses meet their objectives and create environments where employees can succeed.

Honorable Jon Porter

Congressman Jon Porter (ret.) is the founding member and CEO of PORTER GROUP, a bipartisan government relations, lobbying, public affairs, and business consulting firm with offices on Capitol Hill. Jon possesses a unique set of skills built upon 30-plus years of experience in business, public policy, and politics. In addition to PORTER GROUP, Jon has built and run a large and highly successful financial services company and has achieved multiple terms in elected office as a city councilman, mayor, state senator and, most recently, a three-term United States Congressman from Southern Nevada.

As a United States Congressman, Jon served on the powerful Ways and Means Committee (the chief tax writing committee in Congress), the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and its Subcommittees on Aviation and Rails, as well as the Committee on Education and the Workforce. He was the Chairman of the Federal Workforce Subcommittee and Co-chairman of the U.S. Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus where he was instrumental in the introduction and passage of the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (later known as “Brand USA”) which created the Corporation for Travel Promotion, a public-private partnership that still exists today and promotes tourism in the United States. While in office, Congressman Porter also was instrumental in bringing about funding for numerous transportation, construction, and infrastructure projects.

Having experienced the pressures of running a business and holding political office, Jon has an exceptional depth of understanding and empathy that enables him to find pathways for solutions to complex issues that are not always apparent. This quality is amplified by the sizable network of bipartisan and trusted relationships he has built over the years with decision makers at the highest level of business, government, and political leadership. The combination of these attributes have enabled him to connect people to new opportunities, find unique pathways to government and legislative solutions, and provide deep insights for those who are pursuing ventures or expanding into new business models.

Through strong leadership, Jon has built a team of smart and experienced professionals at PORTER GROUP who handle an extensive portfolio of policy, legislative and regulatory matters. With wide versatility, PORTER GROUP handles all manner of consulting for domestic and international businesses, local and regional governments and government agencies, and business/trade associations and other non-profits, in areas such as technology, transportation, infrastructure, travel and tourism, aviation, insurance, healthcare, energy, defense, public lands, education, media, and communications. Jon and his team also have an expertise and a special passion for serving organizations that help persons with disabilities to advance within the workforce.

Congressman Porter’s Board and Council affiliations have included Chairman and Trustee, Las Vegas Events; Charter Board Member, Southern Nevada Water Authority; Board of Directors, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Board of Directors, Nevada League of Cities; Civilian Military Council, Nellis Air Force Base; Board of Governors, The Valley Health System; Board of Directors, Farmers New World Life Insurance; and Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Jon is a keyboard player and has been playing in bands since junior high – including a group of bipartisan congressmen that that toured military bases in Europe and the Middle East when he was in Congress. His outside interests include all things family, music, and boating.

Lindsay Raymond, Partner & Owner at Danbrook Adams Raymond PLC

As an experienced employment and labor law attorney, Lindsay represents employers in all aspects of employment litigation and matters governing the workplace. She counsels employers regarding the development and implementation of management practices to avoid employee-related liability, and regularly conducts workplace investigations and trainings. Lindsay serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan, the Grant Review Chair of the Board of Directors for Impact100 Traverse City, and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Traverse Area Human Resources Association.

Janonne Reynolds, Operations Manager at New Horizons Rehabilitation Services

She has worked at New Horizons since 2014. In her current role, she directly assists Administration and Management to improve overall organizational efficiency by implementing operational processes/procedures as it relates to Employment First initiatives. Janonne acts as the agency’s liaison for New Horizons Board of Trustees and coordinates all official board and committee meetings.  She also assists with large project initiation/implementation to meet the needs of the individuals served as well as accomplishing the agency’s mission. Janonne earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from Oakland University in 2013.

Freda Sampson, MFA, CDP

Freda is a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategist with significant experience in corporate, non‐profit, governmental, academic and faith based entities. She is committed to bridging racial and cultural divisions through community engagement, advocacy, and organizational development. Her skill set is diversity & inclusion, cultural competency training, project development, and implementation. She has operated in leadership positions in corporate settings implementing DEI organization wide. 

Freda is also an entrepreneur and previously owned and operated several coffeehouses in Detroit.  Currently, she is the owner of Vision Publishing, and Pause Detroit – a virtual café for the soul. She is the president of the Frederick G. Sampson Foundation a 501c3 named after her father.  The Foundation’s mission focuses on theological education and social justice.

Finally, Freda has a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Tennessee State University, and an Associate of Arts Degree from Brooks School of Design in Long Beach, CA. In 2016, she received her certification as a qualified administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory. Her professional development has ranged from leadership courses with New Detroit’s Multicultural Leadership Program, Harvard University School of Divinity Leadership Program, Leadership Detroit, Class XXXIII, and University of Michigan’s Worldview Seminar on World religions. 

Jon Smalley, Member at MHSA

Jon Smalley has worked at MHSA since 1991, became a partner in the firm in 1995, and a co-owner of MHSA in 2001. Jon has spent his entire career working in “the process,” specializing in appropriations, procurement and legislative matters.

Jon’s many areas of expertise include: the full continuum of health care policy and funding (physical, long term care and behavioral); regulatory issues; education reform; employment issues; child welfare reform; local government issues; Information Technology solutions; tribal issues; gaming issues and procurement.

Jon is consistently ranked as a ‘Top Ten’ lobbyist by Inside Michigan Politics, a trusted publication of political and policy issues in Michigan. This honor is voted on bi-annually by key members of the Governor’s staff and policy makers within State departments and the Legislature.

State Representative Mary Whiteford

State Rep. Mary Whiteford was first elected to serve the 80th District in the Michigan House of Representatives in March 2016. 

Committees: Rep. Whiteford serves as chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, as well as vice chair of the full Appropriations Committee. In addition, she also serves as a member of the Health Policy Committee and the Joint Capitol Outlay Committee.

Education: Whiteford earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University.

Professional: Whiteford worked in a pediatric neurosurgery unit before working in a pediatric emergency unit. In 1997 she started an accounting business with her husband, Kevin. They now run their own financial planning firm.

Public Office and Affiliations: Whiteford was an active volunteer in her children’s schools, ran homeowner associations, was appointed to city committees and was appointed to the Michigan Women’s Commission where she worked on raising human trafficking awareness.

Personal: Rep. Whiteford grew up in the Midwest, in the small town of Cary, Illinois and is the oldest of four children. She met her husband, Kevin, in college and they have three adult children and two grandchildren. Whiteford and her husband live in Casco Township.

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Therap is the industry leader in providing electronic records and documentation in long-term care services for people with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities. Therap is a web-based application suite that was designed to provide a comprehensive solution for the planning, documentation, reporting, communication and billing needs of organizations supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in home and community-based services (HCBS) and other settings. Click here to watch a webinar from Therap or visit their website at TherapServices.net to learn more. 

Incompass Michigan Member to Member Awards, Working Together to Achieve Inclusive Communities

Incompass Michigan recognizes that cooperation, partnership and leadership are key to the success of our association. We value every member and what they add to the collective - empowering each other and strengthening our industry as a whole. This year, we're introducing two opportunities for members to celebrate the power of this connectivity...  

Incompass Michigan Impactful Mentor Award

Recognition of an Impactful Mentor gives distinction to a leader within an Incompass Michigan member organization who provided outstanding mentorship to an individual from another Incompass Michigan member organization. The mentorship may have been created within the Leadership Academy structure, or it could be an independently developed peer mentor relationship.

Learn more at https://forms.gle/Vbj3axZLoSpHH7sHA

Incompass Michigan Essence of Collaboration Awards

The Essence of Collaboration Awards give distinction to member organizations (or individuals from a member organization) who took specific, meaningful action in support of another member, or a group of members, to the benefit of all.  

Learn more at https://forms.gle/iojuquRLXehWoMn97

NOMINATIONS FOR BOTH AWARDS ARE DUE BY JUNE 30 for recognition at the 2021 Incompass Michigan Leadership Conference.