The Career Gateway Program and Tech Classes
Virginia Career Works Northern Region
Am I Eligible?
To participate in SCSEP, you must:
President and Founder of Essays Plus More
Creating a Resume to Reach a Human
Moving Your Resume Beyond Applicant Tracking Systems
Debra Steppel, President and Founder of Essays Plus More, has been helping people present their experience, qualifications, and interests to decision-makers since 1985. As an undergraduate Psychology/Sociology major at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, she held campus jobs as a Career Assistant and Writing Tutor, where she began her career helping students and alumni with their resumes and writing skills, teaching them how to share their experiences in ways that demonstrate transferable skills for future positions. Debra also earned a Masters in Public and Private Management at Yale School of Management, where she focused on Strategy, Marketing, and Organizational Development. Her decades of industry experience span Silicon Valley, government contracting, financial planning, and political marketing. Since last year, she has been helping jobseekers write resumes that will be “found” in a hiring environment where over 98% of hiring organizations now use AI-based Applicant Tracking Systems.
At her happiest when she is helping others achieve their career and educational goals, Debra sees her career as a Coach, Mentor, and Editor to be her way of fulfilling the highest level of Maimonides’ Seven Levels of Charity, which is to help individuals build dignity by finding gainful employment and self-fulfillment.
Debra can be reached at debra@essaysplusmore.com or 703-473-3276. Her company website is https://www.essaysplusmore.com.
Angela Heath is an award-winning entrepreneur and six time author who has trained over 40,000 people 45 and older on how to become self-employed. She teaches professionals how to leverage their expertise to create authority-building assets and business plans that translate into real revenue. Using her business-first approach and simply AI tools, her clients are able to produce books and start businesses quicker based on their expertise and data driven insights. Angela’s company is TKC Incorporated.
Soumya Nukala is a seasoned HR and Talent Acquisition professional with extensive experience in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), recruitment strategy, and operations. With a strong passion for fostering inclusive, innovative, and collaborative work environments, she has successfully designed and led initiatives to source top talent, build diverse teams, and improve candidate experiences across various industries.
Currently serving as a Human Resources Specialist III for Montgomery County Government, Soumya handles recruitment efforts for multiple departments, while also managing the county’s involvement in Project SEARCH, a national program supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. She has also contributed significantly to talent acquisition and DEI efforts in previous roles at Riverbed Technology and NPR, where she developed and executed diversity hiring programs, led employee resource groups, and partnered with organizations to enhance diversity across all levels of the workforce.
In addition to her role in talent acquisition, Soumya is deeply involved in learning and development, coaching, mentoring, and employer branding initiatives. She is skilled in managing complex recruitment processes, sourcing talent through various platforms, and leveraging data analytics to continuously improve recruitment and onboarding functions. Her leadership and consultative approach have helped numerous organizations achieve greater DEI outcomes while building high-performance teams and advancing organizational goals.
Soumya holds an MBA from Georgia College & State University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources, and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Osmania University. She is also certified as a Korn Ferry Leadership Architect and ApHusys HRIS Professional.
Come Join Our team! visit: WORK4MCG—Join the MCG Team (montgomerycountymd.gov)
Debbie Grace Fletcher, SCSEP Case Manager, Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Public Assistance and Employment Services (PAES).
Debbie Fletcher is a Certified Workforce Development Professional. She has been providing employment services to Northern Virginia residents for over nine years through the Department of Family Services. Including Bridges to Success Program and Energy Assistance Program
She currently works with mature job seekers returning to the workforce by developing training opportunities and providing career guidance. Her greatest passion is to empathize with clients, listening, encouraging, and helping them to look for strategies to satisfy their needs.
Computer Security and Privacy Lawyer
Mark Rasch is a lawyer and computer security and privacy expert and a lawyer in Bethesda, Maryland and is the General Counsel of Threat Intelligence firm Unit 221B.
Rasch’s career spans more than 35 years of corporate and government cybersecurity, computer privacy, regulatory compliance, computer forensics and incident response. This includes expertise in GDPR, CCPA, and US and international privacy laws and regulations. Earlier in his career, Rasch was with the U.S. Department of Justice where he led the department’s efforts to investigate and prosecute cyber and high-technology crime, starting the computer crime unit within the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, efforts which eventually led to the creation of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division. He was responsible for various high-profile computer crime prosecutions, including Kevin Mitnick, Kevin Poulsen and Robert Tappan Morris. He was also the Chief Privacy Officer of Fortune 100 company, SAIC and Chief Security Evangelist for Verizon.
Mark has taught white collar crime, computer law, and legal ethics courses, at various institutions and currently teaches a course in computer crime at George Washington University law school.
Mark is a frequent commentator in the media on issues related to information security, and is the author of hundreds of articles about the Internet, Internet privacy, hacking, cryptocurrency, blockchain and ransomware and is an adjunct professor of law at the George Washington University School of Law.
Ann L. Poritzky is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) and Certified Professional Branding Strategist (CPBS) with an MBA in Marketing. Ann has designed and led many classes on résumé writing, interviewing, and other essential career topics. She is known for her creative, dynamic, and empathetic presentation style.
She is a frequent Résumé Reviewer for the Jewish Council on Aging (JCA) Career Gateway program. Previously, Ann gave presentations for JCA 50+ Career Expos and Career Catchers.
She recently provided training for JCA Résumé Reviewers.
Ann Poritzky’s Contact Information
Email: aporitzky@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annporitzky/
Your LinkedIN Driving Instructor, is a LinkedIn trainer, communications strategist, and workforce educator who teaches adults 50andbetter to harness the power of LinkedIn for job searches, career transitions, nonprofit leadership, and encore entrepreneurship.
As the Owner, CEO, and Lead Trainer at Of A Certain Vintage Workforce Education, LLC, Dr. Barnes provides LinkedIn training in partnership with public library systems, workforce and business development organizations, and graduate school and alumni programs throughout the United States.
Dr. Barnes also facilitates the Jewish Council for the Aging’s Career Gateway program, a career development course for 50+ jobseekers, and teaches nonprofit leaders to use LinkedIn for effective donor research and management and board member recruitment and engagement in partnership with the Westchester (NY) Library System.
Dr. Barnes is a graduate of the Leadership Montgomery Encore program, and earned a BA from Yale College, a JD from Stanford Law School, and a doctorate in the history of U.S. foreign policy from the Ohio State University.
Email Dr. Barnes at elisse@vintageworkforce.com or schedule a complimentary 20-minute intro phone call at https://calendly.com/elisse-wright.
Vern is an accomplished Human Resources and Learning and Development professional. He has held senior level positions both as an SVP of HR and as a Chief Learning Officer. He has worked with organizations as diverse as Dunkin Donuts, the American Chemistry Council, the American Bankers Association, and Lee Hecht Harrison. He became a certified trainer for Contacts Count in 2006 and in 2021 bought the company.
Vern has helped numerous individuals – from undergrads to CEO’s improve their ability to build the relationships needed to improve their performance and achieve their professional goals.
Vern holds a master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Change from George Washington University.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vern-schellenger
And a bit more….
Sports junkie. Life-long learner. Laid-back. Career management expert. Networking thought leader. Customer service fanatic. Gym rat. Master trainer. Works hard, plays hard. Patient and Persistent. Sometimes a bit stubborn. Strategic thinker. Music-lover. Dances like nobody’s watching.
Jina believes being truly seen is the most daring thing you can do. As CEO, Jina serves her diverse clients with care, creativity and courage, relishing the development of experiences and services that free audiences and extend beyond the moment.
Throughout her career, her efforts have made enduring impressions that led to profound positive impacts on the lives of thousands.
Jina is a results-oriented leader with proven success in serving diverse clients, developing unique products and services, and creating value for customers, stakeholders
and team members. Previous roles include Director – Diversity & Inclusion, Grant Thornton (GT), President & CEO of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA), and Principal Consultant at EtiennePartners (EP), a boutique consulting firm that offered strategy development, workshops & coaching to leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs.
At GT, Jina managed the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Team responsible for developing and implementing GT’s firm-wide D&I strategy. At NABA, she was responsible for strategic direction, stakeholder relationships, organizational priorities, and managing the day-to-day operation of the Association and its staff.
Jina is a content partner with the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, developing and delivering custom training solutions for their members. She is an author and trainer with Becker, a global leader in continuing professional education, where she writes courses and presents on a range of topics including diversity & inclusion, self- awareness, leadership, talent management and workplace culture.
Jina is also a Thought Leader with the Business Learning Institute (BLI), a strategic learning partner and talent management consultancy for organizations worldwide, where she develops and delivers live webinars, on-demand programs and on-site training.
As a CPA with a 32+ year career in public accounting, she brings firsthand experience within the profession to her work. She began her career in public accounting in the tax department of Touche Ross (now Deloitte). She left Deloitte to launch her private practice, Etienne & Associates, LLC, providing accounting and tax solutions to a diverse client base. She sold her practice to join the AICPA as Director – Taxation, Tax Ethics & Professional Standards, AICPA Tax Section at the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).
In her spare time, she enjoys jigsaw puzzles and Sudoku, loves chocolate, and appreciates a really good cup of coffee. She is a diehard fan of Arsenal FC (#COYG), a Peloton enthusiast (#FearlesslyMe) and loves Formula 1. She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with her husband, two sons, and Doug, their American bulldog.
Jina’s website: https://www.etienneconsulting.com/
Contact Jina https://www.etienneconsulting.com/contact
Shira Lotzar, with Purposeful Hire, is a seasoned career coach, small business coach, and recruiter passionate about helping people do what they love!
Through her dynamic career branding process, she helps job seekers and small business owners discover their career passions and showcase their professional superpowers through compelling LinkedIn profiles, standout resumes and websites, pinpoint networking, and memorable interviews.
In her volunteer life, she co-founded a community service program, BoomerWorks.org, helping 50+ professionals re-career into self-employment.
She also offers a FREE job support group called Hire Moment Mastermind that meets every other Friday from 9:15 – 10:15am ET.
Her passion is best captured in her tagline: For every hire, there is a higher purpose.
Contact Information: Purposeful Hire, shira@purposefulhire.com, 703-508-9573
Chip Lankert is the Lead HR Strategist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) where in develops relationships with FEMA staff sections and people in career transition to find the best fit for both. He has also worked in the Office of the Chief Security Officer at FEMA where he served as the Staff Assistant to the Personnel Security Division Director and served as a Public Trust Clearance adjudicator determining eligibility for fitness and suitability of Federal employees and government contractors during steady state and disaster operations.
Chip is a former Military Policeman and Counterintelligence Specialist with the United States Marine Corps where he conducted counterterrorism evaluation, executive protection and both physical and personnel security. He also
recruited police informants, counterintelligence specialists and counterintelligence sources. Chip is also a former Counterintelligence Agent, Counterdrug Intelligence Analyst, and Recruiter with the Virginia Army National Guard. His experience includes security and intelligence support to the Immigration & Naturalization Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington-Baltimore HIDTA, and Virginia State Police. As a counterdrug supervisor, he recruited personnel for the counterdrug program. As a Recruiting and Retention Manager, he received numerous awards for exceeding both the recruiting and retention missions and was the top Retention Manager in the State of Virginia for two consecutive years.
Chip served in a volunteer position as a training instructor for new members of an international business referral organization for the Greater Richmond Area. He conducted two classes monthly for eight to thirty-five business owners and salesmen and substituting as an instructor for veteran members on various business topics.
Chip received his Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies from Excelsior College and his Masters in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Robert Roop is a tested and successful Human Resources executive with years of experience in human resources management. Robert started his career with the Marriott Corporation as an entry-level recruiter. When he left Marriott 15 years later, he was a Regional Director of Human Resources. His region included 30,000 nonexempt and 3,000 exempt employees.
After leaving Marriott, Robert joined the Humane Society of the United States where he was promoted to Vice President, Human Resources. At the Humane Society, Robert developed and implemented a nationwide
compensation program and enterprise-wide change management program. He also collected performance data across the organization that was the foundation for developing a succession planning program. Robert then joined the American Diabetes Association as Chief Human Resources Officer, where he developed a nationwide talent acquisition program and a new fundraising approach.
Robert joined Montgomery College as Chief Human Resources Officer after leaving the American Diabetes Association. Under his direction, Montgomery College developed a market-driven compensation program that saved over $2 million a year. He also served as chief union strategist and was a co-lead negotiator in negotiations with three unions.
Currently, Robert is the vice-chairperson of the Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union, and consults, and teaches in the graduate Human Resource Program at Webster University. At Webster, he teaches human resources management courses, including compensation, benefits, labor relations, and the HRM capstone courses. Robert has a SHRM – SCP certification and teaches SHRM certification preparation seminars. Robert is included in Webster University’s Panel of Experts (http://experts.webster.edu) and has completed the Coaching Program approved by the International Coach Federation. Robert has a master’s degree in Community Counseling Psychology.
Robert G. Roop, MA, SHRM-SCP, roroop@webster.edu | 301-525-9505
Tamara Smith is a Management and Program Analyst (Recruiter) in the Office of Human Resources, Corporate Engagement. Also current the National Chairperson for Education, Recruitment, & Training (ERT) for the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NBCFAE), and HQ Region Conference Coordinator.
With over 20 years of Federal Government Service, most of her Federal Service was working with attorneys. Once coming to FAA nine and a half years ago under ATO Diversity office, Tamara took an interest in diversity and recruitment.
In her role in the ATO Diversity, her passion for really assisting others came to light in assisting in the hiring initiative of Persons with Disabilities. Since then, Tamara has played a significant role in outreach to Persons with Disabilities, continues to be a resource for external organizations and consumers for employment to FAA.
Debbie Grace Fletcher, SCSEP Case Manager, Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Public Assistance and Employment Services (PAES).
Debbie Fletcher is a Certified Workforce Development Professional. She has been providing employment services to Northern Virginia residents for over nine years through the Department of Family Services. Including Bridges to Success Program and Energy Assistance Program.
She currently works with mature job seekers returning to the workforce by developing training opportunities and providing career guidance.
Her greatest passion is to empathize with clients, listening, encouraging, and helping them to look for strategies to satisfy their needs.
Katherine Ponds has a diverse background that encompasses leadership roles in for-profit, non-profit, and public sector organizations.
With over 20 years in the career and talent management sector, Ms. Ponds currently serves as Executive Vice President for Meridian Resources Inc., a career and talent management consulting firm, where she oversees product development, marketing, and relationship management.
In addition to her professional career, Ms. Ponds currently serves as a volunteer Community Ambassador and Speaker’s Bureau representative for AARP. In this capacity, she represents AARP at various community events where she frequently speaks on a variety of topics including, caregiving, job search and career development for individuals 50 years of age and older.
The insights and expertise Ms. Ponds brings to AARP reflect not only her extensive knowledge and expertise associated with talent and career management, but also her personal experience as a volunteer board member for a variety of non profit organizations.