Mr. Chip Lankert, Lead Talent Recruiter, FEMA
Chip Lankert is the Lead Talent Recruiter 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.
Katherine Metres Akbar is the founder and president of YES Career Coaching & Resume Writing Services, one of Washington metro’s two top-rated career success companies. Providing job search services and workshops, she and her team have helped over 4500 people perfect their resumes, master networking, get interviews, and receive offers.
The world’s only Interview Aikido TM coach, Ms. Akbar has been a featured as a speaker by the Foreign Service Institute, Channel 7 News, and many others. She previously served as a U.S. diplomat and executive director of a civil rights non-profit. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, a Master of International Affairs from Columbia
University, and certificates from Toastmasters and the National Speakers Association.
YES Career Coaching & Resume Writing Services
https://www.yeswriting.com/
Marc Miller is the founder of Career Pivot, which helps those in the 2nd half of Life design careers they can grow into for the next 30 years.
Marc authored the book Repurpose Your Career: A Practical Guide for the 2nd Half of Life, published in September 2019. He is also the podcast host of the award-winning Repurpose Your Career Podcast.
Marc is a recovering engineer, a multipotentiality, and a professional career changer, as he has made six career pivots over the last 40+ years.
Marc and his wife, Lotus, became ex-pats in June 2018 when they moved to Ajijic, Mexico.
You can learn more about Marc, Career Pivot, the Repurpose Your Career podcast, and their journey to becoming ex-pats by visiting the Careerpivot.com
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.
Contact: Katherine Ponds, Keponds.kp@gmail.com
Gary Petito joined NEW Solutions in 2022 as a USDA/REE Recruiter & Program Specialist. He has over 15+ years of recruiting, workforce development, career services, team leadership, partner support and technical account management for corporations and state and local government agencies. Gary is also a Veteran who served on active duty with the Texas Army National Guard for six years as a Recruiter and Logistics Specialist. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Killeen (formerly the University of Central Texas). Gary enjoys connecting people with opportunities and providing exceptional customer service. He lives in South Texas with his family and their adopted dog. When not at work, Gary enjoys walking/hiking, cycling, DIY home projects, and being with his family. He also enjoys participating in virtual walking and cycling events that support military and animal charities, and he and his wife are supporters of the local Humane Society.
Contact Information: Senior Recruiter/Program Specialist | USDA REE Program | National Experienced Workforce Solutions
We believe in the power of experience | www.NEWsolutions.org
Your LinkedIN Driving Instructor, is a LinkedIn trainer, communications strategist, and workforce educator who teaches adults 45 and older how to harness the power of LinkedIn for job searches, career transitions, nonprofit leadership, and 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 in Maryland and New York, workforce and business development organizations throughout metropolitan Washington DC, and graduate school and alumni programs throughout the United States.
Barnes also partners with the Jewish Council for the Aging to provide LinkedIn training and facilitate the Career Gateway program, a career development course for 50+ jobseekers, and with the Nonprofit Village of Montgomery County to teach nonprofit leaders to use LinkedIn for effective donor research and management and board member recruitment and engagement.
Dr. Barnes is a member of the Montgomery County Board of Elections. She is a graduate of the Senior Leadership Montgomery Class of 2018, Yale College, Stanford Law School, and the Ohio State University where she earned a doctorate in the history of U.S. foreign policy.
Email Dr. Barnes at elisse@vintageworkforce.com or schedule a complimentary 20-minute intro phone call at https://calendly.com/elisse-wright
Mark Rasch is a lawyer and computer security and privacy expert and a lawyer in Bethesda, Maryland and a Professor of Cyberlaw and Cyber-crime at George Washington University School of Law.
Rasch’s career spans more than 25 years of corporate and government cybersecurity, computer privacy, regulatory compliance, computer forensics and incident response.
He is trained as a lawyer and was the Chief Security Evangelist for Verizon Enterprise Solutions (VES). He is recognized author of hundreds security- and privacy-related articles. He has taught courses in cybersecurity, law, policy and technology at various colleges and Universities including the University of Maryland, George Mason University, Georgetown University, and the American University School of law and was active with the American Bar Association’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Committees and the Computers, Freedom and Privacy Conference.
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.
Mark is a frequent commentator in the media on issues related to information security, appearing on BBC, CBC, Fox News, CNN, NBC News, ABC News, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and many other outlets. Mark is the author of hundreds of articles about the Internet, Internet privacy, the role of social media, the threats to privacy from things like Internet of Things, government surveillance, data breaches, data breach investigations, espionage and sabotage on the Internet, Russian election hacking, and the role of intelligence and law enforcement agencies in protecting privacy and civil liberties.
He also speaks and writes about issues like cyberbullying, revenge porn, phishing attacks, catfishing, and how to protect children online.
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.
She also co-founded a community service program, BoomerWorks.org, helping 50+ professionals’ re-career into self-employment.
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
Maura Connelly has been with FlexProfessionals for ten years, serving as their Recruiting Manager. Working on the candidate side of the staffing company, Maura sources, interviews, and assists with placing candidates in flexible jobs.
She is a professional resume reader and reviewer with years of experience in the art of assisting jobnseekers with creating strong, effective resumes.
Before joining FlexProfessionals, Maura was a Contract Recruiter and Human Resources Manager at the American Chemistry Council. She worked closely with hiring managers, recruited for open positions, screened candidates, managed the on-boarding process, and oversaw employee relations. In addition, Maura was a Senior Human Resources Consultant for US Airways, where, in addition to general HR responsibilities, she conducted numerous discrimination and harassment investigations and provided related training and support to business unit partners. Maura started her HR career working for Manor HealthCare Corporation and the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital. In addition, she volunteers with the JCA and a local food bank.
She has a BA in Psychology from Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, MD. Maura lives in Vienna, VA, with her husband and two daughters.
Ann L. Poritzky is a creative and energetic CPRW*-certified résumé writer, job coach, marketer, and digital strategist.
She has an MBA in marketing and extensive experience in business, government, and nonprofit organizations in communications, and developing, deploying, and improving websites and digital products.
Ann helps clients create impressive résumés and career documents that get them noticed.
She also teaches them how to interview like a pro. She recently led successful workshops on “Tackling Tough Interview Questions” and “5 Tips for Résumé Success.”
In addition, Ann serves as a résumé reviewer for the Jewish Council on Aging (JCA) Gateway program.
*Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW)
Contact:
Ann Poritzky
aporitzky@gmail.com
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.
Cynthia Grissom is the Director of Business Solutions. She has an MBA, PMP and experience in a wide variety of industries having worked in Big 4 management consulting for a number of years. She has worked in start ups, as well as large organizations with global reach. Contact Cynthia if you are interested in learning about on-the-job training opportunities, have apprenticeship opportunities, job openings, or information about career pathways.
You can reach Cynthia at cgrissom@worksourcemontgomery.com
Chip Lankert is a Talent Recruiter 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. Additionally, he completed a successful detail to the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Intelligence Unit (HSTIU) at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as an Intelligence Operations Specialist (GS-0132-13) providing intelligence support through comprehensive threat analysis.
Chip received his Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies from Excelsior College and his Masters in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Amy Kass specializes in the areas of coaching, advising, training, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations for a variety of social service organizations.
Her training experience includes health promotion, interpersonal communication, interviewing, performance management, assertiveness skills for managers, and cultural orientation programs. She has used her foreign language and cross-cultural skills to serve as an advocate for ethnically and culturally diverse populations in universities, hospitals, international business, and the non-profit sector.
As a part-time Volunteer Coordinator for a dynamic nonprofit, Court Watch Montgomery, Amy is responsible for the recruitment, training, and retention of volunteers. Court Watch reduces intimate partner violence in Maryland by ensuring victims have access to responsive justice in the court system to stop the abuse. She finds it rewarding to recruit and build relationships with volunteers whose values and skills are in alignment with the mission of the organization.
Amy holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Development and Training from John Hopkins University. Having worked in the human resources field, she now serves as a job interview coach and resume writer for her business, ASK (Amy S. Kass) for Insight. She also facilitates a job club support group for the Career Gateway program under the auspices of the Jewish Council for the Aging in Rockville, MD whose objective is to provide workshops for job seekers over the age of fifty. Her passion is helping job seekers apply transferrable skills to rebrand themselves, think outside the box and discover meaningful employment opportunities they may not have envisioned previously.
Bob Levey is a prize-winning journalist who has covered the Washington scene since the Johnson Administration. For 23 years, he wrote a daily column, “Bob Levey’s Washington,” for The Washington Post.
Sharlene Gray is the One Stop Operator at WorkSource Montgomery with experience in program operations and business development. She is responsible for maintaining effective relationships with core partners while enhancing the service continuum for job seekers.
Prior to serving in her current role, Ms. Gray served for 17 years as Program Director of Rescare Workforce Services. During her tenure, she operated and managed workforce development programs serving WIOA, TANF, Dislocated Workers, and Foster Care populations. Her strong desire to achieve outcomes have allowed her to receive many awards & performance recognitions throughout her career.
Sharlene is a member of NAWDP (National Association of Workforce Development Professionals) and she enjoys interacting and meeting people from diverse backgrounds. Her passion for helping customers reach and exceed their career goals has allowed her to thrive in challenging and fast paced environments.
Tamara 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 play a significant role in outreach to Persons with Disabilities, continues to be a resource for external organizations and consumers for employment to FAA.
Michelle Press Rubin, JD, BCC is an attorney who recognized early on that her joy comes from helping people reach their goals by identifying and unlocking their underlying strengths and passions. After close to ten years of practicing law and working with more than 1,000 clients, she discovered that connecting with people is what really fuels her. Michelle loves finding creative solutions to help people solve complex problems, often by motivating clients to figure out what they really want and how to achieve their goals.
After practicing law for a number of years to raise her children, Michelle noticed that many of her peers were similarly situated – stuck in roles or career paths that were unfulfilling. Many either wanted to pivot their career path or reenter the workforce after a short or lengthy career pause (often after raising children or other caregiving roles). This led her to create an informal career support group where all brainstormed about ways to help each other achieve the necessary momentum to embrace change and identify and pursue fulfilling career and life options. Momentum was born out of a love of helping others figure out what sparks them, embrace change, and identify and ultimately achieve their career and life goals.
Michelle Rubin
Momentum Career and Life Coaching
Cristin Caine is the Founder and CEO of Charity Connect, a nonprofit that facilitates volunteerism through personal connection. Cristin believes the full and expansive benefits of volunteering can only be reached when the service opportunity fits with the volunteer’s true interests, availability and goals. Drawing upon her experience matching and on-boarding volunteers with organizations, Cristin will discuss ways to incorporate service into your lives.
The key takeaways from this presentation will include:
Cristin’s background in special events fundraising and as a public school teacher combined with her fulfilling volunteer positions led to her creation of Charity Connect. Cristin engages individuals in customized community service by building relationships with her clients (potential volunteers) and organizations that utilize volunteers. In addition to individual consultations, Cristin conducts workshops to promote strategic volunteering; service which incorporates personal and professional goals. Cristin also facilitates strategy sessions for volunteer managers in volunteer engagement and retention.
Cristin Caine
Founder & CEO
Pronouns: she, her, hers
301-257-5586
www.charityconnect.us
Laura M. Labovich is an award-winning career innovator and résumé writer, bestselling author, and HR insider of Fortune 500 companies including The Walt Disney Company and America Online. As Chief Executive Officer of The Career Strategy Group, a boutique career management, outplacement, and resume writing firm headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Laura and her team teach a powerful methodology for career, communication and networking success.
Laura’s national job search & networking expertise, passionate delivery, and easy-to-implement approach have garnered attention from such national news media as The Washington Post, Sirius XM Radio, Fox 5 (DC), NBC 6 (Miami), U.S. News and World Report, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Yahoo, and Monster.com, to name a few. And, as a former amateur nightclub singer, she certainly knows how to tackle, inspire, and entertain a tough crowd.
Laura is in the top 1% of all Amazon authors for her book 100 Conversations for Career Success: Learn to Network, Cold-Call, and Tweet Your Way to Your Dream Job, a 2013 top career book selection by FORBES.com.
Tamara Wolfe is a certified International Life Coach, Mindset and Results Expert, Speaker, and owner of Full Spectrum Living. She is also a published co-author of the bestselling book “Short Sweet and Sacred.” Tamara comes to her life coaching with a background as a movement psychotherapist, a business leader and mentor in sales. For over 30 years, Tamara has been studying and teaching personal development and success principles and has had the privilege to train with world-renowned teachers such as Mary Morrissey, John Assaraf, Bob Proctor and John Maxwell.
Tamara’s passion is to help mid-life business leaders and entrepreneurs reach their highest level of potential in their current career or to make a transition to a career that aligns with their passion and purpose. She offers transformational, in-depth coaching programs that help clients repattern limiting beliefs to create the results they desire to live richer, more fulfilling lives. Tamara’s greatest desire is for her clients to find their “sweet spot” where their passion and purpose intersect and they can truly say, “I love my life!”
Tamara is a sought-after International Speaker and offers inspirational webinars, workshops, and keynote speeches. She was recently a featured speaker at a Global Virtual Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Tamara is currently working on a Neuroscience Coaching and Leadership certification.
To Your Health and Happiness,
Mr. Ross is President of Mature Temps. He specializes in consulting to Staffing Services. His area of expertise is the mature worker. Mr. Ross was President of the original Mature Temps for 12 years. The company had 20 offices in 12 cities and was a pioneer in working with seniors. Through this assignment, he developed an understanding and a respect for the advantages of working with seniors in the staffing space. Thru his direct experience he recognizes and appreciates the benefits the Mature Worker brings to the workplace. Mr. Ross has over 20 years of experience in the staffing industry. Two years ago, Mr. Ross had the idea to create a program to help Mature Workers return to the workforce. He took this idea to AARP and secured a consulting assignment with AARP to select a major staffing
company to work with. Even in a good economy, Seniors are often excluded from the workforce. They may be the ones that need both the money and mental stimulation more than most. His directive was to research and assist AARP in selecting a staffing service to partner with them in finding and creating meaningful job opportunities for their
members. After extensive research and interviews, AARP and Mr. Ross selected Manpower International to partner with them in this exciting new project. In the past two years, the program has developed throughout the country. Most of the assignments have required work from home. This is a benefit especially with the ever-changing world due to Covid. We have placed about 50 Mature Workers and are receiving new job opportunities every day. Mr. Ross’ other passion is philanthropy. He is the donor advisor to the Frances Davis Fund and the Richard and Diane Ross Fund. He has had this position for the past 10 years, during which time he has issued grants to over thirty charities. The majority of the grants and funds has been given to charities working with the young and seniors. His goal is to help improve the lives of members of these groups. We look for opportunities to fund programs that have a direct result on the daily
lives of the recipients. All of our grants have the goal of making the recipient’s life better. Mr. Ross has the pleasure of being a member of the Board of Directors of a senior health facility and an association that provides free camp
opportunities for children with cancer. He is also a member of the Entrepreneurial Board at American University
Mr. Ross has been a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and YPO Gold for almost 40 years. His positions included Chapter Chairman and Education Chair of three different Chapters, a member of the International Board of Directors, and the Chair of a Regional Program.
Jennifer is the second morning Workshop Presenter at the February 18, 2022, Northern Virginia Virtual 50+ Employment Expo Jennifer Wayne is an employment specialist who works in Employment and Training for Fairfax County Department of Family Services. She currently assists clients with resume writing and reviews, interview skills, job searches and everything job-search related. She works at the View Job Center in Fairfax County Government Center.
One-Stop Employment Resource Center Services
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/employment-andtraining/services
Jerry has been a Career Ownership Coach with The Entrepreneur’s Source for three years. He helps people gain perspective on and set goals for their careers and their lives, and gives them the chance to explore franchise business entrepreneurship as a possible career path.
As a graduate of the JCA Career Gateway, an attendee and presenter at numerous 50+ Career Expos, and as someone who started a new career as a franchise business owner at 58, Jerry is well-tuned to the goals and needs of the over 50 career seeker.
In his previous career life, Jerry was a software developer and architect, and development manager for companies like IBM, Hongkong Shanghai Bank, and Goodwill Industries International.