Identity and Innovation Summit 2021

Welcome Session & Examining Barriers: HIV AIDS Employment

Welcome Remarks from:

  • Rahnee Patrick, Director of the Division of Rehabilitation Services
  • Governor J.B. Pritzker
  • Sylvia Garcia, Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Keynote Presentation from:

  • Mark Misrok, Co-Founder and Executive Director of National Working Positive Coalition
    • Pronouns: He/They

Professional Development Panel

Facilitated by:

  • Andy Losasso (He/His/Him), Technical Assistance Manager for Workforce Services – Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

Panelists:

  • Tamika L. Foust (She, Her, Hers), MBA/MHRM – Prevention Employment Specialist AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
  • L’Oreal Bailey, MBA – Senior Manager of Special Projects and Community Partnerships AIDS Foundation of Chicago
  • Lynnea Karlic (She, Her, Hers)- Director of Employment Programs – Chicago House & Social Service Agency
  • DJ Ralston (They, Them, Theirs), MA – Senior Technical Assistance & Research Analyst, National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C), The George Washington University, Center for Rehabilitation Counseling Research and Education (CRCRE).

Effective Practice Model Sharing

Presented by:

  • Kimberly Mercer-Schleider – Director, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities

Resources for Serving the Population – Trans and Employment

Presented by:

  • DJ Ralston – Senior Technical Assistance & Research Analyst, National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C), The George Washington University, Center for Rehabilitation Counseling Research and Education (CRCRE)
    • Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
  • Presentation

Peer Learning – Managing Chronic Disease in the Workplace

Presented by:

  • Donald Dew – President/CEO Habilitative Systems, Inc.
  • Presentation

Entrepreneur Self- Actualization

Presented by:

Successfully Assessing and Maintaining Employment for our LGBTQ+ Customers

Presented by:

  • Carolynne Jorgenson, MS, CRC, LPC -Rehabilitation Counselor – UIUC Office, IDHS/DRS Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Presentation

Policy Panel

Facilitated by:

  • Andre Jordan- Illinois Department of Human Services, Director of Legislative Affairs

Panelists:

  • Representee Gregory Harris – House Majority Leader
  • Jordyn Jensen – Career Coach Co-Op Career Experience Certificate for Students with Intellectual Disabilities UIC. 
  • Rahnee Patrick, Director of the Division of Rehabilitation Services

Employer Panel

Facilitated by:

  • Lynnea Karlic (She, Her, Hers)- Director of Employment Programs – Chicago House & Social Service Agency

Panelists:

  • Aaron Lawlor – Howard Brown Health Clinics
  • Marc Senia – Walgreens
  • Kevin Irvine – Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, Rush University Medical Center
  • Jackie Richter – Heels and Hard Hats

Call to Action 

Presented by:

  • Rahnee Patrick, Director of the Division of Rehabilitation Services