Resilience & Purpose, overcoming setbacks and staying the course
Incorporating Success, developing a growth mindset for your career and life

HON. COUNCIL MEMBER ROBERT WHITE
At-Large DC Council Member

• Native Washingtonian, graduated from Archbishop Caroll High School
• Attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland, with additional studies at Oxford University
• Earned Law Degree from American University Washington College of Law
• 2008 Served as Legislative Counsel to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
• 2016, Elected as an at-large Council member with the highest number of votes in the history of DC’s elected Counsel
• The Council member brings a strong commitment to equity and social justice to public service, working to ensure that all Washingtonians get an opportunity to thrive.
• His legislative agenda focuses on providing citizens access to the foundations of economic progress—education, affordable housing, and jobs—and to the foundations of democracy—voting rights and equal treatment under the law.

DC’s High Demand Industries & Today’s Job Market and Emerging Trends
WIC’s Career Mapping Tools & Exploring Workforce Pathways 

DEBORAH RUSSELL
Associate Director of Performance and Impact, District’s Workforce Investment Council (WIC).

• Has served as the Chief Operating Officer for Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation.
• Russell has been a subject matter expert and workforce contributor on national television programs such as CNN, CNBC, Good Morning America, the Today Show and CBS Evening News, discussing the aging of the workforce and its impact on business.
• A national and international speaker as well as executive management consultant specializing in organizational development and talent management, who has worked with Fortune 500 CEOs on developing successful talent management and retention strategies.

Panel: OrionNexus, Microsoft, SunChase Company

• Maurice Kinsey: OrionNexus, Founder & Author, AI for Absolute Beginners
• Clementine Wall: Microsoft

Focus:

• Entrepreneurship: (organization, discipline, networking)
• What employers are really looking for?

MAURICE KINSEY
Founder & CEO, OrionNexus

• 25 years of leadership at the intersection of emerging technology and organizational excellence
• Author of ‘AI For Absolute Beginners: Understanding and Using ChatGPT.’
• Through OrionNexus, Maurice partners with executives to move beyond pilot purgatory. He sets strategy and governance, prioritizes use cases with verifiable value, and builds the capabilities required to scale safely and sustainably.
• He aligns people, process, and data so AI connects directly to mission outcomes and P&L priorities.
• Holds an MBA and the PMP, CISM, CRISC, and CISA certifications.

CLEMENTINE WALL
Director of Business Programs, Microsoft

• Dynamic and strategic leader with 15 years of experience driving technical innovation and adoption for the Federal government.
• Leads a portfolio of large-scale government cloud computing contracts spanning Federal Civilian agencies, enabling successful delivery and operational excellence.
• Recognized for building new capabilities and enhancing cross-functional business operations, with deep expertise in cloud solutions and Federal procurement.

CHRISTA TICHY
Owner C&T Contracting LLC (Electrical & Plumbing from IBEW 26)

• First Female Master Electrician in the State of Maryland.
• Found opportunity in the trades, specifically electricity, and completed a 5-year Apprenticeship program with IBEW Local 26.
• Graduated top ten % in my class.
• Became a Foreman, Supervisor, Business Owner, Educator & Politician!
• Received Master Electrical license in VA., D.C., MD. & Home Improvement License
• Completed Construction Management and General Studies degree.
• BS in Political Science & pursuing Master’s in Management.
• Appointed Vice Chair of Montgomery County Workforce Development Board.
• Chair of the Transportation Committee.
• Elected to the MCDCC as a district 19 representative and Asst. Secretary.
• Governor appointee to Stationary Engineers Board working with the trade industry.
• Taught first Electricity and Engineering class at Seneca Valley H.S. in 2023.
• Created special curriculum to remediate barriers faced by CTE students.
• Teach ‘Electrical Career Readiness’ at Montgomery College partnering with IBEW Local 26, Workforce Development, Montgomery College along with NECA the National Electrical Contractors Association.

KUNTA BEDNEY
Council Representative, Eastern Atlantic States Regional, Council of Carpenters

• Professional journey anchored with Sasha Bruce Youthwork.
• Advocate for pre-apprenticeship and skilled trades programs.
• Member of the Workforce Investment Council (WIC) Board
• Committed to inspiring greatness in others.

Financial & Economic Empowerment

JACQUELINE BOLES
Director of Retail Banking, SVP Industrial Bank

• Banking professional with over 25 years of experience in the financial sector.
• Senior Vice President and Director of Retail Banking at Industrial Bank.
• Recognized as one of the 2022 Prince George’s County Women of the Year,
• Managing multiple retail branches and call center operations to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Passionate about community engagement, leading financial literacy programs aimed at empowering underserved populations.
• Advocate for innovative banking solutions and efficient service delivery. With a solid educational background in Business Administration, she combines her leadership skills with a commitment to social impact.

Life Map Activity (Group Exercise)

Create a visual roadmap of the next 1–3 years working through:

Milestones: Education/training goals, job goals, financial targets, and wellness goals
Resources: What we need (support systems, mentors, programs)
Barriers + Solutions: Challenges + one step to overcome each
Facilitated by: JJ staff

DENISE WARE
Associate Dean Hospitality & Wellness, PGCC

• Academic Program Chair, Continuing Education.
• Program Director Hospitality, Tourism, Culinary Arts and Gaming
• Expert in driving business growth through beneficial marketing campaigns.
• Mentor Youth Leadership Development

Topics Covered:

• Building confidence when you feel behind
• Managing mental health and motivation
• Self-leadership: Showing up for yourself

Add-on: Journaling or ‘fearless card’ activity as a take-away

William Frye
Director of Dining Services, Abram’s Assisted Living

• Proud owner of Monumental Protective Services, LLC, and Uncle Lou’s Grill
• A devoted man of faith and entrepreneur
• Career rooted in hard work, resilience, and service to others
• Skills in cooking, coaching, and mentoring
• Passionate about guiding young people to reach their full potential, believing they are the foundation of the future.
• His journey is a testament that if he can do it, anyone can.

Rotate through resource stations:

• Apprenticeships
• Workforce Support Services

Celebrate the courage to show up “Be in Your Power!”

Sign up for one follow-up program or training