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Employment First Conference |Employment First Conference | Home About Agenda Speakers Resources 2024 Photos 2024 Presentation Recordings Select Page EMPLOYMENT FIRST CONFERENCE  EVENT DATE Wednesday, November 6th, 2024  EVENT TIME 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM  EVENT LOCATION Dena’ina Civic and Convention CenterAnchorage, Alaska This one day conference focused on diversity and growth in business with presentations and resources on topics including utilizing untapped labor pools, artificial intelligence in the workplace, tax incentives, universal design, accommodations, mental health, and local business owners experience to successful business growth. SEE AGENDA 2024 Conference Theme Creating the Culture, Growing the Business Hosted by the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education Proudly sponsored by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Exhibitors LINKS HomeAboutAgendaSpeakersResources MESSAGE US Name Email Address Message SEND SOCIAL MEDIA FollowFollow © Copyright 2026 Employment First Conference | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Sitemap | Designed by: Slater Strategies Ian Clark LLC Business ManagerIan’s Game Palace Ian is a lifelong Alaskan. What started as a small kiosk has become a full-scale store in downtown Anchorage. Operating for more than 15 years, they love helping as many other small businesses succeed and flourish. The shop, Ian’s Game Paradise, has partnered with dozens of small and large businesses and is always ready to support the community. × Demetria Veasy Assistant DirectorState of Alaska, Division of Employment & Training Services Demetria has worked for the State of Alaska for 21 years with 14 out of those 21 years being with the Department of Labor & Workforce Development. As an Assistant Director, she oversees 13 Job Centers, the Employment & Training Technical Unit and Adult Education. Demetria has a passion for helping people and takes pride in the work she’s doing as a workforce development professional. She has worked in many different roles within the Department of Labor and has supported many individuals in successfully achieving their career goals. × Kathryn Duder Division DirectorState of Alaska, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Kate has worked in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) for over 20 years, 14 of which have been at an administrative level. She has held many positions in this field, working in private, Tribal, and state Vocational Rehabilitation. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University and a Master’s Degree from St. Michael’s College. × Richard Toney Deputy Director, Installation Support673d Mission Support Group, JBER Mr. Richard M. Toney is currently serving as Deputy Director of Installation Support, 673d Mission Support Group, Joint Base Elmendorf, Anchorage, Alaska as a member of the Air Force Civilian Strategic Leader Program (CSLP). As deputy to the commander, and senior civilian leader within the Group, he leads 1,947 personnel, executes a $12M budget, and oversees the execution of a $1B acquisition portfolio to provide agile combat support for the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) region. In addition to supporting the host 673d Air Base Wing, major mission partners include the 11th Airborne Division, 3rd Wing, the 176th Wing, and 55 additional units. He is responsible for base defense, command and control communications, human resource management, morale, welfare, and recreation, and contracting and procurement capabilities in support of 37K active, reserve, civilian, dependent, and retiree members across a 73K acre installation. × Stacey Andrist Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1State of Alaska, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation My name is Stacey Andrist, I was born and raised in Alaska and Michigan. I have lived and worked in the Mat-Su Valley for the past 15+ years providing employment services to job seekers from all walks of life. I have 2 cats named Winston and Shadow. I love crafting and learning new skills to keep me busy during the long Alaska winters. I am new to my current position within the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and a new Business Engagement Services Team (BEST) member, I look forward to learning more every day. × Patrick Reinhart Executive DirectorGovernor’s Council on Disabilities & Special Education Patrick Reinhart has been a disability advocate in Alaska for over 40 years. He began his disability journey at birth having been born without a foot. He has been the director Challenge Alaska, the State Independent Living Council, Special Olympics of Alaska. Currently, he is Director of the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education He first started working for the Council in 2009 in charge of employment projects and helped bring Project SEARCH to Alaska, a program providing internship opportunities to young Alaskans who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities taking place in hospitals in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Matsu. × Michelle Brennan Human Resources DirectorThe Lakefront I am the current Human Resources Director for The Lakefront Anchorage Hotel. I have been with the Lakefront for nine-and-a-half years. I have been in Human Resources for over 20 years in a variety of positions and industries. × Philip Ayers Anchorage Municipal RecruiterMunicipality of Anchorage Philip Ayers was a U.S. Marine for more than 20 years. He is a local Employer Veteran Representative, where he has assisted in obtaining employment for more than 70 veterans. He was a recruiter for Non-Appropriated Funds Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, where he assisted in streamlining their employment process. He was a recruiter for the Municipality of Anchorage, where he assisted in bringing their total posting from 109 to 60. × Lynne Sauve Vocational Rehabilitation CounselorState of Alaska, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Lynne Sauve is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the State of Alaska, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. With a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She is part of what is known as the Business Engagement Team, the goal of this team is to support businesses and provide information about working with those who experience disabilities. This team strives to promote both business needs and client skills and abilities to ensure strong and successful matches. Lynne is a lifelong Alaskan and is committed to the community. She has been working in Human Services for over 30 years. × Kathleen McArdle President & Chief Executive OfficerAnchorage Chamber of Commerce Kathleen McArdle joined the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce as President/CEO in October 2023 after a 13-year tenure with Verizon Wireless. Kathleen brings dual academic qualifications, first earning a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, and later returning to graduate school for an MBA. Raised by entrepreneurial parents, she was exposed early to the realities of small business ownership and the value of resilience and creativity. Since moving to Anchorage from Phoenix in 2014, Kathleen and her husband, and their two dogs, have fallen in love with the vibrant and welcoming environment that Anchorage provides. × Deborah Morton Supervisor IIAlaska Military Youth Academy Deborah has lived in Alaska for over 34 years. She began her career with youth as a Chemical Dependency Tech II from 1999-2006, while completing her M.Ed degree from UAA. She started working for the Alaska Military Youth Academy in 2005. She has been on the National Youth Challenge Program Training Committee for over 5 years, developing and implementing best practices for the 41 Youth Challenge programs across the nation. Mrs. Morton earned the 2020 Mrs. Alaska Businesswoman of the Year and Volunteer of the Year awards, 3 Presidential Volunteer Service Awards and received the 2024 Achievement in Business award. × Dirk Craft Executive DirectorAlaska Workforce Investment Board Born and raised in Alaska, Dirk Craft has 19 years of experience in public policy, state-level budget analysis, strategic planning, and communications. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Alaska Workforce Investment Board, Dirk oversees the board’s strategic direction, policy development, and program implementation. He has recently worked to build relationships with key stakeholders, advocating for workforce development priorities, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. × Pamela Doerr Business Owner AK Namaste I am the owner of AK Namaste. I created a healing space for our community. In addition to offering weekly yoga classes and workshops, I specialize in Intuitive, Integrative Bodywork that promotes deep relaxation, stress reduction, pain relief, emotional health, and injury and trauma recovery. This often looks like chronic pain, injury recovery, anxiety, surgery recovery, and trauma recovery. I offer several Ayurvedic treatments and coaching to balance, nourish, and bring the body to a state of relaxation and peace, triggering the body’s self-healing. I tailor each session to the individual’s specific needs. × Jessica Rafuse Director of Strategic Partnerships & Policy for Accessibility Microsoft Jessica Rafuse is a leader in Accessibility and Disability Inclusion. As the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Policy for Accessibility at Microsoft, Jessica works with customers, partners, and policymakers to accelerate accessibility globally. Jessica is an attorney, who prior to joining the Microsoft team, promoted the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action within multi-national corporations. Jessica began her legal career in government, including her work as an Administrative Judge for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Jessica earned degrees from University of Washington and Seattle University School of Law. Jessica has muscular dystrophy and uses a power wheelchair. × Cheryl Teller Senior Stakeholder Relationship Tax ConsultantU.S. Internal Revenue Service Cheryl Teller is a Stakeholder Relationship Tax Consultant for the IRS. She has spent 25 years working in free tax clinics, 17 of which were focused on military tax centers. Her current role includes facilitating the free tax program for the state of Alaska, educating the public about tax credits and their taxpayer rights, and recruiting for volunteers and tax locations. Prior to working for the IRS, Cheryl had an IT career in data conversion projects for databases and data analysis. She enjoys fishing, running a free tax site in the Mountain View section of Anchorage, and is an active volunteer of the American Legion focusing on preventing veteran and active-duty suicide. × Tonie Protzman Chief Executive OfficerProtzman Consulting Tonie Protzman, whose Native name, Yethnhahnilats, means “makes her life strong,” is an enrolled descendant in the Turtle Clan of the Oneida Tribe in Oneida, WI. Tonie was raised and remains in Anchorage, Alaska with her Iñupiat Eskimo daughter, Paisley. Protzman, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), holds a Master of Science (MS) degree in Clinical Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in justice and psychology, both degrees from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She was a PhD Candidate with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Clinical Community Psychology Program with rural and indigenous emphasis. × Kathleen West Evans Director of Business RelationsCouncil of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation – National Employment Team Kathy is the Director of Business Relations for the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR). CSAVR is the membership organization of the Directors of the 78 public Vocational Rehabilitation agencies across the country, including the territories and D.C. The program serves roughly 1.5 million individuals with disabilities a year as they prepare for, enter into, and retain their careers and independence. Kathy leads the National Employment Team (NET)- a team of national experts in Business Relations and Consultation. × Skip to content Open toolbar Accessibility Tools Accessibility Tools Increase TextIncrease Text Decrease TextDecrease Text GrayscaleGrayscale High ContrastHigh Contrast Negative ContrastNegative Contrast Light BackgroundLight Background Links UnderlineLinks Underline Readable FontReadable Font Reset Resetenusen-US1773033150https://employmentfirstalaska.com

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