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Aim Hire 2026
Mentor Sessions

Team Talk

Aim Hire Mentor Sessions

2:00p-3:00p​

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We have organized short, 20-minute meeting opportunities for attendees to talk with experts in a variety of education and workforce areas.

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Learn more about the mentors:

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Cassie Barlow

President, Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE

Expertise: Professional Development; Leadership; Workforce Development; Mentoring

Dr. Cassie B. Barlow is the President of the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education. Dr. Barlow is focused on collaboration among SOCHE’s 32 College and University members as well as professional development of faculty and staff and workforce needs of students. Dr. Barlow was the 88th Air Base Wing Commander, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. She commanded one of the largest wings in the Air Force with more than 5,000 military, civilian, and contractor employees. Dr. Barlow retired from active duty in 2014. Dr. Barlow was a graduate of Georgetown University. Following graduation, she was assigned to her first of 13 assignments.

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Eric Dillenbeck

Director of Work Experience Programs, Youth Opportunities Unlimited 

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE​​

Expertise: Work Experience Programs; Community Partnerships; School & Municipal Coordination; Pre-Apprenticeships; Youth Employment; Internships

Eric Dillenbeck is the Director of Work Experience Programming for Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.). Annually, Y.O.U. provides more than 2100 youth throughout NE Ohio with Summer Jobs and/or Internships and year-round case management services. These focus on career aligned opportunities that help young people progress towards graduation standards as well as prepare them for the future workforce. This is done through coordination with school districts and over 60 community partners throughout Cuyahoga County and with hundreds of employer partners.

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John Hambrick

WBL Coordinator, ESC of Central Ohio

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE​​

Expertise: Work-Based Learning; Tech Internships; Pre-Apprenticeships; Industry Partnerships; Career-Connected Learning; Professional Branding

John Hambrick has built his career at the intersection of education, business, and community—listening, connecting, and building the relationships and systems that help people find their footing and move forward. As a workforce development leader and Work-Based Learning Coordinator at the ESC of Central Ohio, John brings together business, education, and economic development to create lasting impact. He specializes in building sustainable talent pipelines, designing and leading student mentoring and internship programs that create real pathways from the classroom to career, and guiding organizations through coaching-based approaches to employee growth and retention. Since 2019, John has been a leading voice for stronger collaboration between K–12 education and industry—championing initiatives that prepare students and working adults for an ever-changing workforce. Whether he’s sparking a new partnership, developing a community strategy, or sitting across the table from someone trying to figure out their next step, John brings the same thing every time: deep listening, real-world thinking, and genuine care for the people involved. He believes—and has seen it proven again and again—that when people have the right tools, the right support, and the right relationships, they don’t just succeed. They lift everyone around them.

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Lauren Massie

Director of Workforce Services, The Ohio Manufacturers' Association

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE​​

Expertise: Industry-Education Partnerships; Earn-and-Learn Programs; Career Pathways; Talent Development; CTE & Postsecondary Education; Workforce Alignment

Lauren Massie is Director of Workforce Services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, where she leads statewide initiatives that connect manufacturers with education, workforce, and community partners to address Ohio’s talent needs. With more than 20 years of experience in workforce development, career-technical education, and higher education leadership, Lauren has held leadership positions with Central Ohio Technical College, C-TEC, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and the Ohio Department of Higher Education. She is recognized statewide for developing innovative workforce solutions and advancing career pathways for both youth and adult learners.

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Denise Miller

Career Education Coordinator, Ashtabula County Technical & Career Campus

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE

Expertise: Career-Connected Learning; Career Awareness & Exploration; School-Business-Community Partnerships; Career Integration Across the Curriculum; Workforce Readiness & Professional Skills; Employer 

Denise Miller has dedicated her professional career to helping students connect classroom learning to the real world and develop lifelong skills that prepare them for future success. With over 20 years in education, she has served as a classroom teacher, Title I teacher, and literacy coach before continuing her journey as a Career Education Coordinator for the Ashtabula County Technical & Career Campus (A-Tech). In this role, she collaborates with all local schools, businesses, and community members to create meaningful career exploration opportunities for students throughout Ashtabula County. Denise also draws on her unique background as a licensed optician in the private sector, which provides her with a firm understanding of workforce needs and strengthens her ability to bridge the gap between education and industry. She takes great pride in her community and values building partnerships that inspire students to envision the many possibilities their futures can hold. Outside of work, Denise is usually running between the sidelines and the bleachers to cheer for her children, or happily outnumbered on adventures with her husband and their four kids.

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Liz Texeira

Vice President, Managing Director, Britebound 

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE

Expertise: Career Readiness, Experiential Learning, Education Policy, CTE & Early College, Strategic Partnerships, Program Execution

As Britebound’s Vice President and Managing Director of the Experiential Learning hub, Liz oversees Britebound’s Research, Advocacy, Policy, and Philanthropy functions and a cross-functional team dedicated to high school experiential learning, supporting the organization to accelerate career readiness for middle and high school students and transform education systems nationwide. Prior to joining Britebound, Liz was a policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Education, overseeing the inter-agency Unlocking Career Success pathways initiative for the Biden-Harris administration. Previously, Liz served as the Director of College and Career Readiness for the Rhode Island Department of Education, leading statewide initiatives that expanded access to early college programs, career and technical education (CTE), and adult education. With expertise in strategic policy alignment, federal-state collaboration, and program execution, Liz has managed multimillion-dollar budgets, spearheaded national policy initiatives, and has held leadership roles in higher education, philanthropy, and nonprofit management. A former Teach for America corps member and award-winning educator, Liz is a graduate of Harvard College, SUNY Binghamton, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

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Emily Turner

Director, Choose Ohio First - Ohio Department of Higher Education

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE

Expertise: Employer Partnerships; Higher Education; Financial Aid; Work-Based Learning

Emily Turner has three decades of experience in Ohio’s economic, community, and workforce development sectors. She began her career in economic development before moving to private consulting and then to nonprofit leadership. Emily is currently the Director of the Choose Ohio First program, a $280 million scholarship program aimed at increasing access to STEM education for Ohio residents. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science.

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Tasha Werry

Executive Director, Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C)

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE​​

Expertise: Partnerships, Program Development, Collective Impact

Tasha Werry is the Executive Director of Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C), an organization she helped found to connect students, teachers, and parents with business and community leaders. Tasha has a background in education and completed her Educational Doctorate in 2016, focusing on BB2C. Under her leadership, BB2C has expanded its community and career-connected learning initiatives across Southeast Ohio.

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Lisa M. Chambers

Chief Executive Officer, TECH CORPS

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Expertise: Technology Education; Computer Science & AI; Career-Connected Learning; Pre-Apprenticeships; Cross-Sector Partnerships

Lisa M. Chambers is CEO of TECH CORPS, spearheading a national initiative to broaden access to the opportunities technology creates. With more than two decades of experience, Lisa has built cross-sector partnerships and led nationally recognized, award-winning programs that equip K-12 students with essential skills, heightened confidence, and stronger career pathways.

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Dr. Molly Feghali

Director of Training, Learning & Impact, Youth Opportunities Unlimited
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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE

Expertise: Curriculum Development, Program Design, Career-connected Learning, Impact Measurement, Youth Development, School & District Partnerships

Molly Feghali currently serves Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) as the Director of Training, Learning & Impact. As the lead of Y.O.U.’s Career Connected Learning programs, Molly manages a team of facilitators responsible for providing career readiness workshops in 20+ high schools in Cleveland and surrounding communities. In addition, Molly is responsible for all participant training activities across Y.O.U, focuses on building cohesive curriculum for all Y.O.U. programs, and has developed and leads the organization’s impact metrics framework. Prior to her work with Y.O.U., Molly was the Senior Director of True2U and Strategic Initiatives at Neighborhood Leadership Institute where she helped develop and lead the True2U Mentoring Program, a career readiness and youth development mentoring program for every 8th grader in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Previously, she lectured at Cleveland State University, teaching educational psychology and social foundations of education courses. Molly holds a degree in sociology from The Ohio State University, a master's degree in sociology from DePaul University, and a Ph.D. in urban education from Cleveland State University. Molly believes that investment in young people is one of the best, and most important, ways to help communities thrive.

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Robb Gonda

Director of College and Career Success, ESC of Central Ohio

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE

Expertise: Career-Connected Learning, Work-Based Learning, Ohio Report Card (CCWMR), Business Advisory Councils, 

Robb Gonda serves as the Director of College and Career Success at the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio, where he leads initiatives that connect students to career pathways and postsecondary opportunities. Through the ESC of Central Ohio, he oversees several regional initiatives, including the Central Ohio High School Tech Internship Program and the Career Pathway Support Network, which strengthen partnerships among schools, businesses, higher education, and community organizations to expand career-connected learning across the region. He also co-leads the Regional Business Advisory Council, helping align workforce needs with educational opportunities that prepare students for future success. In 2025, Robb directed the team recognized as one of nine national winners of the U.S. Department of Education’s Career Z Challenge for its innovative work-based learning practices for grade 9-12. With more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and educational leader, Robb specializes in building systems and partnerships that improve student outcomes and expand access to career-connected learning. In addition to his work at the ESC of Central Ohio, he currently serves as President of the Ohio Middle Level Association, providing leadership and advocacy for middle level education across the state while supporting educators in creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences for young adolescents.

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Rich Granger

Director, Workforce & Workplace Innovation, Columbus Chamber​

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE

Expertise: Curriculum Development, Transition Programs, Special Education, Workforce Readiness, Student Services, Community Partnerships

Rich Granger is passionate about connecting people, ideas, and opportunity to strengthen the workforce, and as Director of Workforce and Workplace Innovation at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, he brings that work to life. With more than 25 years of experience across workforce development, innovation, education, and cross-sector collaboration, Rich has built a career helping employers, educators, policymakers, and students align to support a more resilient talent pipeline. At the Chamber, he leads initiatives that help employers address workforce challenges, adopt innovative practices, and prepare for the future of work. Prior to joining the Chamber, Rich served as Managing Director of Workforce and Economic Development at DriveOhio and spent more than 18 years in leadership roles at Battelle Memorial Institute. He also serves as a Lecturer at The Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs and holds an MBA, along with master’s and bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering, from The Ohio State University, where he was also a published cartoonist in the OSU Lantern.

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Joel Nelson

Chief Program Officer, Godman Guild Association

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE

Expertise: Workforce Development; Career Pathways; Education Partnerships; Employer Engagement; Program Evaluation; Economic Mobility

Joel Nelson is the Chief Program Officer at the Godman Guild Association, where he leads youth, adult education, employment, and support service programs focused on education and workforce development. In this role, he is responsible for the strategic oversight, execution, and continuous improvement of programming that advances social and economic mobility for underrepresented communities. Joel brings nearly 20 years of experience in higher education and workforce development, including program leadership roles at The Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College. His work has spanned employer engagement, K‑16 career pathways, dual enrollment, and digital learning initiatives that connect students and adult learners to high‑value credentials and careers. He is recognized for building cross‑sector partnerships and equity‑centered programs, having led diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and created mentorship and experiential learning opportunities for underrepresented learners. Joel serves on several boards and advisory councils focused on community development, STEM talent, and digital equity, and he is passionate about aligning policy, practice, and employer needs to create clear, navigable pathways into good jobs.

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Tony Trapp

Apprenticeship Coordinator, Upper Valley Career Center

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE

Expertise: High School Work-Based Learningand Pre-Apprenticeships

Tony Trapp is the Apprenticeship Coordinator at Upper Valley Career Center, where he has been instrumental in growing the district’s work-based learning programs. With over 20 years of experience, Tony has built strong partnerships with business and industry and has presented at numerous national and state conferences. He is recognized for his leadership in connecting CTE students with apprenticeship opportunities.

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Staci Zappitelli

Career Education Coordinator, A-Tech - Ashtabula County Technical & Career Campus ​

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE

Expertise: Career-Connected Learning; School-Business Partnerships; Workforce Readiness; Career Exploration; Work-Based Learning; Employer Engagement

Staci is a Career Education Coordinator at A-Tech, providing leadership and career-focused education services across all local school districts in Ashtabula County. She has 20+ years in education, including classroom teaching, and 15 years in the private sector in manufacturing and business. She uses her diverse background to collaborate with schools and local businesses to connect classroom learning to the workforce. Staci coordinates career exploration events and tours, and creates career-focused lessons. She also developed A-Tech’s countywide mock interview program, in partnership with all local school districts in Ashtabula County. She is passionate about helping students explore and match their strengths and talents to potential careers, while developing 21st century skills to gain a competitive advantage. She also delivers presentations on career-focused education and workforce trends for educators and business professionals.

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Lauri White

Associate Vice Chancellor, Workforce Engagement, Ohio Department of Higher Education

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SIGN-UP TO MEET HERE

Expertise: Postsecondary Education, Workforce Development, Justice Involved Programs for Youth and Adults, TechCred, ODHE Initiatives

Dr. Lauri White serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Engagement at the Ohio Department of Higher Education, a role she has held since September 2019. She leads efforts to strengthen the connection between Ohio’s education systems and the evolving needs of employers, ensuring that academic programs and workforce initiatives effectively support the state’s talent pipeline. With more than 35 years of experience, Dr. White is a transformational leader known for her work in strategic planning, academic administration, and organizational innovation. She has a proven record of driving cross-sector collaboration, improving operational effectiveness, and advancing workforce solutions across Ohio. Recognized as a powerful connector, she helps organizations navigate large-scale transformation and develop long-term workforce strategies.

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