Amy Tavares MS, NCC, LPC (she/her) is the inaugural program manager of Carnegie Mellon University's Olitsky Program. The Olitsky Program aims to bridge the gap to meaningful employment for individuals who may identify with having cognitive or emotional differences. It provides strength-based guidance, builds partnerships with employers and communities, and creates opportunities to showcase talents and launch successful careers. 

Amy is passionate about increasing awareness and accessibility for individuals with all different abilities on campus, on the job, and in the community through collaborative efforts.

Dr. Andrew Begel, PhD is a tenured Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He is known internationally for his pioneering research and leadership in accessibility and inclusion in technology. He runs the VariAbility Lab, which aims to create inclusive workplaces where all people, especially the neurodivergent, can be successful without discrimination. Dr. Begel co-founded the Neurodiversity at Work Research Conference series and the Southern Great Lakes Region Neurodiversity at Work Hub, both of which bring together interdisciplinary researchers, employers, service providers, and self-advocates to help neurodivergent individuals find jobs and stay employed. 

Dr. Brett Ranon Nachman is an assistant professor of higher education at the University of Pittsburgh. A leading scholar on issues pertaining to autistic students’ experiences and portrayals in higher education, he has published more than a dozen journal articles on this community in leading journals including The Review of Higher Education, Journal of College Student Development, and Teachers College Record. He serves as the director of research for the College Autism Network nonprofit organization. Dr. Nachman’s scholarship also covers issues around disability in higher education, community colleges, and teaching and learning. 

Ryan Palm is the Executive Director of the Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity at Mercyhurst University. Palm was appointed to this role in November 2023 after a three-year stint at Erie Insurance. He is no stranger to Mercyhurst, having graduated from the University in 2007 with a degree in Intelligence Studies, and having worked in the University Advancement Department from 2010 to 2021. The Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity will expand the mission of the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) program, with focus on increasing enrollment and building corporate relationships and employment opportunities. 

In this role Ryan brings employment experience in three primary sectors – government, nonprofit, and corporate – and leverages those experience and connections to help AIM students with their career aspirations. Ryan also leverages the relationship-building experience to identify new partnership opportunities that will benefit both Mercyhurst students as well as the external partner, creating a new or expanded pipeline of neurodivergent talent. 

Amber Westwood is an ACRE-certified professional and Charting the Life Course Ambassador who serves as Associate Director of Business Services at Achieva. Over a decade of experience in Human Resources and Employment Supports, Amber works at the intersection of workforce development and disability inclusion, partnering with employers to expand competitive, integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Amber is actively involved in the InVEST Project, a federally funded initiative supporting workers with disabilities in transitioning to competitive employment. Drawing on experience in the healthcare and technology sectors, Amber brings a collaborative, employer-focused perspective to inclusive hiring, talent strategy, and systems change. Amber holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management with an emphasis in Labor Relations from Saint Francis University.

Karen Krainz Edison, MSW, LISW-S, is the Associate Director of College Support Programs at The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, where she supports the academic and social success of Autistic, Neurodivergent, and intellectually disabled college students. She completed training through the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program, which provides interdisciplinary education to enhance clinical expertise and leadership skills for professionals supporting individuals with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities across the lifespan. 

Before entering social work, Karen had an extensive background in business management, which enables her to design innovative programs, provide career direction, and develop community partnerships focused on Autistic adults. 

She serves on multiple boards, where she advocates for neuroinclusive workplace practices and contributes to shaping national conversations on autism and employment. Her leadership roles include: A local non-profit promoting neuroinclusive workplaces; Capital University’s Social Work Community Advisory Board; The College Autism Summit’s Employer Connection Series and Advisory Board; UCONN’s University Council for Neurodiversity Employment.

In 2024, she was recognized as the College Autism Network’s Contributor of the Year. She also co-founded the Southern Great Lakes Regional Neurodiversity at Work Hub with Andrew Begel, PhD, from Carnegie Mellon, and co-advises two OSU organizations supporting Autistic and Neurodivergent students and allies. 

With a background in social work, Chris is a career counselor at JFCS Career Services with more than eight years of experience providing holistic employment support to neurodivergent young adults and individuals with mental health challenges. 

In his current role, Chris partners with universities to deliver targeted on-campus career support and one-on-one coaching to neurodivergent students, students with mental health conditions, and alumni seeking mental health-informed career guidance. He empowers these individuals by leveraging his expertise to help them navigate their unique challenges. 

Chris holds a Master's of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, he is a certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer who has done consulting work with Pittsburgh-based tech companies to promote neurodiversity awareness and foster better hiring and talent development practices.

Sarah Krupp has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, nearly all of which has been at Penn State University. Her background includes roles as an Athletic Academic Counselor, Undergraduate Academic Adviser, and Career Services Specialist.

She currently serves as the Western Region Employer Engagement Specialist for Penn State University’s Central Career Services and is based in Pittsburgh. In this role, Sarah partners with employers across a wide range of industries to strategically leverage resources for student recruitment and career readiness programming. She also supports colleagues at the Commonwealth campuses by engaging employers and alumni to expand career exploration, professional development, and networking opportunities for students.

Serving on this committee has allowed Sarah to broaden her knowledge and identify innovative ways to support key stakeholders while enhancing best practices and pathways to success. She is passionate about helping students achieve career readiness and confidence and about assisting employers in connecting with emerging talent.

Peg Monaghan is the Associate Director and Employment Advisor for the Drexel University Center for Autism and Neurodiversity. Her focus is on supporting students as they pursue their interests, skills and talents to find, get and keep meaningful co-ops as students and career roles as graduates and alumni. In her role as job coach for those who have found meaningful employment, she supports employees as they find success in their roles and plan their job development for the future.

Before joining CAN Peg was the Program Consultant for the SAP Autism at Work Program. She has participated with the program since its inception in 2014 as a buddy and mentor. She co-developed and facilitated the Enterprise Readiness Academy to help candidates continue to develop their teamwork, communication and collaboration skills.

Peg is a founding member of the Neurodiversity Employment Network - Philadelphia whose mission is to connect job seekers, employers, educators, and service providers to enable neurodivergent individuals gain meaningful employment.

Peg has had many years of IT experience working before moving on to her full-time work in neurodiverse employment. Peg has a BA and MBA in Computer Science and Information Technology from LaSalle University and MS in Virtual Team Management from Brandeis University. She has 8 years of experience as an Adjunct faculty member teaching Computer Science.

Pam Day, JD, EdD, is the Workforce Program Supervisor with JFCS Career Services in Pittsburgh. In her role she develops and coordinates workforce programs and direct services, oversees a dynamic team of career counselors, and assists with managing grant-specific initiatives, including liaising with external partner organizations and funders.  With over two decades of experience in the field, she brings deep expertise in workforce development and is committed to building strong community partnerships that expand career services and connect job seekers with employers.  Equally, Pam is passionate about fostering inclusion in the workplace, ensuring that diverse perspectives and equitable opportunities are integrated throughout workforce initiatives.

Shawnte Knox is a strategic, people-centered Employer Relations Specialist with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a passion for community impact. She brings experience in nonprofit development, workforce engagement, and inclusive hiring, with a strong record of building partnerships across employers, education, and community organizations. Focused on equity and access, Shawnte excels at aligning talent pipelines with real-world opportunities and supporting diverse job seekers while helping organizations meet their hiring goals with purpose.