NCCDA 2025-2026 Executive Board
President
Karen Ingram, Ed.D., NBCT
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator/Curriculum & Instructional Management Coordinator (CIMC), Hickory Public Schools
Dr. Karen Ingram is a National Board-Certified Teacher (NBCT) with over two decades of experience in the educational field. Her background includes a broad range of working in education – from the elementary classroom to the collegiate level. In addition to classroom experience, she has served in multiple leadership roles including district CTE Coordinator, school improvement team, Regional Coaching Coordinator, Regional Coaching Champion, Regional CTE Administrator’s Group Treasurer and as a school district’s Lead Career Academy Director. Ms. Ingram’s prior experience includes serving in Wake County Schools, Raleigh, NC, where she was selected as one of only two NBCTs from the district to participate in the “Standards-Setting Session” for the CTE discipline. She was also selected as the first Teacher of the Year for the City of Medicine Academy during the 2008-2009 school year. Dr. Ingram holds an undergraduate degree in Organizational Management from St. Augustine’s College, a Master’s Degree (M.Ed.) in Business and Marketing Education Curriculum and Instruction from NC State University, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership – Learning, Design, and Technology from UNC-Charlotte, and a K-12 Administration license earned at Gardner Webb University. Dr. Ingram loves to read, conduct research, travel, watch old movies and spend time with friends and family in her spare time.
President-Elect & Conference ChairDeborah Sgro, MS. PMP, CCSPFounder and Principal, Beyond the Glass Ceiling, LLC |
With over 15 years of diverse experience as a career coach, I’ve had the privilege of guiding individuals from all walks of life through meaningful career transitions. My journey has taken me through a variety of industries—civil engineering, math education, non-profit workforce development, healthcare education, and ed tech—all of which have shaped the well-rounded, empathetic coaching approach I bring to my work today.Communications (Newsletter & Social Media Chair)
Karen Parker, GCDF, CCSP, CCTC
Career Success Manager, NGT Academy | Founder/Owner of Career Parkway
Karen Parker is a Career Success Manager at a post secondary vocational school and founder and owner of Career Parkway and has recently launched the Roadmap to Job Searching youtube channel. She has earned her Global Career Development Facilitator, Certified Career Services Provider, and Certified Career Transition Specialist certifications. As a relentlessly curious individual, she continually discovers the newest and most innovative career information, constantly expanding her knowledge.
Karen graduated cum laude from Salem State College with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. She believes that the escalating costs and diminishing access to higher education should not hold you back from your career dreams. She advocates for the recognition of skills, experience, strengths, and alternative learning methods as valid and valuable routes to achieving career goals. Karen encourages individuals to pursue their ambitions regardless of their educational background, promoting a more inclusive and flexible approach to career development.
linkedin.com/in/karenparkernc
Communications (Website & Email Chair)
Natalia Silva Harwood, MA Education and Human Development
Assistant Director for Health Professions Advising, Duke University
Natalia began her advising career over 25 years ago. Before setting foot in the United States, she worked at a US Cultural Center located in the northern part of Brazil where she advised local students on the process of studying abroad, and supported American students participating in an Amazon Studies Program coordinated by the School for International Training. Once in the US, Natalia navigated the American educational system as a nontraditional college student, eventually completing a master’s degree training in counseling from The George Washington University. Her professional passion lies on guiding young adults to develop strategies that best leverage their undergraduate education towards meaningful and sustainable working lives.
During her 13 years at Duke, Natalia has worked with thousands of students and alums who went on to medicine, psychology, and other health professions. Her working with college students focuses on advising on academic choices, extracurricular and professional training, networking strategies, interview practice, and motivation. Before coming to Duke, Natalia served as instructor and advisor at Durham Technical Community College.
In addition to career management advising, Natalia is curious about trauma-informed mindfulness practice, self-determination theory of motivation, Internal Family Systems, new approaches in teaching practices, and AI revolution in the workforce. She also enjoys reading, singing, and comedy (stand-up and improv).
Natalia’s nontraditional educational path is comprised of an associate’s degree from Durham Technical Community College, a bachelor’s of science of management from Phoenix University, and a master’s of arts in education and human development from The George Washington University.
Best Practices Grant Chair
Dr. Regina Gavin Williams
Assistant Professor of Counselor Education and Director of the Career Counseling Program, North Carolina Central University
Dr. Regina Gavin Williams is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education and Director of the Career Counseling program at North Carolina Central University. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor (NC), qualified supervisor (NC), national certified counselor, and a licensed school counselor (GA). She is the 2023 recipient of the Ella Stephens Barrett Award for Excellence in Professional Leadership (North Carolina Counseling Association). Her research focuses on the college and career readiness, adult self-sufficiency, and mental health of youth in foster care, with a secondary research focus related to the intersection of career development and diversity. Her role as a mom inspires her advocacy work on the community stakeholder advisory board for a UNC-Chapel Hill study entitled, ACURE4Moms. Dr. Williams was also appointed by NC Governor Roy Cooper to serve as the Chair of the North Carolina State Youth Advisory Council.
linkedin.com/in/regina-gavin-williams-ph-d-ncc-lcmhc-qs-6a0a04102
Community Outreach Co-Chair
Mallory Harris
Curriculum & Instructional Management Coordinator, Kannapolis City Schools
Until recently, Mallory served as the CTE Curriculum and Professional Development Coordinator (CIMC) with Kannapolis City Schools. Her work spanned various roles with KCS Career and Technical Education department including Culinary Arts and Hospitality Teacher and Career Development and Special Populations Coordinator. While with KCS she collaborated with a dedicated team of community leaders and partners to coach, train, and mentor 25 teachers and coordinators serving students in grades 6-12. Her efforts were focused on improving student performance outcomes by addressing equity gaps in classroom policies and instructional practices. In 2019, Ms. Harris was on the team that won the NC Governor's Innovative Partnership Award for WIN Partnership, a pre-apprenticeship program that places engineering and carpentry students in experiential learning experiences with Wayne Brothers Companies.
Mallory's passion lies in operational development, particularly in building capacity within systems and creating environments where all individuals can thrive. She is committed to developing efficient and effective strategies that support both people and processes, ensuring that resources are utilized to their fullest potential.
Mallory is a proud Virginian, completing her BA in Spanish at the University of Virginia. A lifelong learner, she continued her studies at Johnson and Wales University graduating with a BS in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management and earned her MS in Organizational Leadership from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Community Outreach Co-Chair
Johnette Smith
Career Coach, Wake Technical Community College
Johnette Smith is a seasoned Career Coach at Wake Technical Community College, boasting over five years of dedicated experience in guiding individuals through the intricate landscape of career exploration and professional development. Leveraging her wealth of knowledge, Johnette adeptly assists prospective, enrolled, and alumni students in assessing career possibilities and establishing concrete professional goals.
As a stalwart figure in higher education, Johnette is committed to fostering opportunities that translate aspirations into tangible achievements, dismantling misconceptions, and overcoming barriers that hinder educational attainment and career advancement.
Beyond her career coaching endeavors, Johnette is a staunch advocate for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Serving two consecutive terms as a North Carolina Domestic Violence Commissioner Board Member, she played a pivotal role in advocating for survivors statewide. Her responsibilities included approving court-ordered DV Intervention programs, meticulously evaluating services, policies, and programs designed to support survivors, and advocating for the implementation of innovative initiatives.
When she isn't tirelessly advocating and coaching, Johnette indulges her passion for travel and history, immersing herself in the rich tapestry of each destination she visits. A proud native of North Carolina, with roots in historic New Bern, Johnette currently
calls Cary, NC home, having earned both her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and her Master of Business Administration degree before settling in the area.
Driven by a profound belief in equality and justice, Johnette is committed to leaving a positive, indelible mark on everyone she encounters. Her life's mission is to empower others to reach their full potential, guiding them towards the realization of their
dreams and the fulfillment of their purpose.
Member-at-Large/Membership Co-Chair
Victoria Hamill
CTE Director, Beaufort County Schools
Victoria Hamill is an Eastern North Carolina native and graduate of East Carolina University. She holds multiple licensures in education, a BS in Hospitality Management, and Masters in School Administration. She has 12 years of classroom experience and has held support and administrative positions at K-12 schools for 13 years. She is currently serving as the Director of Career and Technical Education (Workforce, Innovation, and STEM) for Beaufort County Schools.
Member-at-Large/Government & PR
Amy Policastro Schroeder, M.Ed., GCDFI, FCDI, SCDAI, CCSP, MBTI, TC
Education Consultant - Career Development, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction NCDA Government Relations Committee Member
Amy has over 15 years of education experience, and over 10 years in the Business Sector with Human Resources, Publishing, and Corporate Education and Development. She has a background teaching Graphic Communication Industrial Technology in the 6-12 (NJ), Community College of Morris (NJ), and Illinois State University (ISU).
Amy currently serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Development Consultant for the NC Department of Public Instruction where she provides leadership, professional development, curriculum development, consultation, and advocacy to the NC Career Development Coordinators (CDC), CTE Directors, and other stakeholders to ensure NC students are career and college ready. She is certified NCDPI National Career Development Association's "Facilitating Career Development" (FCD) licensure course instructor for new NC CDCs.
linkedin.com/in/amypsbethedifferenceMember-at-Large/Archives
Role currently vacant.
Professional Recognition Awards Committee Member
Brian Calhoun
Associate Professor of the Practice, Wake Forest University Department of Education
Brian Calhoun is an Associate Professor of the Practice in the Department of Education at Wake Forest University. He teaches classes with the College to Career series in the undergraduate college. His professional interests include career counseling and development, and he serves as a member of the National Career Development Association research committee. Mr. Calhoun also serves as a senior faculty fellow in a first-year residence hall. His research agenda focuses on career interventions that assist students with developing and learning more about their career options in the world of work.
linkedin.com/in/bmcalhoun
Professional Recognition Awards Committee Member
Laura Maldonado, PhD., NCC
Senior Research Associate, Advance CTE
Dr. Laura G. Maldonado is a research-practitioner with over two decades of experience in higher education, non-profit, and government spaces. Her higher education experience includes work at research universities, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges. She spent more than a decade working in career services reporting under student affairs, academic affairs, and advancement units.
Laura currently serves as a senior research associate with Advance CTE. In this role, Laura directly supports state policy resources and initiatives. She uses her writing and facilitating skills on a daily basis to strengthen connections between individuals, organizations, and systems.
Laura earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Leadership, Policy and Human Development from North Carolina State University, a Master of Education in Counselor Education from Clemson University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Muhlenberg College. She is a nationally certified counselor committed to advocating for the career trajectories of all learners.
National Career Development Month Co-Chair
Elizabeth Bartell, M.Ed., GCDF, NCC, NBCT-R
Career Development Coordinator, Central Academy of Technology & Arts
Elizabeth has been an educator for over 20 years. She is a National Board Certified Teacher Renewed (in school counseling), has her Global Career Development Facilitator license, National Certified Counselor license and earned her Masters degree in School Counseling from Winthrop University. She started her career as a school counselor serving elementary, middle and high school students and then transitioned into the Career Development Coordinator (CDC) position continuing in Union County Public Schools in Monroe, NC for the past 10 years.
Elizabeth assisted in planning the CTE Spring CDC/SPC SW Regional mini conference from 2021-2023, was selected as the CTE SW Regional CDC Champion for 2022-2023 and also served on the NCDPI CTE Honors Review Team fall of 2023. Additionally she has participated at the CTE Summer Conference for CDC’s as a presenter and session facilitator. She became a member of NCCDA three years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the professional development offered along with the opportunities to network with other career development professionals. Elizabeth joined the NCCDA conference planning committee to help organize the spring 2024 conference and is now in her second year as the co-chair of the National Career Development Month Committee.
In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys singing, music, theater, reading and traveling! She is originally from Florida, is a huge Florida Gator fan (UF is her undergrad alma mater), has 4 children and one grandchild!
linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-bartell-m-ed-gcdf-ncc-nbct-r-33963722
National Career Development Month Co-Chair
Allison Bowen, M.Ed, GCDF
Career Coach, Southeastern Community College
Allison is a Career Coach at Southeastern Community College, bringing over a decade of diverse experience in education to her role. With a background spanning from teaching to school counseling, Allison's journey has culminated in her current position as a dedicated career coach.
She holds a master's degree in school counseling from North Carolina State University, supplementing her expertise with the recent attainment of her Global Career Development Facilitator credential. Her educational foundation includes an undergraduate degree in Business and Marketing Education, also from North Carolina State University.
In her capacity as a Career Coach, Allison actively engages with high school students and staff, fosters relationships with industry partners, and collaborates closely with SCC colleagues to bridge connections between academia and the workforce.
Returning to her roots in Columbus County, Allison is enthusiastic about contributing to the community where she was raised. Beyond her professional endeavors, she takes pride in caring for her beloved golden doodle and mini dachshund.
During her leisure time, Allison indulges her passion for exploration by traveling, trying out new restaurants, and cheering on her alma mater at NCSU games.
linkedin.com/in/aagibson1127
Continuing Education Committee Member
Jamie Johnson, MS Counseling, NCC, CCC
Counselor/Owner, Paths2take Consulting
Jamie’s passion is helping others find their purpose/passion. She loves helping others navigate through the career development process. She has been in the field of Career Development for over 30 years. She has worked in business, education and non-profit settings helping others with their career/life development. She received her Master’s in Counseling from the California University State, Northridge in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling and her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications. She is a Certified Career Counselor (NCDA) and certified in the Strong Interest Inventory and a MBTI Master Practitioner. She runs her private practice in Career Counseling, Paths2take, part-time and works full-time as a Career Advisor for the University of Phoenix.
On weekends, she spends her time serving as a Cantor at a Messianic Jewish Synagogue and plays percussion in the praise and worship band. She loves animals and is currently rescuing feral kitties from the streets of Kannapolis. She has three kitties, Max, Prince, and Tigger (rescued from the streets) and Rami a Straight Egyptian Arabian.
Continuing Education Committee Member
Cindy Haeck, M.Ed., NCC, LCMHC, CCC, FCD-I
Career Coach, Wilmington Career Counseling
Cindy has 20+ years of experience as a high school and community college counselor, career development coordinator, academic and career advisor, as well as non-profits. She routinely volunteered to serve on school improvement, SACS accreditation, student success committees and other initiatives designed to promote a quality educational experience for students and staff. Since retiring from the State of NC, she has been engaged in part-time private practice as a career coach in Wilmington, NC. She continues to be passionate about supporting and empowering students and adults in creating their best life story, whether choosing a college or identifying occupational fit.
She completed the M.Ed. in Counseling (Agency and School) at North Carolina State University and B.S. Psychology at Central Michigan University. As a lifelong learner, she completed the NCDA Career Development Facilitation Instructor training in 2022 and remains active in several professional and community organizations. She’s meets monthly with the NCDA Private Practice constituency group, and attends local, state, and national conferences that focus on mental health and career development.
Traveling, quilting, crafting, yoga, swimming, walking, biking, wine tasting, coffee with friends, family gatherings at the beach and her grand dog round out her days!
Continuing Education Committee Member
Katie Peterssen, M.Ed., NCC, LCMHC-A
Program Director, MMS Career Services, Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Katie Peterssen has more than 15 years of experience helping individuals explore pathways and strategies to meet their career and academic goals. An expert in career and professional development, she has a knack for recognizing and cultivating strengths in individuals and within teams. Katie has served in various leadership roles on the NCCDA board, including as President from 2020-2021, and is certified to facilitate the EQ-i 2.0 and EQ 360 assessments. Katie serves as the Program Director for MMS Career Services at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and as Co-Founder of Ignite Career and Leadership Development, LLC. She has lived up and down the East Coast, earning her BS in Information Design and Corporate Communication from Bentley University and completed her MEd in Counselor Education at North Carolina State University. Published in 2023, Katie co-authored, An Innovative Approach to Career Counseling: Theory and Practical Application.
linkedin.com/in/kpeterssen