Donate Today

Project SEARCH

[minti_spacer]

[minti_image img=”15239″ align=”center”]

[minti_image img=”15139″ align=”center”]

Project SEARCH is: 

  • A 9-month unpaid internship program for students and young adults with disabilities
    • Rotate through 3 internships; 4-5 hours/day
    • Instruction focused on job preparation and soft skills
  • Goal – competitive integrated employment for at least 16 hours a week above minimum wage
  • Business led with support from community partners
  • Supported by a sustainable braided funding model

Project SEARCH team works with participants to provide support and accommodations as needed for success.

Participants have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves into the workplace, learning in real-life settings & developing transferrable job skills­.

[minti_spacer height=”20″]

[minti_image img=”15142″ align=”center” lightbox=”1″]

[minti_image img=”15153″ align=”center” lightbox=”1″]

[minti_image img=”15206″ align=”center” lightbox=”1″]

[minti_image img=”15196″ align=”center” lightbox=”1″]

[minti_image img=”15198″ align=”center” lightbox=”1″]

[minti_image img=”15203″ align=”center” lightbox=”1″]

[minti_image img=”15200″ align=”center” lightbox=”1″]

[minti_image img=”15202″ align=”center” lightbox=”1″]

[minti_image img=”15204″ align=”center” lightbox=”1″]

[minti_image img=”15208″ align=”center” lightbox=”1″]

[minti_image img=”15205″ align=”center” lightbox=”1″]

[minti_image img=”15285″ align=”center” lightbox=”1″]

[minti_spacer]

Benefits to Young Adults

  • Acquire competitive, transferable, and marketable job skills
  • Gain increased independence, confidence and self-esteem
  • Obtain on-the-job support, instruction and feedback throughout the program

Benefits to Business

  • Access to diverse talent pool with skills to match labor needs
  • Increased performance and retention in high turnover, entry level positions
  • Interns and employees with disabilities serve as role models for others

Inside Project SEARCH at Froedtert Hospital

 

Applications are now open for all host sites!

To apply for CEO’s Project SEARCH  fill out the application below and follow the submission instructions of the Project SEARCH host site of your choice or contact us directly to get in touch with a Project SEARCH specialist for placement assistance.

Project SEARCH host sites include:

Children’s Wisconsin

(Hybrid Program for Students and Young Adults)

Froedtert Hospital

(Adult Program Only)

ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital

(Hybrid Program for Students and Young Adults)

[minti_spacer]

Lori Golden
Chair
Ernst & Young

Lori serves as Ernst & Young’s Abilities Strategy leader, driving efforts to build an enabling and inclusive work environment for people of all abilities. She consults on accommodations and career development issues for EY staff working with differing abilities, and advises the firm’s AccessAbilities professional resource network, which includes over 900 people from across the organization’s geographies, ranks, and functional groups.

Lori leads initiatives to enhance ergonomics and accessibility in EY offices, communications, meetings, trainings, and technology and to educate EY people on abilities-related issues.

Lori is a member of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Circle of Champions and serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the U.S. Business Leadership Network Board of Directors. She’s been with EY 16 years.

Karee Bilsky Employment Consultant/Skills Trainer 

Karee is an Employment Consultant/Skills Trainer with TransCen’s Project SEARCH team at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. She brings more than 20 years of experience working with children, educators, families, and organizations. Known for her warm, encouraging nature and collaborative approach, Karee is passionate about building relationships, creating supportive learning environments, and helping young people recognize their strengths. She especially enjoys helping individuals build confidence, develop greater independence, and gain the skills they need to succeed in the workplace and beyond. Outside of work, Karee enjoys spending time with her husband and five children, traveling, cooking, taking walks, and staying active in her community.

Jenni Hamilton
Employment Consultant 

Jenni Hamilton is an Employment Consultant with TransCen/Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO), specializing in job coaching. Known for her reliability, empathy, and ability to build strong relationships, Jenni brings a compassionate, collaborative, and “think-outside-the-box” approach to her work.

She has more than 11 years of experience in special education as a paraprofessional, supporting students ages 2.5 to 21, most recently in a transition program for young adults where she helped build independence, employability skills, and community participation.

Jenni is committed to continuous learning and holds certifications in CPI, CPR/AED, and First Aid, along with training in AAC devices. She has experience supporting individuals with a wide range of abilities, with a strong focus on self-advocacy and meaningful participation in daily life.

Outside of work, Jenni enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids, and four “fur babies.” In the summer, you’ll find her at the beach or kayaking, while in the colder months she enjoys thrift shopping and binge-watching crime documentaries and reality TV.

April Blaske
Billing Specialist

April is a Billing Specialist with TransCen/CEO. She is excited to bring her 5+ years of healthcare and administrative experience to a company dedicated to helping people with disabilities find meaningful employment. Her background as a medical professional, where she advocated for those under her care, is at the heart of her commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others. With a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and passion for her work, April is dedicated to ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and timely completion of her responsibilities. She takes pride in contributing to a team that supports individuals in achieving their employment goals. Outside of work, April enjoys spending time with her family and dog, as well as curling up with a good book.

Jamia Drewery
Employment Consultant 

Jamia Drewery is an Employment Consultant with TransCen. With a strong background in mental health education and special education, Jamia brings extensive experience from her previous work with treatment facilities throughout Maryland and MCPS. Her collaborative approach allows her to build meaningful partnerships and support individuals in reaching their full potential.

Jamia’s dedication and commitment to her work have been recognized by MCPS, where she received the “Unleashing Potential” ribbon award. This recognition reflects the hard work, passion, and dedication she brings to her role each day.

Jamia earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Virginia Union University in 2020. Currently in her first year of graduate school at Grand Canyon University, she is pursuing her master’s degree in education with a focus on special education. She is passionate about continuing to grow professionally and expanding her ability to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Outside of work, Jamia values spending quality time with family and friends, staying engaged with sports, reading, and enjoying her favorite television series. She appreciates opportunities to unwind, connect with loved ones, and maintain a well-rounded life beyond the workplace.

Patricia “Pat” Lindsey
Business Liaison

Pat Lindsey is a Business Liaison with TransCen/Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO), specializing in community-based services. Known for her positive energy and welcoming spirit, Pat brings an enthusiastic, and purpose-driven approach to everything she does, building connections and making things happen. With 25+ years in project management—supporting several Fortune 100 companies in the Milwaukee area, Pat knows how to turn ideas into action.

She pairs that expertise with more than a decade of volunteer service across Milwaukee, contributing her time and talents to organizations like Above the Clouds, the YMCA Black Achievers Program, and the SDC Foundation. Outside of work, Pat enjoys reading, teaching Sunday School, and ushering – all grounded in a deep spirit of service. She’s always learning, always growing, and always ready to bring a little extra light to the people and communities around her.

Patricia “Pat” Lindsey Business Liaison

Pat Lindsey is a Business Liaison with TransCen/Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO), specializing in community-based services. Known for her positive energy and welcoming spirit, Pat brings an enthusiastic, and purpose-driven approach to everything she does, building connections and making things happen. With 25+ years in project management—supporting several Fortune 100 companies in the Milwaukee area, Pat knows how to turn ideas into action.

She pairs that expertise with more than a decade of volunteer service across Milwaukee, contributing her time and talents to organizations like Above the Clouds, the YMCA Black Achievers Program, and the SDC Foundation. Outside of work, Pat enjoys reading, teaching Sunday School, and ushering – all grounded in a deep spirit of service. She’s always learning, always growing, and always ready to bring a little extra light to the people and communities around her.

Sean Roy
Chief Innovation and Training Officer

Sean is TransCen’s Chief Innovation and Training Officer at TransCen, Inc., where he specializes in helping employment services staff and transition educators deliver high-quality, person-centered services and build strong partnerships with families. Known for engaging, practical presentations, Sean has a knack for connecting people around outcomes that actually matter.

He firmly believes the best coaching happens in the field and enjoys traveling the country to learn from—and laugh with—the many great people doing this work.

Sean brings extensive experience managing large-scale state and federal projects and is a national subject matter expert on Seamless Transition and family engagement.

He’s an experienced ACRE trainer, a Charting the LifeCourse trainer and subject matter expert, and a frequent conference speaker and webinar presenter. When he’s not working, Sean enjoys traveling with his wife, Lori, trying new breweries, and getting lost in a good mystery novel.


Sara Murphy
Senior Training Associate 

Sara is a Senior Training Associate with TransCen, Inc., specializing in program development, service innovation in employment and community-based programming, and disability policy. Known for her inclusive, person-driven approach and her pragmatic, “rubber-meets-the-road” perspective, Sara brings more than 30 years of experience teaching, providing services, and working alongside school systems, service providers, and state agencies.

Her work focuses on community inclusion, Customized Employment, person-centered and community-based services, and system change, and she is valued for offering practical guidance that translates easily into action.

Sara currently serves as a subject matter expert for the U.S. Department of Labor’s ODEP NEON Project. Outside of work, Sara spends as much time as possible at her family’s cabin in the redwoods with her dog.

Laura Owens, Ph.D., CESP
President of TransCen, Inc

Laura Owens, President of TransCen, Inc., brings more than 40 years of experience as a national leader in the disability employment field and a lifelong commitment to inclusion. She is Professor Emerita at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee School of Education, where she taught for 28 years and still occasionally teaches courses focused on inclusive high school education and the transition from school to work for students with disabilities.

Laura began her career as a special education teacher in Racine and Milwaukee Public Schools, working with students with complex support and mental health needs. Early on, she saw students with strong skills and résumés being routed into segregated work settings, an experience that inspired her to found Creative Employment Opportunities, Inc. (CEO) in 1991—now part of TransCen—and later ArtWorks for Milwaukee, an arts-based job training program for at-risk youth and youth with disabilities.

Before joining TransCen, Laura served as Executive Director of APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First), where she helped advance integrated employment nationwide. Her professional interests include transition to adult life, intersectionality within the disability community, and promoting self-advocacy through self-directed IEPs and person-directed support.

An internationally recognized speaker, Laura has presented in countries including Israel, Ireland, Croatia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Chile, and Portugal. What Laura enjoys most is working directly with individuals with disabilities and supporting the teachers, employment professionals, and employers who help people pursue meaningful work and full community participation.

Christa Martin, MRC, CRC
Ticket to Work Program Coordinator 

Christa is the Ticket to Work Program Coordinator with TransCen, Inc. specializing in helping Social Security beneficiaries navigate complex systems and achieve competitive, integrated employment as they work toward their full potential.

Known for her dynamic energy and “vision-to-fruition” approach, Christa brings nearly 15 years of experience as a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, with a focus on ethics and professional development in Vocational Rehabilitation, and she is currently pursuing her certification as a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC). She also serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and as a forensic Vocational Expert for the Social Security Administration’s Office of Hearing Operations. Outside of work, Christa enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering in her community, and watching freighters pass by—or even catching the northern lights dancing across the sky.

Emily Malsch
Contracts and Outreach Coordinator

Emily is the Contracts and Outreach Coordinator with TransCen, Inc. and the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, specializing in grants and contracts management and supporting programs and initiatives across the organization.

Known for her strong organizational skills and attention to detail, Emily brings a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to her work.

She has expanded TransCen’s revenue and reach by managing federal, state, and foundation grants while strengthening partnerships that increase demand for training and consultation services, and she has led project coordination for trainings and events while developing publications, website content, and newsletters to boost engagement and visibility. Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and pets and taking spontaneous road trips.

Taryn Kroll
Director of Employment Services 

Taryn is the Director of Employment Services at TransCen, Inc./Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO), where she leads and manages TransCen’s Milwaukee-based employment services team. With more than 20 years of experience championing children and adults with disabilities—largely through her “rockstar” career as a special education teacher and administrator—Taryn is fueled by the belief that everyone deserves equal opportunity, access, and a real chance to thrive. She holds a master’s degree in Special Education along with additional certifications in Educational Leadership, but her true strength lies in her ability to see beyond disability and connect with people as individuals. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, relaxing by a campfire with family and friends, hiking with her two beloved dogs, and escaping to Northern Wisconsin to fish and soak up the outdoors.

Ben Kaufman, LMSW
Special Projects Director

Ben is a Special Projects Director with the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. He works across Center functions to ensure that all initiatives (training, communities of practice, resource materials, etc.) have the structure, staffing, and partnerships needed to flexibly respond to expressed and anticipated needs of disabled people and the entities that shape their experiences.

With more than a decade of public health experience and a background in community organizing, Ben brings strengths in leadership development, interdisciplinary training on a range of disability and adjacent topics, and capacity building. Known for translating established values into impactful nonprofit programming, Ben listens and cultivates relationships with deep care, embraces boldness, and facilitates collaborative spaces with approachable enthusiasm.

Outside of work, Ben enjoys playing softball, experimenting in the kitchen, and weekend adventures with his family. Also pastries.

Dwight Johnson Employment Consultant

Dwight is a native Milwaukeean, and has been an Employment Consultant with TransCen, Inc./ Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO) since 2005. He is especially passionate about supporting individuals with high support needs and helping them build independence and confidence on the job. Dwight’s creativity, patience, and steady support have helped many individuals with significant needs secure permanent employment. Before joining CEO, he spent 30 years with Milwaukee Public Schools as an educational assistant, supporting at-risk students and students with disabilities. He is also a trained instructor in Systematic Instruction through Mark Gold & Associates. Outside of work, Dwight is a devoted Wisconsin sports fan – Brewers, Bucks and Packers (he even has season tickets!), enjoys golfing & boating in the summer, and likes keeping an eye on the stock market.

Victoria Jensen
Employment Consultant

Victoria Jensen is an Employment Consultant with TransCen, Inc./Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Milwaukee, WI, specializing in job development and employer engagement.

Known for her perseverance, strong networking skills, and enthusiastic spirit, Victoria—often called Vickie—brings decades of experience in education and transition services to her work.

She holds a master’s degree in educational administration and is certified as a Pupil Services Director, Principal, Cross-Categorical Teacher (Grades 1–12), and Elementary Teacher (K–8). A retired Transition Coordinator and Special Education Teacher from Franklin Public Schools, she was honored during her career with both Quality Program of the Year and Exemplary Program of the Year awards. Outside of work, Victoria enjoys spending time with family, creative writing, reading, traveling, dancing, and swimming.

She studies Theater Writing through the Osher program at UWM, and several of her plays have been selected for readings and special presentations. She is also the co-creator of Tapestry of the Heart; a self-published biography created with graphic artist Joe Hausch. Victoria shares her life with her husband Rick, her adult children Amanda and Brooke/Felix, a cat named Dexter, a grand pup named Porter, and grand kittens Remi and Stuart.

Myrah Osmani
Employment Services Director 

Myrah Osmani serves as the Employment Services Director for TransCen. She brings a decade of nonprofit experience, specializing in refugee resettlement.

Myrah holds a Master of Science in Refugee Studies from London South Bank University and is passionate about direct service and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she works with.

Outside of the office, she stays active as both a group fitness enthusiast and a certified cycle instructor.

Nancy Horton
Associate Director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center 

Nancy Horton is the Associate Director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, where she provides information and guidance to individuals with disabilities, employers, business operators, architects, and other stakeholders on the practical application of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

She also writes and edits articles, fact sheets, and bulletins on ADA topics and develops training materials that support accessibility and compliance across sectors. With more than 35 years of experience in the disability field, Nancy brings deep expertise in conducting facility access surveys, reviewing architectural plans, and delivering trainings on accessible design, employment provisions, and effective communication requirements.

Her thoughtful, detail-oriented approach helps organizations translate ADA requirements into real-world solutions.

Paige Holman

 

Paige Holman
Graphic Design and Social Media Specialist

Paige Holman is a Graphic Design and Social Media Specialist with TransCen, Inc. and the Mid Atlantic ADA Center, specializing in digital storytelling and inclusive content creation. Paige is known for her reflective, human-centered approach and brings intentionality and strong guiding principles to her work. Drawing from her own experience with 504 and IEP accommodations, she values a strengths-based framework that destigmatizes cognitive and developmental diversity while celebrating each individual’s innate gifts.

She began studying Spanish in college and spent four years after graduation living and working in Mexico City, collaborating with U.S.- and Mexico-based nonprofits while strengthening her expertise in visual content creation, social media management, and grant writing. Now based in Seattle, Paige spends her free time on arts projects, cooking dishes from around the world, photographing the everyday, and planning her next off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Allison Greinert
Employment Consultant

Allison is an Employment Consultant with TransCen, Inc./Creative Employment Opportunities, specializing in job development and skills training. Known for thinking outside the box (and sometimes ditching the box altogether), Allison brings an optimistic, can-do approach to her work and several years of experience in employment-based services supporting individuals with disabilities. When she’s not working, Allison can be found hiking, tending to her garden, or spending time with the people she loves.

Maynor Guillen


Maynor Guillen
E-Learning and Multimedia Producer

Maynor is the E-Learning and Multimedia Producer for TransCen, Inc. and the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, where he manages the technical production and delivery of online learning and multimedia initiatives. Known for his collaborative spirit, problem-solving skills, and multicultural approach, Maynor plays a key role on internal teams and national projects, while also leading outreach efforts to underserved communities.

During his two decades with TransCen, he has supported the delivery of hundreds of trainings and events reaching thousands of participants nationwide and has presented at numerous outreach sessions educating the public about the Americans with Disabilities Act. Maynor also helped forge a partnership between the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center and the Endependence Center of Northern Virginia to launch Conferencia: Camino a la Transición de Escuela a Vida Adulta, an annual, fully Spanish-language conference that equips families and youth with disabilities with information on the ADA, IDEA, Section 504, and community transition resources. Outside of work, Maynor enjoys all forms of cycling, including tandem cycling with the Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes and adaptive mountain biking with Montgomery Parks and Catalyst Sports.

Jen Fuller

Jen Fuller
Human Resources Specialist

Jen is the Human Resources Specialist with TransCen, Inc. and the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, where she supports employee relations, recruiting, and benefits administration. Known for her positive, welcoming presence, Jen brings an open, energetic, and people-first approach to her work, and has played a key role in streamlining recruiting and onboarding processes while keeping the employee handbook current and accessible.

Outside of work, Jen enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and baking, and cheering on Philadelphia sports, especially the Phillies.

Mary Fitzgerald

Mary Fitzgerald
Employment Specialist

Mary is an Employment Specialist with TransCen, Inc./Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO), specializing in skills training and job development. Mary is all about authentic connections and loves figuring out what motivates people to be their best selves—something that helps her build rapport quickly with participants in Project SEARCH and out in the community. She lives in Wauwatosa with her husband, Jim, a chaplain at Zilber Family Hospice, and their two Siberian cats, who clearly run the household.

Ann Deschamps
Director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

Ann is the Director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, housed at TransCen, Inc., where she specializes in applying the ADA to real-life situations in ways that are practical, thoughtful, and effective. Known for her extroverted nature and infectious enthusiasm, Ann brings decades of experience to her work and holds the unofficial title of longest-serving TransCen staff member, having spent her career bridging school-to-work transition with ADA research and training. One of her all-time favorite work memories is sitting on the White House lawn on July 26, 1990, to witness the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act—a once-in-a-lifetime moment that still fuels her passion today. When she’s not working, Ann can be found leading mindfulness meditation classes, spending time with her grandchildren, and reminding the rest of us to slow down and listen.

Thomasina Byrd Administrative Associate

Thomasina is the Administrative Associate, providing technical and logistical support on special projects for the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, as well as a number of other workforce projects at TransCen. Having held positions in the medical, nonprofit, and business fields, Thomasina tailors her skills to meet the needs of others. She has extensive experience as a visionary problem-solver and creative tactician with an innate ability to connect with others. In Thomasina’s spare time, she loves spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys being near the water, dancing, and drawing. Making organic pain relief products is a new passion of hers.

 

 

Judith Borten, Ph.D. (hon.)​

 

Judy, a co-founder of TransCen, devoted her life as an advocate for children and adults with disabilities and their families. In addition to her work with TransCen, Judy served on the board of the Ivymount School in Rockville, Maryland, a non-public school serving students with autism, developmental disabilities, communication disorders, learning disabilities, and health impairments. She previously served as an executive board member of the Learning Disabilities Association of Montgomery County, Maryland. She also served on the advisory committee to the Superintendent of Special and Alternative Education of Montgomery County Public Schools, the advisory committee to the Office of Special Education in the Maryland State Department of Education, the advisory committee to the Office of Special Student Services at Montgomery College, and the advisory committee of Montgomery County Public Schools’ Department of Staff Development. In recognition of her work for individuals with disabilities, Judy received the Montgomery County Volunteer Activist Award, the Montgomery County Public Schools Recognition Award, and Honorary Life Membership from the Maryland Congress of Parents and Teachers.

Though Judy Borten’s physical being succumbed to a several-year struggle with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease on September 16, 2019, her keen intellect, amazing athleticism and love for family and cherished friends lives on. Judy touched hundreds of lives during her 81 years, including family, friends, colleagues, and students. She will be dearly missed by her husband/best friend/devoted life-long partner (they met when Judy was just 14 years old) Bill Borten, her sister Adrienne (who Judy idolized) and brother-in-law Martin Zausner, her three sons, Jeff (wife Jill), Dan (Katie) and Matt (Cathy), five grandchildren Ariel (Steven), Jeremy (Darcy), Michael, Holden and Yardley, her new great granddaughter Abigail, and the treasured friends she amassed and with whom she diligently kept in contact throughout her life.

Margit Meissner​

Margit was instrumental in the founding of TransCen, and empowered thousands of Montgomery County, Maryland residents to triumph over adversity. Born in Austria and raised in Prague, Margit fled to France when the Nazis annexed Czechoslovakia. After a hair-raising escape from the Nazis, she came penniless to the United States. She eventually settled in the Washington D.C. suburbs where she worked for 20 years for the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) system. When she retired, she was saluted as an outstanding advocate for children with disabilities. She founded a countywide program that coordinates PTA Special Needs Committees throughout MCPS and provides support for parents of children with disabilities. As an MCPS employee, Margit shed light on equal opportunity for students with disabilities. She introduced programs for gifted students with learning disabilities and cleared obstacles to the first MCPS curricula for students with autism. As MCPS transition coordinator, she developed a model that continues to provide support to special education students as they prepare for life after graduation. Upon her retirement from MCPS in 1992, she worked with the school system to implement compliance activities associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In this role, she produced an award-winning public service video designed to reduce the stigmatization of persons with disabilities. Many organizations have saluted Margit as an outstanding advocate for children with disabilities and the including the Maryland Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the Maryland Arc. In 2003, MCPS presented her with a Distinguished Service Award and named her as “Pioneer Individual” for significantly impacting the successes of special education curricula in the county.

Margit lived an exceptional life. She decided—at the age of 80—that it was time to write a book, Margit’s Story, about her experience as a Holocaust survivor. In the 12 years since the publication of her autobiography, she shared her story with many visitors to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, where she volunteered as a guide and was an original museum donor.

More on Margit’s life and experiences can be found in the links provided below. We encourage you to check them out and share them with others. As the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum posted on their Facebook page, “Remember Margit by sharing her story and listening to her advice about standing up, taking risks, and being curious.”

Washington Post Obituary

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum First Person video

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum “Meet Holocaust Survivors”

Bethesda Magazine “My Two Cents: Margit’s Story.” Written former TransCen Board Member Joseph Hawkins

Margit’s Story on Amazon Books

Carmen Rojas Secretary
Hispanic Business Foundation

Carmen Rojas currently serves as the Director of Development for the Hispanic Business Foundation in Bethesda, Maryland. She also coordinates most of the activities of the HBF’s youth programs. She serves as a liaison between the small and mid-sized business community in Montgomery County, particularly the Hispanic and other minority groups owned businesses, and young adults looking for internships and jobs.

Bob Rudney​

Vice Chair
Bob Rudney is a disability activist, defense and international security specialist, fledgling novelist, accomplished oil painter, and devoted weight trainer. Until retirement in August 2012, he served as Senior Advisor (political appointee) in the U.S. Department of the Air Force, where he focused on humanitarian assistance, resilience and suicide prevention training, and wounded warrior policy and programs.

He also launched the HQ AF Disability Employee Resource Group, the first such group in DoD. For his accomplishments, he received the USAF Outstanding Civilian Service Award at his retirement.

Bob worked previously for the international consulting firm of Booz Allen Hamilton (2001-2009), where he managed intelligence analysis projects. In 2008-2009, he received a Kennedy Foundation Congressional Fellowship, serving in the office of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), where he worked on defense, disability, and other legislative issues.

Bob received his Ph.D. in French History from Michigan, defending a thesis entitled “From Luxury to Popular Tourism: The Transformation of the Resort City of Nice.” He also has a B.A. from Dartmouth and an M.A. from Oxford. He has co-authored four books on international security and nonproliferation and published over 50 professional articles (including op-eds in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Le Monde). In April 2012, he published his first novel, Lovers Lame, on the lives and loves of people with disabilities.

For 15 years (1994-2009) as a volunteer, Bob led the EXCEL! Networking Group, an employment support group for job seekers with disabilities in the Washington area. He was named ‘National Disabled Employee of the Year’ in 2007 by Careers and the Disabled magazine, while serving as an intelligence analyst at Booz Allen. In December 2011, he was selected USAF National ‘Outstanding Employee with a Disability.’

Bob previously served as Board Secretary for the DC Center for Independent Living and as Board Chair for Jane Franklin Dance Group. He is married with three grown children and lives in Washington, DC.

Daniel Samek, Esq.

Born and raised in Maryland, I am a performance and results-driven professional with a diverse background in Information Technology, Cyber Security, and Law. My education and professional background include a Master’s Degree in Cyber Security and hands-on experience with a prominent technology company in Rockville, MD.

After gaining several years of professional and business experience, I enrolled in law school to combine my IT training and skills with the knowledge of law. 

In 2020, I received my Juris Doctor degree from University of Baltimore School of Law and by 2021 I was admitted to practice law in the state of Maryland.

I currently work as a corporate and business attorney for Samek, Werther & Mills LLC, a law firm located in Rockville Maryland.

In my spare time, I enjoy mastering new recipes, spending time with my dogs, and traveling.

Edward Sheehy

Edward’s introduction to the field of employment disability issues was personal – his son, Charlie, has autism and an intellectual disability. When Charlie finished school and wanted to work, Edward and his wife contacted Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Milwaukee and in a remarkably short time Charlie found employment.

His Job Developer and Coaches were instrumental and essential in his success. Years later, when Edward decided on a career change, this experience led to a few conversations with Laura Owens and resulted in his joining CEO as a Job Developer.

Earlier, Edward had spent fifteen years as a small business entrepreneur and many other years in purchasing and sales positions. Through these experiences, he acquired the skills that allowed him to approach and convince small businesses to hire CEO/TransCen clients and help them succeed.

Now retired, Edward enjoys travel, walking, golf and coaching Special Olympics. He’s an accomplished singer and songwriter and has also recorded a CD of original music.

As a parent, businessman and CEO Job Developer, Edward brings a well-rounded range of experience and is happy to rejoin TransCen in a challenging new capacity.

Oliver Moss
The Potomac Exchange

Oliver is the Executive Director of the Potomac Exchange. The Potomac Exchange is a private membership organization of executives from select, leading global firms that provides unique opportunities to meet and talk with recently accredited foreign ambassadors. 

Throughout the year, members host a recently credentialed foreign ambassador at a private off-the-record luncheon to discuss priorities, initiate business relationships, and network. 

Prior to this, Oliver was the Director and Market Executive of Bank of America’s Global Government Division where he was responsible for the oversight and management of relationships with international organizations, embassies, consulates, and related diplomatic institutions in the United States, and with international government entities throughout the world. Prior to joining Bank of America, Oliver worked for Hessische Landesbank and Westdeutsche Landesbank in New York.

Oliver has been on the board of TransCen since 1992 and served both as Treasurer for 15 years and as Chair for 13 years. He is a recipient of the Order of Merit from the Federal Republic of Germany. A graduate of Leadership Montgomery, Oliver is on the Church Council of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and serves as Treasurer of the Endowment Committee for the Emanuel Lutheran Church.

Megan Lockhart
CPA
Ernst & Young LLP

Megan is an audit executive with more than twenty-five years of experience advising leading financial services organizations, including registered investment companies, hedge funds, investment advisors, and broker-dealers.

As an Audit Managing Director at Ernst & Young LLP, Megan oversees complex audit engagements for asset management clients, guiding multidisciplinary teams and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, strategically informed work.

In addition to her client work, Megan plays several key leadership roles within EY. She serves as the Executive Sponsor for Experienced Management in the Mid-Atlantic region, partnering with regional leaders to address critical resource and workforce needs. She is also the Executive Sponsor of EY’s Greater Washington Abilities Professional Network, supporting initiatives that promote inclusion and accessibility in the workplace.

Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, with a minor in Leadership Studies, from Marietta College, and is a Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She resides in McLean, Virginia.

Tom Klein
Treasurer
Ermeritus CPA​

Tom is the former President of T.R. Klein & Company, an accounting firm specializing in not-for-profit auditing, where he served for 40 years. The firm was widely known for its “friendly and helpful” approach to working with nonprofit organizations. He is currently the President of Friday’s Child Early Learning Center, led by his daughter, in Baltimore City. Tom and his wife reside in Florida, where he enjoys playing pickleball and participating in RunDisney events at Walt Disney World.

Julie Harter
EY/Strategy and Transformation

Julie Harter is a retired EY Strategy Partner whose career blended strategic insight with a genuine commitment to people.

Known for her calm leadership and thoughtful mentorship, she helped clients navigate complex challenges while always keeping humanity at the center of the work. 

During her years leading EY’s AccessAbilities Team, Julie became a driving force for disability inclusion, championing accessibility and shaping programs that made the firm more welcoming and equitable for professionals of all abilities.Colleagues remember her as someone who listened deeply, led with clarity, and elevated those around her. 

Even in retirement, Julie continues to share her voice and experience, advocating for inclusive design and encouraging organizations to build environments where everyone can thrive. Her legacy lives on in the leaders she supported and the culture of inclusion she helped strengthen.