Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Gerald Homme, Manager of Talent Acquisition and Technology and Jill Zomp, Talent Acquisition Coordinator with Bender Consulting Services, Inc., to the show. Joyce, Jill, and Gerald will be discussing the upcoming webinar sponsored by Bender Consulting Services, Inc., Transferable Skills for New Career Paths in Today's Changing Job Search Environment. The webinar will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025.

BIO OF GERALD HOMME

• Manager of Talent Acquisition and Technology for Bender Consulting Services, Inc.
• Has over 15 years of experience in supporting disability employment programming.
• Supports internal technology at Bender and projects in Digital Accessibility in a project management capacity.
• Product manager of Bender's Careers2B program, Workplace Mentoring, and the Bender Virtual Career for persons with disabilities.
• Supports the Bender Leadership Academy as a volunteer and is integral in supporting PA REV UP Coalition and head of the Bender Lead On Team, a grassroots social media team focused on ending bullying and supporting self-advocacy.
• Current member of the NTID Employer Advisory group and has previously served on the advisory board for IUP's career services.
• As a person with Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, and mental health disabilities, is an advocate for employment equity for people with disabilities.

BIO OF JILL ZOMP

• Human Resources professional with over 10 years of experience in the area of disability engagement in the workforce.
• Seasoned resume building expert with over 8 years of experience helping individuals successfully navigate their career transitions. With extensive training in federal resume and CV building, as well as expertise in crafting tailored resumes for the private sector, has worked with candidates representing a wide range of industries to position them as standout candidates in their job search.
• Serves as Talent Acquisition Coordinator for the entire Bender Consulting Services organization, experienced in working with both customers in the Federal and Private Sectors, as well as candidates with disabilities to ensure precise placements in a myriad of career areas. Team Lead for many initiatives including Community Partnership Building, Resume Preparation, and Event Coordination.
• Regional Coordinator of PA and DE for the Disability Mentoring Day Program, a national program assisting High School students with disabilities travel to organizations and explore the world of work, through Bender Leadership Academy. Disability rights advocacy experience in promoting reasonable accommodation in the school, higher education, and work environments.

JOYCE A. BENDER CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. - www.benderconsult.com.
• Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. https://benderleadership.org/.
• Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
• Recipient of the 2024 Visionary Award from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law in Washington, DC.
• Lives with epilepsy and hard of hearing.
• Advocates for competitive employment for people with disabilities.
• Serves as vice-chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and former chair of the board.
• Represented the State Department in programming with Panama, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Libya, and Tunisia.
• Serves as chair of Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA.
• Received the 2003 New Freedom Initiative Award from the Bush Administration.
• Recognized with the 1999 President's Award from President Clinton.
• Board member of Pittsburgh's Civic Light Opera, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and World Institute on Disability (WID).

Joyce welcomes Louis Olander, Ph.D., Director of Research and Veterans' Initiatives at Disability:IN. As a veteran and advocate, Mr. Orlander will share his work with Disability:IN, and the ways in which the organization supports veterans with disabilities, in honor of Memorial Day.

Joyce welcomes back to the show Scott Hammerstrom, Manager of Programs and Partnerships, Lisa Krause, Secretary and Board Member and Evan Frazier, Board Member of the Bender Leadership Academy. Among the topics discussed will be the mission of the Bender Leadership Academy and plans for the 4th Annual Mary Brougher Memorial Golf Outing at River Forest Country Club in Freeport, PA on Saturday, August 16, 2025, to benefit the Mary Brougher Mental Health Initiative.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. To commemorate this, Joyce welcomes Vesper Moore, Board Member of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, to the show. Discussed will be the mission of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health, advancements made in treating those with mental health disabilities and Moore's advocacy for mental health awareness worldwide.

Joyce welcomes Scott Hammerstrom, Manager of Programs and Partnerships, the Bender Leadership Academy and Sabrina Davis, Recruitment Marketing & Brand Specialist, EQT Corporation. The guests will share details about the mission of the Bender Leadership Academy and the plans for EQT Corporations participation in Disability Mentoring Day, Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

Joyce welcomes Allegheny County State Representative for the 42nd District, Dan Miller, to the show. Representative Miller will discuss his body of work as a state legislator and advocate for those with disabilities since he was elected to the PA House of Representatives in 2013. Among other topics, he will discuss his upcoming Disability & Mental Health Summit, a free event in Western PA that brings hundreds of people and participating organizations together to share information on a wide range of topics in the disability and mental health arena.

Joyce welcomes Rosemarie Rosetti, Ph.D., a globally recognized expert on disability engagement, accessibility, and accessible meeting design. Joining her will be Artura Taylor, President and CEO of TGC Scientific and Cami Turcotte Sr. Director, Supplier Inclusion at Disability:IN. The guests will highlight the mission of the organization and the benefits of being members. Lastly, they will discuss plans for the Disability:IN Global Conference and Expo is July 14th - July 17th in Orlando, FL.

April is Autism Awareness Month. To commemorate this, Joyce welcomes Nicole Clark Co-Founder and CEO of Adult and Pediatric Institute for Health and Wellness. She is also an expert on Autism Awareness insights. Ms. Clark will share her duties at the Institute and discuss the latest advancements in treating those on the Autism spectrum.

Joyce welcomes Sadie Restivo, Executive Director of Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR). PAAR has been serving the Pittsburgh community for over 50 years through advocacy, counseling, prevention, and education. It was the first victim service agency in Allegheny County, and one of the first rape crisis centers in the nation. The agency was incorporated as a non-profit entity in 1972 and has been providing essential no-cost services to victims of sexual violence in Allegheny County for 50 years. Ms. Restivo will highlight the programs and services offered to the community by this vital organization.