Episodes

Special Guest Jeanette Towles

Special Guest Tom Doran

Joyce is honored to have back as her guest Christine Griffin, a strong disability rights advocate and current Bender Consulting Services’ Senior Search Specialist Consultant on the show. During the show, she will be discussing her long career which includes her past work as Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Deputy Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management during the Obama Administration. She will also discuss her protection and advocacy work, ...

Special Guest Craig Leen

Special Guest Marcia Oglan

Joyce closes Disability Pride Month, with Veronica Villalobos, Vice President of the Institute for Strategic Social and Workforce Programs for Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network. She strives to ensure the workforce enables belonging and health access is achieved among members, patients, and communities in PA, western NY, DE, and WV. Among the topics discussed, Veronica will share how Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network foster a workforce that has Americans with disabilities, h...

As part of Disability Pride Month, Joyce welcomes former Senator Tom Harkin back to the show. Senator Harkin will reflect on the significance of the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. Senator Harkin will share his thoughts on the work that still needs done to advance the lives of Americans with disabilities. Also, he will discuss the work of the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement whic...

Joyce welcomes Jennifer Mathis, Deputy Director of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health back to the show. Since 1972, the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law has advocated for the civil rights, full inclusion and equality of adults and children with mental disabilities. Ms. Mathis will share how the Center was instrumental in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990) and played a key role in the historic case of Olmstead v. L.C. (1999), in which the Supreme ...

Joyce is honored to welcome “Dorthy” Doro Koch, author, businesswoman, advocate, and daughter of late President George H.W. Bush to the show. As we continue recognizing ADA Month and prepare to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ms. Koch will share insight into what signing the ADA into law meant to her father, and his dedication to ensuring its passage. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Bo...

Joyce welcomes The Honorable Tony Coelho, former U.S. Congressman and author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, back to the show. As celebrations around the Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary and Disability Pride month commence, it is important to recognize key advocates who led efforts to make the ADA the law of the land. Tony Coelho drafted the ADA and the ADA Amendments Act of 2007, restoring the original intent of the law. The ADA Amendments Act clarified and codified the prote...

In recognition of June as Pride Month, Joyce welcomes Jonathan Lovitz, Senior Vice President of Campaigns and Communications, Human Rights Campaign (HRC). During the show he will discuss his work as a nationally recognized leader in public affairs, economic policy, and strategic communications, with deep expertise in advancing inclusive growth through both government and nonprofit leadership. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair a...

In recognition of June as Pride Month, Joyce welcomes Evan Low, named president and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, in March 2025. During the show he will discuss his work with these organizations. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and 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. Founding par...

Joyce welcomes fellow Pittsburgh Business Times Woman of Influence recipient, Kate Musler, to the show. Kate is Highmark Health’s Chief Financial Officer and will share her responsibilities in that role, and what drives her to help Highmark continue to be a leader in the healthcare insurance industry. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the tr...

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 Cons...

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...

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.