Basic Block Hiring™ Podcast

Episode 7: Welcome Michelle Sie Whitten, President & CEO GDSF

In episode 7, Gena Sikorsky Mitchell is joined by Michelle Sie Whitten, President & CEO of Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GDSF).  Based out of Denver, CO, GDSF is dedicated to improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education, and advocacy. Together Michelle and Gena discuss the range of topics related to the employment of individuals with Down syndrome that are connected to their improved medical care, life span, and quality of life that is directly related to GDSF’s mission and work. 

Episode 6: A Closer Look at the Hiring Process

In episode 6 Gena Sikorsky Mitchell takes a closer look at the hiring process from the perspective of employment as an industry. She explores how skillsets and criteria drive the typical process and that to disregard this established process is a disservice to both employers and individuals with developmental disabilities.

Episode 5: Welcome, Jade Gingerich, Director Employment Policy

In episode 5, Gena Sikorsky Mitchell is joined by Jade Gingerich, Director of Employment Policy, Department of Disabilities for the State of Maryland. Together they discuss how to incorporate the lifespan of individuals with developmental disabilities for the employment IDD.

Episode 4: Welcome back, Dr. Camelia Fawzy, DM, MBA!

In episode 4, Gena Sikorsky Mitchell continues the conversation with Dr. Cami Fawzy, with a focus on the importance of allies in the workplace and the importance of developing clear skills and other strengths that would make it easier for individuals with developmental disabilities to access competitive, inclusive employment. Dr. Fawzy co-authored a book titled The Inclusive Management Strategy: Engineering Culture Change for employees with disabilities, a book chapter titled Friends or Foes: Dynamics Between OCBs, Contexts, and Innovation Development as well as several research articles focused on inclusive cultures for employees with diverse backgrounds and returning expatriates.

Episode 3: Welcome, Dr. Camelia Fawzy, DM, MBA!

In episode 3, Gena Sikorsky Mitchell is joined by Dr. Cami Fawzy, a successful organizational development consultant and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of leadership experience in multicultural settings. Using evidence-based research, she coaches leaders through culture change design and implementation aiming to create authentically inclusive and high-performing teams and organizations. Dr. Fawzy co-authored a book titled The Inclusive Management Strategy: Engineering Culture Change for employees with disabilities, a book chapter titled Friends or Foes: Dynamics Between OCBs, Contexts, and Innovation Development as well as several research articles focused on inclusive cultures for employees with diverse backgrounds and returning expatriates.Dr. Fawzy conducts interactive training programs and workshops enhancing participants’ Emotional Intelligence (EI), Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and leadership skills. She is the co-founder of ASANTe, a startup on a mission to use innovative web 3 technology to improve CSR structures and enhance the positive impact that conscious businesses have in the world. Cami also feels privileged to be the Mom of two amazing sons, her youngest experiencing life with (dis)abilities related to his Down Syndrome & Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnoses.