Rise, Lead, Sustain: Women's Leadership Stories Across the Career Journey

Allison Faudoa, Associate Director, Texas Tech University - Career Center

Allison Faudoa has been committed to career services for eight years, with progressive experience spanning student leadership, graduate internship, and full-time professional roles. While earning dual bachelor's degrees in advertising and communication studies from Texas Tech University, she served the Texas Tech University Career Center as a student ambassador, where she found joy in the world of career services. Faudoa went on to receive her master's degree in mass communications and graduate certificate in college student counseling from Texas Tech University before moving into a full-time role with her alma mater. Now an Associate Director at the Texas Tech University Career Center for two years, Faudoa leads employer relations initiatives, facilitates cross-campus collaborations, and teaches experiential learning courses. Outside of her involvement with NACE, she is a part of the SoACE LEAD 2026 cohort. Faudoa is passionate about marketing and promotion strategies that expand student access and is dedicated to advancing women’s professional development.

Jillian Ferry, Chief Executive Officer, Durable Minds Everboarding

Jillian Ferry is a seasoned people operations executive and entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience building people-first programs across higher education, healthcare, and behavioral health. She has supported and developed hundreds of employees, leading onboarding redesigns, performance systems, and leadership development initiatives designed to help both people and organizations thrive. Jillian is the CEO and co-founder of Durable Minds Everboarding, a career readiness and durable skill development company dedicated to helping students and early-career professionals confidently navigate the transition from education to the workplace. She holds a Master’s in Global Human Resource Development from the University of Houston and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Texas A&M University, proudly claiming both Cougar and Aggie roots. She is passionate about building empowering workplace cultures and helping early-career professionals confidently move from education into meaningful careers.

Jill Chapman, Director, Early Talent Programs, Insperity

Jill Silman Chapman is a seasoned leader in HR and recruiting, serving as the Director of Early Talent Programs at Insperity. With over 25 years of HR experience, she specializes in partnering internally and with clients to develop innovative strategies for recruiting and engaging early career professionals. Jill is dedicated to helping Insperity and our client organizations adapt to workforce changes, implement effective talent attraction methods, and leverage the unique strengths of new generations entering the workplace. Her expertise enables enhanced productivity, performance, and long-term success by embracing forward-thinking recruitment and training solutions. Jill holds a Bachelor's in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master's in HR Management from Tarleton State University. Additionally, Jill is an instructor for Rice University and the University of Hawaii, where she shares her expertise in talent development and leadership with aspiring professionals.

Carissa Nicholson, Career Readiness Navigator, St. Petersburg College

Carissa Nicholson is Career Readiness Navigator at St. Peterburg College (SPC) Tarpon Springs Campus for 8 years with 12 years of experience working at SPC in various student services roles. As an alum of SPC she is known for energy and passion for helping others. Carissa holds a Master’s in Career &Technical Education and a Bachelor’s in communication from the University of South Florida and she is passionate about working with students to make sure they are on the right path towards their career goals. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her son and husband and taking classes at Pure Barre.

Amy Thaci, Engineering Career Services, The Ohio State University - College of Engineering

Amy’s experience in the career services field spans 30 years, starting at Temple University in Philadelphia and arriving at Ohio State in 1995. At Ohio State, Amy has worked in the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences as well as the College of Public Health, and became the Director of Engineering Career Services in 2011, where she provides overall leadership and strategic direction for ECS. Amy has led teams who care deeply about students and their futures. She has created an environment for herself and other thriving individuals to be themselves and to provide excellent career advising, programs and special events for all.

Kelli Smith, Assistant Vice President for Student Success, Binghamton University - SUNY

Kelli K. Smith serves as the assistant vice president for student success at Binghamton University, following the role as the founding director of the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development. In addition to leading some divisional and campus-wide initiatives in collaboration with academic affairs, her portfolio includes oversight of the Fleishman Center, Center for Civic Engagement, and Student Transition and Success, which she created with existing resources to better serve Binghamton students. She remains involved internationally in the field of career services, recently served on the NACE Board of Directors, and has conducted numerous presentations and published in the field, including serving as editor for two Wiley New Directions books related to career services. She is adjunct faculty in both the School of Management and the Student Affairs master's program. She holds a master’s degree from Indiana University-Bloomington and Ph.D. in leadership studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. LinkedIn connections are welcomed.

Alissa Friedman, US Early Career Recruiting Leader, GE Aerospace

Lee Svete, Director, Lucy Rose Career Center, Salem College