Elizabeth Perkins shares the career decisions, mentors, and experiences that shaped her 20-year journey in vocational rehabilitation—and the leadership lessons that keep her challenging the system to help more people thrive. From her early days supporting customers at UPS to becoming coordinator of programs for Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation, Elizabeth reflects on the moments that drew her toward counseling, opened the door to leadership, and sparked her passion for advocacy, inclusion, and community partnership. If you care about disability employment, career development, or leading with purpose, this conversation will resonate. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How an unexpected path through psychology, HR, and counseling led Elizabeth into vocational rehabilitationWhy one participant’s “dream job” in a junkyard became a turning point in how she tells the VR storyThe leadership qualities she values most: adaptability, authenticity, collaboration, and genuine relationshipsHow transformational and authentic leadership shape her decisionsWhy she stays current through boards, training, advocacy, and ongoing feedbackThe mentorship advice that still guides her: “Don’t let boundaries limit your imagination” Elizabeth also discusses normalizing disability, embracing diverse perspectives, and asking a question every professional should revisit: What is your why? Her answer is a reminder that meaningful work comes from staying rooted in purpose and showing up for the people you serve. Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome to Mentor Moments and introduction to Elizabeth Perkins 00:31 — Elizabeth’s role with Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation 00:49 — From psychology and UPS to considering counseling and HR 01:46 — Choosing graduate school and discovering vocational rehabilitation 02:43 — Two decades with the agency: from counselor to leadership 03:10 — Why direct counseling work was her favorite job 04:07 — A participant’s dream job and the power of competitive employment 05:01 — Using video to tell participant and employer stories 05:51 — Building partnerships across schools, providers, workforce, and family support 06:49 — Career happenstance and the theory of planned happenstance 08:58 — Why adaptability, trust, genuineness, collaboration, and innovation matter 11:47 — Staying relevant in a changing field and updating old systems 13:17 — Why collaboration and partnerships matter more than silos 15:39 — Transformational leadership and authentic leadership 17:31 — Being solution-focused and challenging legacy processes 18:40 — Wanting to be part of the solution and drive change 19:26 — How boards, advocacy, training, and feedback help her stay current 23:46 — Mentors who opened doors 26:31 — “Don’t let boundaries limit your imagination” 27:31 — What inspires her about serving people directly 29:17 — Encouraging diversity, inclusion, and authentic self-expression 30:39 — Normalizing disability and sharing lived experience 33:07 — Knowing your “why” and keeping it visible 34:41 — Closing thanks and listener call to actionAction items
