Basic Block Hiring™ Podcast Gena Sikorsky Mitchell

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...

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.

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.

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:...

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...

In episode 2, host Gena Sikorsky Mitchell picks up the conversation and begins to explore possible ideas and solutions to consider regarding the business conversation of hiring individuals with developmental disabilities (IDD). She incorporates the premise for what “basic block” means in relation to both special education and employment while examining the duality of an entitlement-based system and a for-profit system/environment.