North America Career Week

Virtual Event

Thanks to all the Speakers, Organizing Organizations and Attendees!

Watch the Recording: North America Career Week Panel Discussion

Resources for Advocacy in Career Development

North America Career Week Slide Deck

Advocacy in Action: Amplifying Career Development in a Changing World

Watch this FREE virtual event as we celebrate the vital role of career development professionals in shaping the future of work. The collaboration brings together leading organizations from across North America and beyond to highlight current advocacy efforts and the importance of career development in today's rapidly changing world.

North American partners, NCDA, CCDF and CERIC will host an engaging panel discussion featuring dynamic career development leaders. They will explore key advocacy initiatives from Canada, the U.S. and globally that seek to bring greater awareness to the value of career development and the vital work of career development professionals. This will include a focus on how you can become part of these initiatives.

The event aims to affirm and celebrate the contributions of career development professionals, offering hope and positivity amidst the challenges faced. We will provide insights into emerging trends and issues such as AI, mental health, and the need for decent jobs, while empowering attendees with ideas and opportunities to advocate for the future of work. 

Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn and get involved. Join us in making a difference!

If you registered for CEs, see Continuing Education (below)

Presentation Descriptions and Speaker Biographies

*times listed are Eastern

Marty Apodaca, MA, LPCC, CCC, NCC is a Senior Counselor at the University of New Mexico’s (UNM) Student Health and Counseling where he assists his clients in exploring the intersections of career and mental health. Marty is the President of NCDA (Oct. 1).  His past NCDA roles include being the Trustee-at-Large for Leadership Academy and a co-associate editor for the Features section of NCDA's web magazine, Career Convergence. He also served on the President’s Strategic Planning committee and is an alumnus of Leadership Academy. Marty is an active board member and former president of the NMCDA. Marty has also been faculty at two Career Construction Institutes and offers supervision and guidance to UNM staff and graduate students who use the Career Construction Interview with clients. Marty has publications in the Career Development Quarterly, Career Planning and Adult Development Network, Career Convergence and has been published in the Journal of Individual Psychology, Teaching and Supervision in Counseling, and ACA’s VISTAS web magazine. Marty received his BA in English and MA in Counseling from UNM. Marty is a Professional Clinical Counselor, Certified Career Counselor, and National Certified Counselor. At UNM, Marty has received the People Appreciate Wonderful Staff Award and was recognized as an American Indian Student Services Campus Partner. 

Keka DasGupta believes in moving people from helpless to helpful through a powerful, free currency called: gratitude. As a 20-year award-winning PR/marketing veteran, Keka has dedicated her entire working life to studying the emotional undercurrents that connect people to people, and people to brands. This mom-of-two, has worked with such globally recognized brands as: IKEA, Nike, Disney, American Express and many other Fortune 500s. Her clients have also included various schools and boards of education. Moreover, Keka has served as an instructor at the Schulich Executive Education Centre (SEEC), Schulich School of Business, York University. Today, Keka heads up multiple entrepreneurial ventures. She has founded a platform called the “Art of Life-ing,” and she runs Gratitude workshops across North America for both students (with an anti-bullying focus) and corporate audiences (with a focus on building happy corporate cultures). She is also the Vice Chair of CERIC’s Board of Director’s, helping the national charity to advance career development in Canada through education, research and advocacy. 

Bella Doswell is an award winning, Certified (Ontario, Canada) and Registered (UK) Career Development Professional, Bella brings 18 years’ experience in helping Clients confidently market their skills and talents to employers. With extensive training in psychology, mental health counselling, occupational testing, HR process and facilitation, she holds a subject-specific Master’s degree in Career Development and Coaching Studies from the University of Warwick, one of the top 10 research-led universities in the UK. She has international career coaching experience working in the UK, the UAE and since 2012, for Clients in Canada. Currently based in the UK, she is working remotely for a Canadian HR Consultancy in Toronto, providing Outplacement services. Bella is the Co-Architect of the global #SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign, which reached 1.6 million hits in 2024. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the role of CDPs for friends, professional allies and the public. A passionate advocate for CDPs and vociferous global networker, you can also find her writing about CDP advocacy issues in CDP Thought For The Week, posted every Monday on LinkedIn.  

Dr. Candy Ho is an international award-winning career development educator and scholar whose expertise is recognized globally through keynotes, consulting, and other engagements. Her insights have been featured in prestigious media outlets including BNN Bloomberg, The Globe and Mail, Financial Post, Canadian Business, National Post, and CTV News. Originally from Hong Kong, she currently serves as Chancellor’s Research Chair at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), while also teaching in KPU’s Educational Studies department and in Douglas College's Career Development Practitioner Program. Candy is Past Chair of CERIC, a Canadian charitable organization that advances education and research in career counselling and career development, in order to increase the economic and social well-being of Canadians.

Sareena Hopkins is the Executive Director of the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF), Sareena works in Canada and internationally to strengthen the reach and impact of career development. With her team at CCDF, she moves from ideas to action in areas of public policy, research and development, capacity building and advocacy. Sareena has been instrumental in a wide range of strategic leadership initiatives in Canada and internationally, including the development of our field’s Competency Framework, Code of Ethics, and approach to national certification. She is Chair of the International Centre for Career Development and Public Policy and is an active member of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers’ National Advisory Panel on Labour Market Information. In 2014, Sareena was awarded the International Gold Medal for Leadership in Career Development. Sareena lives, works, and plays (most of the time!) in Ottawa with her partner and a poorly behaved, but extremely sweet cat.  

Katherine Jennick is a UK-based Career Development Professional, Mentor, and Educator, who is passionate about using a strength-based approach to help people realise how amazing they are.  In 2019, she developed and founded What’s your strength?®  which started as a pack of cards to empower teenagers. It has evolved into a series of award-winning resources for young people, adults, and individuals with additional needs. As well as the abundance of strength-based resources, Katherine also offers 1:1 career guidance for young people and runs collaborative creative workshops for a variety of different audiences.  Katherine’s creative and innovative approach is often recognised and celebrated. Her career is studded with accolades:  Co-architect of the #SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign celebrating the work of CDPs ; Finalist for Business and Product Innovation Award at FSB Small Business Awards 2023; Shortlisted for The Education Awards 2023 ; Finalist for Sole Trader Award at The Small Awards 2022 ; Winner at the Start Up Awards National Series 2022 ; Shortlisted for CDI Careers Adviser of the Year 2020; Developer of the interactive 'Skills Suitcase' for National Careers Week; Recognised for pioneering interactive resources in Government publications.  

Shelby McIntyre is a Career Counselor and Instructor at Pasadena City College and recently completed a year of service as Co-Chair of the NCDA Government Relations Committee. She is proud to work within the California Community College system - the largest system of higher education in the U.S., which accepts the top 100% of students and champions equity. She is also a former President of the California CDA and current member of their Public Policy & Legislation Committee. She holds a Certified Career Counselor credential from the NCDA Credentialing Commission. She earned her M.S. Counseling, College Counseling & Student Services from California State University, Northridge, and a B.A. in Cinema Studies, minors in Creative Writing & Music, from the University of Oregon. After experiencing her own career change from the film industry to the counseling profession, she is passionate about helping others navigate their career development process to find meaningful work. Her professional passions and interests include social justice/collective liberation, system intervention/collective action, civic engagement, bystander intervention, and student leadership.

Continuing Education 

Continuing Education hours are available for purchase. After the event, NCDA will send participants an electronic link to the evaluation form. After completion of the evaluation, the system will direct you to your online membership record where your continuing education transcript can be printed.

NCDA's Credentialing Commission has approved the CPI according to the Continuing Education Manual

What is a Career Practitioner Institute?