SHRM Foundation: Building Inclusive Workspaces, a California Specific Certificate Program
Want to gain access to a valuable talent pool and diversify your workforce? Move away from thinking about disability as an accommodations and compliance issue to an inclusion and talent opportunity? Learn more about how you can expand your knowledge and awareness of building an inclusive workplace in addition to simple actions you can implement today! SHRM Foundation has partnered with the California Department of Rehabilitation through the Demand Side Employment Initiative to create a FREE California-specific training program to prepare business leaders, HR professionals, and managers with actionable knowledge and tools to recruit, hire, and retain individuals with disabilities.
Elizabeth Kohm
Elizabeth is currently the Manager, Foundation Programs overseeing SHRM Foundation’s strategic priority of Building Inclusive Workplaces. In that capacity, she oversees the Foundation’s initiatives around leveraging untapped talent including Veterans At Work, Employing Abilities and Getting Talent Back to Work. She joins the Foundation with extensive experience across the corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors. She most recently served as the Deputy Executive Director for PFLAG National working to advance equality and anti-discrimination efforts. In that role, she also partnered with corporate diversity and HR professionals on partnerships to impact the workplace culture for the LGBTQ community. She lives in Alexandria with her spouse, two sons, and an oversized rescue dog.
Sue Pelbath
Sue Pelbath was appointed Deputy Director of the Specialized Services Division at the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) by Governor Gavin Newsom in June 2022. In this role, Pelbath oversees all of DOR’s employment and independent living services for blind and deaf Californians. Prior to her current appointment, Pelbath held multiple other positions at DOR, including Administrator of DOR’s Orientation Center for the Blind, Manager of the Programs and Services Division, Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Qualified Rehabilitation Professional and Service Coordinator. She was a Paraprofessional in Special Education at the Oceanside Unified School District from 1990 to 2004. Pelbath earned a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University. She acquired blindness as an adult and brings valuable lived experience to the work she does.