Professional Development Meeting | November 12, 2024

About the Speakers:

Director of Business Relations and Board Member of Disability:IN Utah:
Leah Lobato is the Coordinator of Business Relations with the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, a division of the Department of Workforce Services (DWS). The mission of this position is to help promote the employment and retention of individuals with disabilities in competitive employment by promoting public and private partnerships and efforts. She networks, connects with and trains state, regional and national employers. She has a BS degree from the University of Utah, is a Certified ADA Coordinator (ADAC) and is a Certified Public Manager (CPM). Leah coordinates with the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and other partners on various projects supporting employment of individuals with disabilities. Leah has worked with individuals with disabilities in varying areas of services. She has worked with adolescents with mental health issues, and she has also acted as the coordinator for house affairs for disabled adults in independent living environments. She is an advisor to the board of Utah’s Chapter of Job Placement and Development, a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, Utah Rehabilitation Association, a Commissioner with Salt Lake City Accessibility and Disability Commission, Disability:IN Utah Steering Committee and on the board of Yoga Forward. She is a certified yoga teacher with 500-hours of training and currently leads yoga practices in the Utah State Correctional Facility.

Business Relations Supervisor:
Josh Rodeback is a Business Relations Specialist and Supervisor with the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. He has been with USOR since 2012 working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Counseling Supervisor. Josh is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Science. In addition, he is a Certified Public Manager, Windmills Certified Trainer, and a Master Remote Work Remote Leader. With a passion for helping people of all abilities reach their goals of employment and independence, Josh specializes in assisting employers find qualified candidates and provides ADA support and guidance. He has extensive experience in vocational rehabilitation, career development, and disability employment services. Josh is a skilled communicator and works with diverse populations, including individuals across a broad spectrum of disabilities, employers, and community partners. His commitment to his work is evident in his ability to motivate and empower individuals to achieve their goals. As a Windmills Certified Trainer and Master Remote Work Leader, Josh is equipped to provide cutting-edge training and support to individuals and organizations looking to adapt to the changing landscape of work. With his expertise in remote work and technology, he is well-equipped to help individuals with disabilities access job opportunities and succeed in a rapidly evolving job market. Overall Josh is a dedicated professional with a wealth of experience and expertise in rehabilitation counseling, vocational rehabilitation, career development, and disability employment services. His passion for helping people of all abilities achieve their goals is matched by his commitment to providing top-notch support and guidance to employers and organizations.

Utah Center for Assistive Technology (UCAT):
Jay Wheeler OTR/L and Assistive Technology Specialist. Jay has been an Occupational Therapist along the Wasatch Front for over 25 years, but his journey of working with people with disabilities started much earlier. At 15, he began coaching Special Olympics in Idaho and loved every moment. From then on, every job or volunteer role he took involved working with special needs population. Foretunately, he failed to get into dental school and found his true calling in Occupational Therapy. Following his graduation from Pacific University, Jay worked in early intervention with Kids On The Move and then at the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind. He later became a home health therapist before landing his dream job at the Utah Center for Assistive Technology. At UCAT, he combines his life's work of the care and treatment of people with disabilities with his love for engineering and fabrication to create new assistive technologies that support individuals’ independence and potential.

Pre-ETS or Pre-Employment Transition Youth Specialist:
Holly Welch is a Work Based Learning Experience (WBLE) Specialist for the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, a Division of the Department of Workforce Services. She creates opportunities for students to develop skills for the workplace by connecting with employers, teachers and students. Prior to working for the state she has been a stay at home mom and supported her husband with military service. She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s Degree. Holly moved back to Utah from Washington D.C. in 2015. Once back in Utah, she developed a love for mountain biking and Pilates.

Panel Facilitator:
Ben Baldonado is a Business Relations Supervisor for the Utah Office of Rehabilitation, a division of the Department of Workforce Services (DWS). He has a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Amridge University and is a Licensed Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. After serving 7 years in the United States Military, Ben transitioned to employment with the state of Utah where he has served the public as an Employment Counselor, Operational Manager, and now with the Business Relations team. In his current role, Ben supports accessibility within the workforce across 20 counties by engaging businesses and community partners in promoting meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities. His passion for collaboration and community are hallmarked by his leadership in establishing the first One-Stop Employment Center in Southern Utah. Ben enjoys bringing people together to discover and achieve goals on common ground which has led to the development of local Job Developers Groups and Economic Committees.

Saundra Shanti, MA, BCC, CAPG

As a board-certified, multi-faith chaplain and visual artist, Shanti merges art and spirituality in an imagination process that transforms art supplies and life experience into something therapeutic and meaningful. She has engaged hospital staff, patients, corporate employees, and survivors of domestic violence in art-making to express themselves, explore their success or suffering, and move toward holistic well-being. Her playful and probing approach reflects her understanding of spirituality which cultivates connection with the essential self, other people, and the sacred. Her company, Art-Soul-Health promotes professional wellness through artistic engagement. Engaging with art forms such as movement, painting, writing and film, ArtSoul-Health designs and facilitates creative processes that not only build trust, connection and collaboration, but also inspire joy! Shanti has presented on the integration of art and spirituality at state and national conferences. Her academic credentials include a B.A. in Art and Education, an M.A. in Theology, an M.A in Arts in Health, and certifications as a Spiritual Director, and a Cannabis Assisted Psychedelic Guide.