OUR TEAM
Our passion at work
Skill & Ability team members have a variety of educational and employment backgrounds, which allows us to take a customized, person-centered approach. We also engage in professional development and training in order to implement evidence based practices.
Together, we collaborate with individuals, supports and our community partners to promote an inclusive workforce.
Star Jenkins
Program Manager
Star started with Skill and Ability in March of 2024 in a Vocational Support role and has continued to grow into a Program Manager. Born and raised in Ypsilanti, Star graduated from Willow Run High School and Eastern Michigan University.
Dana Johnson BA
Vocational Support
Dana started at Skill and Ability as a contingent coach in December 2020. She has been involved with work readiness as well as job development services.
Shannon Taylor BA
Inclusion Specialist
Shannon began working with Skill & Ability Education in early 2022 as a contingent job coach providing job development services, leading career exploration workshops, and supporting work readiness at various locations throughout the community.
Colleen Martin
Program Manager
Colleen started at Skill and Ability Education in 2024 as a Job
Developer. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a Minor
in Sociology from Eastern Michigan University.
Justin Smith
Inclusion Specialist
Justin started at Skill and Ability as an Inclusion Specialist in September of 2024. His background is in special education and social work. Justin attended Albertus Magnus College and earned his Masters degree in Psychology from the New School for Social Research..
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Megan Brown MA
Director of Job Development
Megan started at Skill & Ability Education in May of 2020 as a contingent job coach, moved into a vocational support coordinator role, and is now the Director of Job Development (since May of 2021)
Mike Harmon BA
Inclusion Specialist
Michael started working at Skill and Ability in February 2024 as a vocational support coach. Prior to Skill and Ability, he also worked in the customer service field, as a preschool teacher and a behavior technician.
Gary Emmerich MSVR
Vocational Support
Gary started with Skill and Ability Education in the summer of 2020 as a contingent vocational support (job coach), providing community-based job assessments, job coaching support, and summer work experiences.
LaGarian Houston BA
Vocational Support
LaGarian joined the Skill and Ability team in April of 2020 at the start of the pandemic as a Contingent Coach and later transitioned to an Inclusion Specialist.
Dawn Burke
Inclusion Specialist
Dawn has supported several Skill and Ability programs, including individual and small group work experiences, in addition to supporting the Community Mental Health (CMH) skill building program
Stacia Wallace
Inclusion Specialist
Stacia joined the Skill and Ability team in April of 2024, working as a Vocational Support Coach. She enjoys and has always been passionate about helping others.
Steve Berg MAT
Director of Work Readiness
Steve started at Skill and Ability Education when the organization was founded in 2018. He's currently the Director for Work Readiness, coordinating services for work experiences, evaluations and workshops.
Jeff Rednour MA
Vocational Support
Jeff started with Skill and Ability in December 2023 as a contingent vocational support coach. Prior to Skill and Ability, Jeff's always had an interest in communication and instruction..
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Kiki Esselman BA
Progam Manager
Kiki began working at Skill and Ability Education in March 2024 as a Job Development Coordinator, assisting clients in job placement, work readiness and various aspects of work preparation.
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Kristin Francis BS
Client Services Manager
Kristin started with Skill and Ability in the summer of 2018 as a contingent job coach, providing job site training, summer work experiences, and work readiness workshops in local high schools.
James Hannah BA
Program Manager
James began working with Skill and Ability Education in the fall of 2021 as a Vocational Support Coordinator, assisting clients in job development, work readiness and various individual/group workshops.
Kim Balk BA
Operations Manager
Kim started at Skill & Ability Education in fall of 2019 as a Contingent Job Coach, transitioned to a Vocational Support Coordinator position and is now the Manager of Vocational Support.
Amy Berg LMSW
Director of Programs
Amy co-founded Skill and Ability Education and is the Director of Programming. Amy supports clients and staff, connects with community partners and completes various organizational activities to support moving the mission forward.