The Minnesota Career Development Association presented me, Denise Felder, with this year’s Irene Rossman Award. This award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution to MCDA and/or the field of career development. 

I am extremely grateful and humbled to be recognized by my peers with this award. MCDA has been the core of my professional community for 20 years. I remember moving back to Minneapolis and not knowing anyone working in career development. I would drag my introverted self to events and only speak when spoken to. 

It was at MCDA events where I realized I had something valuable to offer the career development profession. More importantly, colleagues encouraged me to share my unique perspectives on career and college readiness, and advocate for people with barriers to education or economic success.

Where is your professional community? Where do you go to gain new skills and insights?

In 2010 MCDA honored me with the Marty Dockman Award. This award honors individuals or teams who have made a significant difference in the lives of clients or made a significant contribution to MCDA. At that time I was part of several projects to provide career information for English Language Learners, justice-informed job seekers (ex-offenders), military veterans, and youth living in rural areas. I am still appreciative that MCDA recognized me and my partners in those projects at that time. 

Receiving the 2024 Irene Rossman Award is a reminder of all the people I’ve connected with over the years – workforce professionals, educators, job seekers, students – and the changes they’ve made in their lives and communities.

Who can you go to for support or uplifting conversations? Who are you supporting or mentoring?

This award is also special to me because I served on the MCDA board alongside Irene Rossman for several years. Irene modeled what life can be like when you put as much passion and energy into your vocation as you do in other parts of your life. Irene loved to gather people together for food, drinks and movies. She enjoyed people, She enjoyed her work as a career counselor. She enjoyed life. I know I am not the only MCDA colleague who remembers her fondly.

Where do your values show up in your work? How do you want to be remembered in the communities you are a part of?

Finally, here is a huge THANK YOU to Katie Niznik, who nominated me for this award. I am humbled that she considers my work – that she considers me – to be award worthy. Here is some of what Katie wrote in the nomination letter.

Denise has the unique ability to be a humble visionary. Within her first few years as the Associate Director of Career Services in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota, Denise has outlined and implemented innovative priorities of a Culture of Career, and Anti-Racism and Social Justice within the career center. Both in her higher education position and in her private coaching, Denise uses a collective access approach to support clients and to center those with marginalized identities. 

Denise lives by her own inspiring words, “I believe that everyone has the right to pursue the #CareerID that will bring them fulfillment, not just a paycheck. This is especially true for people who are often oppressed or repressed in education systems and in the work world.”

Denise is an example to all career practitioners how to prioritize the needs of students with disabilities, those from low-income backgrounds, immigrant and international students, first-generation college students, and others who might feel disenfranchised on campus or in workplaces. 

In honoring Denise Felder with the Irene Rossman Award, we not only recognize her remarkable achievements and persistent dedication but also acknowledge her role as a trailblazer in the field of career development. Denise’s example serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the importance of centering equity, justice, and compassion in our work.

Again, thank you to Katie for your kind words. Thank you to MCDA for recognizing me with this honor.