Kelly Cogan

Founder/Executive Director of Exceptional Humans

Dr. Kelly Cogan is the Director of Masters of Arts in Special Education at a local college and the founder/Executive Director of Exceptional Humans. As the Executive Director of Exceptional Humans, an agency that provides services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, she creates person-centered programming that includes social activities, community integration, career services, and self advocacy. Her experiences encompass the roles of a parent of a child with a disability, special education teacher, community-based advocate, administrator, academic, college professor, and educator of future special education teachers. Over the years, she has recruited and mentored exceptional teams to support individuals with disabilities to live the lives they desire and deserve. Kelly has worked in all administrative capacities, including developing and overseeing agency budgets and personnel, community outreach, and donor cultivation. Kelly’s areas of research and interest include special education transition and community inclusion for adolescents and young adults with disabilities.

Coach Darrell Andrews

President and Chief Passion Officer of Darrell Andrews, LLC and Associates

Darrell Andrews, also known as "Coach D," is a renowned consultant, strategist, and motivator in the field of workforce development. As the President and Chief Passion Officer of Darrell Andrews, LLC and Associates, he has led a team of experts for the past two decades, delivering consulting services, motivational training, coaching, and speeches that foster innovation in workforce development agencies, corporations, and education organizations. Coach D is a sought-after speaker at conferences on workforce development and education, not only in the United States but also in Canada and the Caribbean. He is the accomplished author of several books, including titles such as "How To Find Your Passion And Make A Living At It," "The Purpose Living Teen-A Teen’s Guide To Living Your Dreams," and "Reinvention-The Pathway To Job Search Success." His compelling college success story, "5 Garbage Bags and a Dream," featured prominently in the New York Times bestseller "Chicken Soup for the African American Soul." Currently, he is working on two upcoming books, "The Self Care Movement" and "Post-Pandemic Leadership." Formerly affiliated with WIA (Workforce Investment Act) as both a Youth and Adult Provider, Darrell Andrews LLC and Associates have made significant contributions. Coach D's HYPE (Helping Youth Pursue Excellence) Program achieved remarkable success in dropout prevention and graduation rates, ranking among the top WIA providers in the USA. The adult Job Readiness Program BASIC (Building and Sustaining Internal Change) demonstrated exceptional job placement and retention rates. Coach D has been a keynote speaker at the NAWDP Convention twice and has presented at numerous state and local conferences. Over the last three years, adapting to the challenges posed by the pandemic, he and his team have emerged as a global force in virtual training, consulting, and coaching systems, leveraging innovation to make a meaningful impact on the post-pandemic workforce. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Darrell Andrews takes pride in his personal life. He has been happily married for 29 years and is the proud father of four exceptional children: Darrell Jr., Sophia, Alexander, and Abigail.

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