DOWD Conference
Keynote Speakers
Opening Plenary: John Krumboltz
Second Plenary: Karen Okulicz
Third Plenary: Derek Clark
John Krumboltz
John D. Krumboltz, Ph.D., Professor of Education and Psychology at Stanford University, is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His Ph.D. in educational psychology and counseling is from the University of Minnesota, his M.A. degree in counseling is from Teachers College, Columbia University, and his B.A. in psychology is from Coe College.
He has worked as a high school counselor and algebra teacher, as a research psychologist for the U.S. Air Force and taught educational psychology at Michigan State University before moving to Stanford. During sabbatical years he accepted year-long invitations as a Visiting Senior Research Psychologist at the Educational Testing Service, as a Fellow at the National Center for Research in Vocational Education at Ohio State University, and as a Visiting Colleague in the
Institute of Psychiatry at the University of London as well as at the National Institute for Careers Education and Counseling in Cambridge, England.
He has received a Guggenheim Fellowship and spent a year as a Fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies in the Behavioral Sciences. On three occasions he has received the Outstanding Research Award from the American Personnel and Guidance Association (now the American Counseling Association). In 1990 the American Psychological Association's Division of Counseling Psychology gave him the Leona Tyler Award, the nation's foremost award in the field of counseling psychology. In 1994 the National Career Development Association presented him with their Eminent Career Award. In 2002 the American Psychological Association honored him with The Distinguished Professional Contributions to Knowledge Award. In 2004 the American Counseling Association designated him a Living Legend in Counseling. In 2006 he received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota.
Karen Okulicz
Karen Okulicz is the author of Try! A Survival Guide to Unemployment, Decide! How to make any Decision and Attitude! For your best lived life. She was in medical sales for fifteen years prior to her finding her life’s work as an author and lecturer. Ms. Okulicz knows first-hand about the rigors of looking for work, having become unemployed twice in three years. Her first stretch of unemployment lasted eleven months. At the start of her second unemployment she began to try a different way of looking for work than “just send the resume.” The Try! Techniques for a complete job search were created. Her second book, Decide! sprang from the years of marketing her first book. She would listen to people say, “I can’t decide about my future or about my work.” She thought maybe it’s not that they can’t decide, maybe they don’t know how. Her second book was born: Decide! How to make any Decision. While observing who were the people that just seemed to have the best balanced lives. It was those with the better attitude. Attitude! For your best lived life became the third book.
Ms. Okulicz has hosted and produced the radio show “Workline.” She provides workshops from her books throughout the country and is a continued guest in the media. Her books have been translated in a dozen languages. Her company K-Slaw, Inc. has been in business for 17 years. Ms. Okulicz has a Bachelor of Science degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She resides in New Jersey at the beach where she is finishing book four.
Derek Clark
Derek Clark’s story is one of resilience and redemption. Derek spent 13 years in the foster care system. Having suffered unthinkable child abuse, abandonment and emotional distress, Derek knows first hand on how to cope with adversity and overcoming hardship. His past reflects a life of humiliation, aggression, emotional distress and overwhelming anxiety. He has experienced the life of fear and rejection and much more. Having also been misdiagnosed as mentally handicapped and having numerous emotional and language difficulties, Derek never gave up. With the help of his foster parents and mentors, he has defied the artificial limitations imposed upon him. This has never held Derek back from accomplishing what he set his heart and mind to. From owning a very successful corporation to having a family, his maxim is to make no excuses. Derek Clark is an inspiring speaker, singer/songwriter and the author of the Give Up organizations throughout the United States and Canada with his powerful message of hope and unwavering perseverance. He has been featured in numerous newspaper articles, radio and television. He has performed his music for some very famous people including the President of the United States. He has been featured with Lance Armstrong, Michael Phelps, Johnny Depp, Tyler Perry, Brad Pitt, Tyra Banks and U2 as “People Who Roar” by Roar Clothing. He unleashes his creative energy in a never-ending effort to ignite passion in others and instill the courage to never give up. His maxim is to make no excuses and become what you want to become. He has turned his situation from a victim to a victor, equipping him with the Wisdom and the Will to Never Give Up. To find out more about Derek Clark and his programs, visit
I Will Neverbook series. His true-life trials and personal triumphs have inspiredwww.IWillNeverGiveUp.com and www.NeverLimitYourLife.com
