National Career Academy Recap 2025

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COLLEGE LINKS SCHOLARS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY GATHERED FOR THE 2025 NATIONAL CAREER ACADEMY

This year’s INROADS National Career Academy, themed “We’re Up Next. No Limits, Just Possibilities,” brought together high school students from across the nation for a dynamic two-day virtual experience from July 17 - 18, 2025.

For the first time, the National Career Academy and the INROADS National Conference merged, creating a platform for immersive workshops, inspiring keynote sessions, and networking with INROADS interns, alumni and industry leaders.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

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    2025 INROADS NATIONAL CAREER ACADEMY KEYNOTE

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    Eric Rodriguez

    INROADS Alumnus, Keynote Speaker, and founder of a human-centered innovation firm

    2025 INROADS NATIONAL CAREER ACADEMY COLLEGE STUDENT PANEL

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    SYDNEY HILL

    Marketing Intern at
    FAMU Athletics

    Florida A&M University
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    KRISTEN VAUGHN

    Sophomore
    Architecture BA

    Kennesaw State University
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    DREW QUINONEZ

    INROADS Intern at Huntington
    Ingalls Industries

    The University of the South
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    UZOMA ONUIGBO

    Senior
    Presidential Scholar

    San Diego State University

    2025 INROADS NATIONAL CAREER ACADEMY PITCH COMPETITION JUDGES

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    RASHIDAH JONES

    Leader, BIPOC coach, and Senior Program Manager at the Urban League of Greater Atlanta
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    PHYLLIS CARTER

    INROADS Alum, Chief Financial Officer, Board Director

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    YMORAH BLAKENEY

    Associate in the Visa Leadership Accelerator Rotational Program and Founder & CEO of The Up & Coming
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    PAIGE MALCOLM

    Software Engineer at MetLife,Inc. and Co-founder of Skincentric
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    CATHY SAINT LOUIS

    Director and Lead Analyst, CMBS at S&P Global Ratings, INROADS Alumna

    2025 INROADS NATIONAL CAREER ACADEMY SPEAKERS

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    Dr. Rita Green

    INROADS alumna, Certified Personal and Family Finance Educator, Accredited Financial Counselor and Founder of GRADES LLC 

    Are You the BOSS of It?
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    Lawrence Ellis

    Tech Strategist, Educator and Founder of Nevora

    Don't Get Left Behind: AI Skills to Win in School, Life and the Future

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    Dr. Pam Richardson

    Educational Innovator and Architect of the “Get Workplace Ready” program

    College by Design, Not by Default: Maximizing Your Educational Investment
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    Sonia Oblitey

    Brand Strategist (“Brand Day Dreamer”)

    Your Brand, Your Story: Elevating Your Personal Brand with Confidence
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    Cassandra Whitlow

    Certified Recruiting Consultant, Career Coach, Author

    Navigating Conflict with Confidence
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    Sly Williams

    Super Bowl Champion, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur

    CHAMP Leadership (Commitment, Honesty, Accountability, Mindset, Persistence)
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    Erica Smith

    Trauma Therapist & Equity Educator

    Leading with EQ: Mental Health for Changemakers
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    LAN PHAN

    Peak Performance Expert and Author

    Level Up: How to Stay Strong When Life Gets Tough

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    Stephanie Tran

    Recruiter at SiteOne Landscape Supply

    Rooted in Opportunity: From College Beginnings to Green Careers
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    Myky Truong

    Senior Recruiter, Partnerships & Initiatives

    Rooted in Opportunity: From College Beginnings to Green Careers
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    Michele Posehn

    Senior Manager of Analytics, Partnerships, and Initiatives at SiteOne Landscape Supply

    Rooted in Opportunity: From College Beginnings to Green Careers
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    MJ Pittman

    Entrepreneur, Financial Educator and Founder of Simple Money Academy

    Money Moves: Smart Choices for a Strong Financial Future

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    Elexxus Welch

    Marketing Strategist, Immersive Event Producer, Co-founder of SPILL IT Card Game

    Critical Thinking: Mastering the Art of Smart Choices
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    Brandy Pitts

    Business and Accounting Consultant, Founder of Built by Brandy and Co-founder of SPILL IT

    Critical Thinking: Mastering the Art of Smart Choices

    2025 INROADS NATIONAL CAREER ACADEMY SPONSORS

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    INROADS NATIONAL CAREER ACADEMY (NCA) RECAPS

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