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Roseville, Calif. — PRIDE Industries has announced the addition of Dr. Jennifer Camota Luebke as Chief Rehabilitation Officer. In this role, Camota Luebke replaces longtime executive Vic Wursten as he transitions into retirement in December. She will lead the company’s vocational rehabilitation programming strategy and operations as the company innovates new integrated, community-based employment pathways for people with disabilities. She will also oversee the company’s disability employment advocacy efforts. In this capacity, she will work closely with organizations that promote employment services as well as with state and federal legislative offices to influence employment policies that impact people with disabilities.

“PRIDE Industries is a pioneer in vocational rehabilitation and employment support services,” said Jeff Dern, President and CEO of PRIDE Industries. “Jennifer is an established leader with a passion for our mission. Her background in business, learning and development, and advocacy make her an ideal fit for our entrepreneurial culture.”

Experience in Business and Inclusion 

Camota Luebke has over 25 years of experience in senior leadership positions in a variety of industries. Her experience spans accounting and finance, learning and development, and sales and marketing within Fortune 1000 companies and higher education.

 

Camota Luebke has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and an MBA and doctorate degree in Education (Ed.D.) with a concentration in Leadership & Organization from the University of San Francisco. Her academic research was on leadership practices that inform inclusive learning communities. She has been an associate dean and leadership professor at the University of San Francisco and the Hult International Business School.

A Passion for Disability Inclusion

As the mother of a college student who has an intellectual disability, Camota Luebke strives to build a more inclusive world to which people of all abilities belong. In 2017, Camota Luebke received a Jefferson Award for Public Service for her volunteer work and academic research in disability inclusion. She is the co-founder of Ability Revolution, Inc., which advances authentic inclusion for people of all abilities in workplaces, educational institutions, and communities and a board member for All Belong Center for Inclusive Education, which equips private schools across the country to include students with varied abilities. Camota Luebke also served as the Advisory Board Chair for the Northern California chapter of Best Buddies, a global nonprofit organization which creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 

As part of her advocacy work, Camota Luebke has produced independent films and videos to share the experiences of individuals with disabilities and their families. Her award-winning documentary called “You Can Be BRAVE” is about her bold advocacy for her son to participate in all areas of society.

“Virtually every waking minute of my life is spent doing something with and for the disability community. That’s my passion,” said Camota Luebke. “This world wasn’t built for people with disabilities. Joining PRIDE Industries allows me to focus full-time on creating a fully inclusive world and workplace for people of all abilities.”

About PRIDE Industries

PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, we provide facilities operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment services, and staffing and recruitment services to private and public organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. Through personalized employment services, we help individuals realize their true potential and lead more independent lives. PRIDE Industries proves the value of its inclusive workforce model through operational success across multiple industries every day. Learn more at https://PRIDEIndustries.com.

 

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Media Contact
Kat Maudru

PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.

Jeff Dern, President and CEO of PRIDE Industries, contributed an open forum article in the San Francisco Chronicle about the benefits of incorporating people with disabilities into the workforce. What follows below is an excerpt of the article. You can read the full text here.

Labor shortage? People with disabilities are ready and able to work. Hire them.

It’s generally accepted that the U.S. is in the midst of a severe labor shortage. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were more than 10 million unfilled jobs in June [of 2021]. Thankfully, there’s an immediate solution to this employment gap. By broadening the accepted view of talent we can create access for millions of unemployed workers who want to contribute.

Who are these enthusiastic, reliable employees? Individuals with disabilities.

All employees need training and support to be successful. When workforce investments are oriented in an inclusive manner, an individual with a disability can achieve anything. Because of their lived experiences, they often have the very qualities and skills employers often seek: adaptability, perseverance, commitment, desire.

Without the opportunity to participate, however, these valuable traits go unnoticed.

Each company’s diversity and inclusion talent strategy should include people with disabilities—labor shortage or not. Some of the most successful companies in the country, including Amazon and Walgreens, have built a competitive advantage through talent recruitment practices. By providing training geared to disability inclusion, these companies have gained access to millions of talented workers who have higher-than-average retention rates and lower absenteeism.

But what about the cost of accommodation?

One Job Accommodation Network survey found that of 600 businesses surveyed, 56% reported that accommodating employees with disabilities added no costs, while the rest reported an average of $500 to accommodate an employee with disabilities.

So, what did companies get in exchange for $500?

A lot, according to global consulting firm Accenture’s Getting to Equal 2020: Disability Inclusion study. It reports that companies led by executives focused on disability engagement are growing sales 2.9 times faster and profits 4.1 times faster than their peers. And engagement levels of employees with disabilities are 1.5 times higher in companies with the most inclusive cultures.

As head of the nation’s leading employer of people with disabilities, Pride Industries, I found the results of the Accenture study unsurprising. People with disabilities fill essential roles throughout our company and have been a key to our success. Our facilities professionals maintain 13,000 buildings at corporate campuses and military bases, such as the Army’s Fort Bliss and Los Angeles Air Force Base. Our custodians post dramatically higher retention rates than the national average. Our manufacturing floors teem with decades-long tenured employees working with longtime customers like HP Inc. 

People with disabilities have the ability and desire to work. Business leaders need to normalize workplace inclusion and provide equal employment access for all. It’s good for the community, of course, but it makes business sense, too.

Media Contact
Kat Maudru

PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.