Professional Contributions Award

This is awarded to a MACCA member to recognize excellence and significant contributions to the career development field through leadership activities, innovative programming, or contributing articles/books. Past recipients have included Fulbright Scholars, noteworthy authors, and accomplished leaders in the field of career development.

2025 Recipient ~ Denise Carey

MACCA recognizes Denise's outstanding leadership, innovation, and enduring impact on the field of career development. Denise exemplifies the highest standards of professional excellence through her strategic vision, commitment to workforce advancement, and passion for helping individuals achieve meaningful employment and career success. As the Reemployment Program Director with the State of Maryland, Denise has been instrumental in transforming workforce initiatives to better serve the diverse needs of Maryland’s jobseekers and employers. Her leadership has guided the development of innovative reemployment strategies, data-driven performance models, and cross-agency collaborations that have significantly improved service delivery and outcomes statewide. Denise’s approach to program design emphasizes accessibility, inclusion, and continuous improvement, values that have shaped Maryland’s workforce programs into national models of success. Beyond her administrative achievements, Denise’s true impact lies in her ability to inspire and mentor others in the career development field. She is known for fostering professional growth among her staff, championing new ideas, and leading with empathy and integrity. Under her direction, teams have implemented creative outreach strategies, modernized service delivery methods, and expanded partnerships with education and business sectors to ensure equitable access to opportunity. Denise’s contributions extend beyond her role within the State. She has been an active voice in professional associations, a frequent contributor to workforce development discussions, and a mentor to emerging professionals in career services. Her thought leadership and commitment to advancing best practices have left a lasting imprint on the Maryland workforce system and the broader career development community. For her visionary leadership, innovative programming, and lifelong dedication to empowering individuals through meaningful career pathways, Denise Carey truly embodies the spirit of the Professional Contributions Award. Her work continues to elevate the standards of our profession and to inspire others to make a difference in the lives of those they serve.

Previous Recipients

• Awards committee did not convene in 2024
  
• Renee Duquette Sheer & Cindy Ernharth (2023)
• Dr. Contance Pritchard (2022)
• Karen Chopra (2021)
• Jessica Campain & Jim Peacock (2020)
• Nancy Fink (2019)
• Rose Howard (2018)
• Shahrzad Arasteh (2017)
• Rowe Leathers (2016)
• Kristen Carter (2015)
  
• Paula Brand (2014)
• Barry Davis (2013)
• Karol Taylor & Janet Wall (2012)
• Barry Davis (2011)
• Peter Oscsodal (2010)
• Joyce Henderson (2009)
• Cristina Damiao (2008)
• Joyce Henderson and Connie Egelman (2007)
• Linda LeNoir (2006, 2005)
• Cheryl Bonner (2004, 2003, 2002)
• Marcia Merrill (2001)