Workforce Empowerment Program for Transgender and Gender Expansive Individuals conducted by Ashley Brundage

This professional development program is open to all transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary and gender expansive individuals with the ultimate goal of economic empowerment for some of the most marginalized yet innovative members of the LGBTQ community.  There is NO COST for participants to participate as this program is provided through the generosity of the FISA Foundation. However only 15 participants will be selected therefore please apply only if you can meet the time commitment.   Program materials and supplies will be provided to participants  and the program consists of 2 in person meeting and 8 online courses. This course is beneficial to anyone looking for career growth, leadership development, personal growth, information on intersectionality and privilege, empowerment, goal setting, understanding social justice in a professional setting, strategy development, and more.

Ashley T Brundage is the Founder and President of Empowering Differences. While seeking employment at a major financial institution, she overcame harassment, discrimination, and homelessness to empower her differences. Not just her status as a transgender woman but also missing the chance to go to college growing up due to her transition. Gender, Education, Ability, and Religion played key parts in her journey of empowerment. Starting her second career as a part time teller she rose to National Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion in less than 5 years. She captured this 4-step process of using empowerment to cultivate change in her new book and online leadership course both called Empowering Differences. Ashley credits her success to those closest to her for providing actionable allyship including her 2 teenage sons, Bryce and Blake. Since beginning transitioning in 2008, she has worked tirelessly to promote awareness and acceptance of gender identity and expression. 

This 10 week program will include

2 In person meetings in Shadyside.

• 8 online weekly online1 hour program modules. Individuals who do not have access to computer or online may make arrangements to utilize 3RBA offices. 
• Assistance on resume writing, job interviewing and dressing for Success aligned with transgender participants individual needs Conducted by Dress for Success Pittsburgh and Three Rivers Business Alliance
• Mock Interviews with corporate partners Conducted by Hugh Lane Wellness trainer Asta Kill
• Empowering Differences Book and immediate access to the eBook
• Fillable PDF workbook and printed copy
• Empowerment and Differences Assessments
• Self Empowerment Audit
• Professional Development Plan including specific support for transgender professionals
• Personalized Empowerment Report
• Invite to join asynchronous course cohort groups with new weekly empowerment content
• Participants must complete all 10 weeks of programming to receive certificate of completion and professional recommendations.   
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The Workbook takes you in depth through the 8 Empowering Actions outlined in the book Empowering Differences and align with the course modules. Use the e-course modules with the workbook, which is completed in 2 sections:

• Self Assessments: You will spend time going through the questions and answering them, then reflecting on what you have learned
• Empowering Actions: Once you have completed the self-assessment and really taken a look at your answers, you will put them into action. Using the second part of the workbook – The 10 Empowering Actions, you will learn how to bring it all together.