When the Community Learning Center, Inc. formalized its concern for workers with special needs and barriers to employment through specific programs, it sought the guidance of Angela Traiforos, a respected professional in the field of workforce development – to ensure that the Organization’s efforts was operated in accordance with the highest standards of her field. Ms. Traiforos has been involved in the organization, staff training, and direction of this Industry lead workforce development program since it inception in 2000.

An U.S. Department of Education Mary Switzer Scholar, Ms. Traiforos has served on the board of International Association of Business, Industry and Rehabilitation, as the vice chair of the People-to-People Committee and the treasurer of the U.S. Council for International Rehabilitation. A member of the Labor Committee of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, she has also served on peer review panels for the U.S. Department of Education. Her efforts on behalf of people with special needs have brought her a number of honors, including the U.S Department of Education – Rehabilitation Services Administration Commissioner’s Award. Ms. Traiforos has been an active advocate for improving training and employment services at the international level and has been a facilitator for the 1997 International Leadership Forum for Women with Disabilities, a member of the U.S. Delegation to the Rehabilitation International Governing Assembly in Seoul, Korea, and the 4th European Conference for the Advancement of Assistive Technology.

Ms. Traiforos is a certified disability management specialist.

Ms. Traiforos began her career as a vocational rehabilitation counselor at the Jewish Vocational Service of Chicago. From there, she went on to the Rock Creek Foundation and the Kennedy Institute where she served as a training and employment coordinator, assisting youth and young adults with special needs. In 1980, she became involved with the development and implementation of IAM CARES. Under her leadership, IAM CARES expanded from a single location in Seattle into an international network serving as of mid-1997, nineteen (19) labor market areas in the United States and Canada. Pursuant to the professional standards developed by Ms. Traiforos, the programs of IAM CARES placed over 26,000 individuals with special needs, in competitive employment during this period. Her final assignment prior to joining CLC was with Senior Service America, Inc (formerly NSCERC).

Her educational background includes a M.Ed. from the University of Maryland, a B.A. in psychology from Purdue University, and a degree in French Literature from the French Academy in Athens, Greece.