Presenter Information:  

Dr. Atira Charles, Assistant Professor of Management in the School of Business & Industry at Florida A&M University & CEO of Think Actuality, LLC
As one of the most innovative organizational scholars in the country, Dr. Charles' research, consulting, and training facilitation seeks to shed light on and further understand the unique narratives revolving around the way in which individuals manage their differences while striving for personal, professional and organizational success and wellness. Her expertise also focuses on organizational structures and processes that promote positive, inclusionary, and healthy environments. Additionally, she explores how organizations can effectively manage the differences of their employees, through social and structural means. More specifically, her research and consulting revolves around r identity management in the workplace, organizational management of differences, wellness practices,  and communication and feedback processes within diverse organizations. Inspired by her teaching philosophy, she also engages in research and coaching which focus on how individual’s can motivate themselves to positive and productive action through self- awareness, wellness, and  identity management.

Michael Sharon, Federal Preparedness Coordinator, Federal Emergency Management Agency Region III
Michael Sharon is the Federal Preparedness Coordinator for FEMA Region III and has been an emergency manager for over 25 years.  He directs FEMA Region III’s emergency training, exercises, continuity of operations, hazard/risk identification, and the National Incident Management System.  Mike leads the Regional Response Coordination Center during emergencies and has responded to numerous disasters throughout his career.  He was previously a senior emergency management specialist at the U.S. Department of State, Chief of the Emergency Response in the Maryland Department of the Environment, and Assistant Director (Operations) at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.

Tara Lynne Orlowski, M.Ed., Associate Director of Early Childhood Programs, Florida Center for Interactive Media at Florida State University
Tara Lynne Orlowski has a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and is currently working on a Ph.D. in Special Education, with a dissertation concentrating on early childhood professional development. Ms. Orlowski has been working as an instructional designer for over ten years, manages the instructional development unit, and oversees several projects related to training for both practitioners and regulatory staff. With over twenty years of experience, Ms. Orlowski has served in a variety of roles related to child care regulation, including several years working for the state program office working on policy development and training. Ms. Orlowski serves as the President for the National Association for Regulatory Administration, which is the professional organization serving child welfare, child care, and adult care regulatory personnel and agencies. She is a Commissioner for the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and has served on their Council for Standards Development since 2005. Ms. Orlowski serves as the Board Vice Chair for the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend, which is not-for-profit organization that provides services to families, children, and child care providers in seven Florida counties. Ms. Orlowski has worked in higher education since 2003, teaching credit and non-credit courses for five institutions in Florida at the undergraduate and vocational level.