Empowering Careers is a podcast from The DeBruce Foundation focused on helping individuals unlock their career potential. Each episode is hosted by Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight and features conversations with inspiring leaders and professionals shaping the future of work.
Whether you're a student, jobseeker, parent, educator, career coach, or employer—or simply curious about where work is headed—you’ll discover emerging trends, practical tools, and real-world stories designed to expand career pathways for all.
Episode 12: Expanding Pathways for Students with Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs
In this episode of Empowering Careers, host Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight talks with National School Boards Association Executive Director and CEO Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs about how school boards can help create more opportunities and pathways for students. Verjeana shares insights on preparing students for multiple futures, embracing innovation in education, and ensuring every student has access to the resources and choices they need to thrive. They explore the role of confidence, community partnerships, equity, and strong leadership in helping young people see more possibilities for what comes next.
Follow the National School Boards Association:
Website: https://www.nsba.org/home (https://www.nsba.org/home)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-school-boards-association/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-school-boards-association/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchoolBoards (https://www.facebook.com/SchoolBoards)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nsbapubliced/ (https://www.instagram.com/nsbapubliced/)
Follow Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latknight/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/latknight/)
X: https://x.com/LATKnight (https://x.com/LATKnight)
26 Aug 2026
Episode 11: Navigating an Evolving Workforce with Sean VanDerziel
In this episode of Empowering Careers, host Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight talks with NACE President and CEO Shawn VanDerziel about navigating today’s competitive and evolving workforce. Shawn shares insights on career readiness, translating experiences into valuable skills, and helping students tell compelling stories about what they can bring to employers. They explore the role of AI, internships, education, and networks in preparing people for winding career paths and expanding the possibilities for what comes next.
Learn more about NACE (https://www.naceweb.org/)
Follow NACE
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/naceorg/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NACEOrg/)
Follow Shawn VanDerziel
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/svanderziel/)
Follow Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/latknight/)
X (https://x.com/LATKnight)
17 Jun 2026
Episode 10: Preparing Students for Tomorrow with Jasmine Winslow
In this episode of Empowering Careers, host Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight talks with Executive Director of Multi-State Programs at AVID Center Jasmine Winslow about helping students build the confidence, skills, and support networks needed to thrive. Jasmine shares insights on expanding access to college and career opportunities while fostering self-advocacy, purpose, and future readiness. Together, they discuss how educators and communities can create intentional pathways that help close opportunity gaps so every learner can explore possibilities and pursue their goals with confidence.
Learn more about AVID (https://www.avid.org/)
Read Not By Chance (https://www.amazon.com/Not-Chance-Stories-Individual-Determination/dp/B0FXG41D4F)
Follow AVID
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AVIDCenter)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/avid4college)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/avid4college/)
X (https://x.com/AVID4College)
Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/avid4college.bsky.social)
TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@avid4college)
Follow Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/latknight/)
X (https://x.com/LATKnight)
20 May 2026
Episode 9: Helping Students See What’s Possible with Jill Cook
In this episode of Empowering Careers, host Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight talks with Executive Director of the American School Counselor Association Jill Cook about how school counselors can help students expand what they believe is possible for their futures. From early career exploration to real-world experiences, Jill shares how counselors build confidence, connect students to meaningful pathways, and shift the conversation from “what do you want to be?” to “what do you enjoy?”, preparing students for a lifetime of learning and opportunity.
Follow ASCA on Instagram (https://instagram.com/weareasca/)
Follow ASCA on Facebook (https://facebook.com/AmericanSchoolCounselorAssociation/)
Follow Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight
LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/latknight/)
X (https://x.com/LATKnight)
15 Apr 2026
Episode 8: Reimagining Student Success with David Law
In this episode of Empowering Careers, host Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight talks with AASA President and Superintendent of Minnetonka School District David Law about his 30+ year journey in public education. From his start in the classroom to his leadership of Minnetonka Public Schools, David explores the importance of “failing forward,” closing opportunity gaps, redefining workforce readiness, and why he remains optimistic about the next generation’s ability to lead and succeed.
Follow David Law on X (https://x.com/DLawSuper)
Follow David Law on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tonkasup/)
Follow David Law on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-law-7079a843/)
Learn more about AASA (https://www.aasa.org/)
Follow Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/latknight/)
X (https://x.com/latknight)
18 Mar 2026
Episode 7: Drawing Bold Futures with Patti Dobrowolski
Episode 5: Creating Economic Opportunity with Leslie Gill
In this episode of Empowering Careers, host Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight talks with Leslie Gill, President and CEO of Rung for Women, about empowering women to build sustainable, fulfilling careers.
From an unexpected start in public service to leading a career accelerator for women in St. Louis, Leslie shares how early life experiences, career agility, and community shaped her path. Listeners will learn why exposure and exploration are critical to career growth, how networks and mentorship fuel economic mobility, and what it truly means to invest in the whole person—not just the job.
Learn more about Rung for Women (https://rungforwomen.org/)
Follow Leslie Gill on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-gill-97586218)
Follow Rung for Women on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/rungforwomen/)
Follow Rung for Women on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/rungforwomen/)
Follow Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/latknight/)
X (https://x.com/latknight)
6 Oct 2025
Episode 4: Unlocking Network Strength with Nitzan Pelman
In this episode of Empowering Careers, host Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight talks with Nitzan Pelman, CEO & Founder of Climb Together, about the life-changing power of networks.
From her early challenges in school to exploring leadership and entrepreneurship, Nitzan shares how relationships shaped her career—and how building social capital can transform opportunities for job seekers. Listeners will learn why all kinds of connections matter, and how to start creating networks that open doors.
Learn more about Climb Together (https://www.climbtogether.co/who-we-are)
Follow Nitzan on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitzan-pelman-04b8514)
Follow Climb Together on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/climb-together/)
Follow Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/latknight/)
X (https://x.com/LATKnight)
2 Sept 2025
Episode 3: Championing Neurodivergent Talent
Kate Duffy shares how advocacy, community-building, and inclusive education shape her work supporting neurodivergent individuals. From personal experience to professional impact, she offers practical strategies for helping all learners discover their strengths and build meaningful, sustainable career paths.
Get in touch with Kate Duffy (mailto:Kate.developingtalents@gmail.com)
Coming soon: Kate's Developing Talents Blog (https://developingtalents.blog)
Read Developing Talents (https://www.fhautism.com/shop/developing-talents/) by Kate Duffy & Dr. Temple Grandin, published by Future Horizons (https://www.fhautism.com/)
Follow Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/latknight/)
X (https://x.com/LATKnight)
4 Aug 2025
Episode 2: Building Confidence in the Classroom
Host Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight welcomes 2024 National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman for a conversation about cultivating confidence in the classroom, the lasting influence of great educators, and embracing the mindset of lifelong learning.
Start building confidence in the classroom with The DeBruce Foundation's K-12 Resources (https://agilities.org/tools-resources/k-12-resources/)
Learn more about Missy Testerman, 2024 National Teacher of the Year (https://ntoy.ccsso.org/2024-national-teacher-of-the-year/)
Follow Missy
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/missy-testerman-b7343388/)
X (https://x.com/missytesterman)
Follow Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/latknight/)
X (https://x.com/LATKnight)
26 Jun 2025
Episode 1: Reshaping the Job Search with Jonathan Javier
Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight interviews Jonathan Javier, CEO of Wonsulting, about reshaping job searches and leveraging career literacy to navigate evolving hiring trends.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
948,590
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
18
Social presence
0
YouTube
82
Engagement
32
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Guest appearances
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