2025 Conference

New Horizons Shaped Together:
Empowered Beginnings, Innovative Futures

Wednesday, May 28

12:00 pm ⦿ Set Up & Registration

12:00-1:30 pm ⦿ Ballrooms C ⦿ Service Provider Exhibits Setup

1:30-4:30 pm ⦿ Registration Opens

3:00pm ⦿ MRA President’s Welcome & Service Provider Exhibits Open

⦿ Ballrooms A/B/C

3:00-3:15 pm ⦿ MRA Welcome ⦿ Michael Kiener Ph.D., CRC, Maryville University, MRA President & William Dooley, Asst Director of VR Mental Health Services, MRA President-Elect

3:15-3:45 pm ⦿ Service Provider Recognition: Elizabeth Perkins Coordinator, Programs MO Vocational Rehabilitation

3:45 ⦿ Opening Keynote

Featured
Susie Arbo Presents From Stressed to Your Best: Mastering Wellness & Avoiding Burnout
May 28
Ballrooms A/B/C
keynote
Susie Arbo Presents From Stressed to Your Best: Mastering Wellness & Avoiding Burnout
Ballrooms A/B/C
keynote

An engaging and practical presentation designed to help individuals recognize the signs of stress and burnout, develop effective coping strategies, and build a sustainable approach to wellness

Ballrooms A/B/C
keynote

5:00 pm ⦿ Kick Off Pep Talk

5:00-5:15 pm | Chris Clause: Assistant Commissioner, Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services, DESE

5:30 pm ⦿ First Night Networking

5:30-7:30 pm ⦿ Sky Lounge ⦿ Escape Room, Networking games, Food, Drinks. Sponsored by Missouri Welding Institute  

Thursday, May 29

7:30 am ⦿ Introduction

⦿ Sky Lounge

7:30-8:25 am ⦿ Registration Opens & Hot Breakfast

8:30-9:00 am ⦿ MRA President Morning Welcome/PEQ Survey with Michael Kiener & Jessica Doebber

9:00–9:15 am ⦿ Exhibitors/Relax N’ Recharge Break

9:15 am ⦿ Break Out Session #1

Select a session to learn more

10:15 am ⦿ Exhibitors/Relax N’ Recharge Break

10:40 am ⦿ Break Out Session #2

Select a session to learn more

Featured
Transitioning to Success: Empowering Careers and Futures through Collaborative Support and Development
May 29
Ballroom A
Professional Development
Transitioning to Success: Empowering Careers and Futures through Collaborative Support and Development
Ballroom A
Professional Development

Maya Harris, Coordinator of Vocational Experience

Ballroom A
Professional Development
Upper Conference Room
Technology & Resources
Accommodations, Apps and Hacks-Effective, Quick and Cheap
Upper Conference Room
Technology & Resources

Scout Merry, Program Coordinator, Missouri Assistive Technology

Upper Conference Room
Technology & Resources
Ballroom B
Job Development
Circumferencing Employer Relationships
Ballroom B
Job Development

Paulina Gravelin & Cim Holker, MERS Goodwill

Ballroom B
Job Development
Missouri Room
Self-Care
Self-Care for Optimal Mental Health
Missouri Room
Self-Care

William Dooley, MS, LPC, CBIS, Assistant Director of Mental Health Services, Vocational Rehabilitation

Missouri Room
Self-Care

11:45 am ⦿ Awards Luncheon

⦿ The Sky Lounge
Awards Luncheon with Extra Special Guest – Governor’s Council on Disability: Kimberly Pudlowski, Director, MU Pre-ETS Banquet Lunch

1:45 pm ⦿ Exhibitors/Relax N’ Recharge Break

2:15 pm ⦿ Break Out Session #3

Select a session to learn more

3:20 pm ⦿ Break Out Session #4

Select a session to learn more

Friday, May 30

7:00 am ⦿ Welcome

⦿ Sky Lounge

7:00 – 8:30 am | Hot Breakfast & Morning Business Session- Michael Kiener, MRA President

8:45 am ⦿ Break Out Session #5

Select a session to learn more

Featured
Disabilities Between Visible and Invisible: Navigating Work When You Seem “Off”
May 30
Ballroom B
Job Development
Disabilities Between Visible and Invisible: Navigating Work When You Seem “Off”
Ballroom B
Job Development

Jason Hartsfield, Disability Inclusion Lead Consultant

Ballroom B
Job Development
Upper Conference Room
Technology & Resources
Pathways to Assistive Technology
Upper Conference Room
Technology & Resources

David Baker, Director of Missouri Assistive Technology and Angelina Alpert, Research Assistant

Upper Conference Room
Technology & Resources
Ballroom A
Professional Development
Building Professional Identity through Engagement and Ethical Commitment
Ballroom A
Professional Development

Michael Kiener, PhD, CRC, Jessica Doebber and Rachael Rehagen, MA, PLPC

Ballroom A
Professional Development

10:00 am ⦿ Silent Auction Closes & Conference Announcements

10:30 am ⦿ Closing Keynote

Featured
Breaking Barriers: My Journey Toward Employment Success
May 30
Ballroom A/B/C
keynote
Breaking Barriers: My Journey Toward Employment Success
Ballroom A/B/C
keynote

University of Missouri–St. Louis student Cooper Howard shares his inspiring path through education and vocational growth. He will reflect on his time in the SUCCEED Program, highlight his current career achievements, and discuss his goals for the future

Ballroom A/B/C
keynote

11:30 am ⦿ Closing

‘Name Tag’ Basket Drawing, Exhibitor Bingo Drawing, Silent Auction Winners