The Employer Partner Celebration was a wonderful event honoring integrated employment and the individuals that make that happen! On Friday December 6, 2024, champions for inclusion in the workplace gathered at Capital One Headquarters Office to celebrate with each other and network.

In the words of our Jobs Participant, Hannah, “Having a job makes me feel good about myself. I feel more confident and have learned how to advocate for myself. To all the employers out there: I hope my story inspires you to consider hiring people with disabilities. Everyone is capable—we just need to find what we’re good at!”

Congratulations to our Supervisor of the Year, Galy Torres, and Employer of the Year CBRE, represented by Sumon Ali, Johanna Commons, and Laura Graham.

Galy is an incredibly steady, kind, honest, and supportive manager who always makes time to meet with Hannah – a participant in our Jobs Program – and discuss what is going well and where there is room for growth. She approaches every situation with empathy while also ensuring the job gets done correctly and on time. Galy has ensured that Hannah is a true part of their team and has found ways to uplift Hannahs strengths within the workplace.

CBRE is a wonderful support to our jobs program, but always goes one step further and asks,”What else can we do?” From supervisor Sumon Ali’s leadership and support of our Jobs Participant Minkee, to CBRE’s generosity with in-kind furniture donations, to the support of Erik Fellers and Minkee’s Champion of the Year campaign, CBRE goes above and beyond, making them incredibly deserving of the Employer of the Year title.

Thank you to Erin Mical, Meghan Trossen and the Capital One Team for hosting this event a second year in a row. Capital One embraces Best Buddies completely as a partner – they have sponsored Best Buddies programs, including hosting ambassador trainings with Capital One volunteers, being a sponsor for the Best Buddies Homecoming Gala, organizing a Friendship Walk Team every year, and inviting Best Buddies to their events, including PerchFest, shows at Capital One Hall and of course their support of this event.

Thank you to Tommy McFly for emceeing the event and thank you to everyone who attended and celebrated inclusion in the workplace. We cannot wait to see what 2025 has in-store for the Best Buddies Jobs Program!

Join us in creating a more inclusive workforce – email CarolineFleury@BestBuddies.org today!