James Emmett & Company
Meet Our Leading Disability Inclusion Consultant ExpertsEmpowering Successful Business Strategies Through Disability Inclusion
We are a national team of Disability Consultants with years of education and experience in the world of disabilities (expertise in all aspects of disabilities) and specific experience in development, implementation and support of an inclusive workforce, from local companies to international corporations.
JEC assists companies to establish relationships with local disability employment vendors and to build the internal capacity to recruit, hire, train and retain employees with disabilities.
We use the leading Corporate Development models to increase your businesses bottom line, while creating a stronger workforce for your company, a workforce that is comprised of qualified workers who are safe, productive, loyal, and have a lower turnover rate.
James Emmett – Founder & CEO
Connecting people for over 30 years
James Emmett is a national leader in development of employment services for individuals with disabilities as well as in assisting corporations in creation of outreach efforts to the disability community. He is an individual with a disability and a parent of three daughters with disabilities.
James has worked on many of the most visible disability & inclusion projects in the country with companies like Walgreens, Best Buy, Office Depot/Max, PepsiCo, and Mercy Health. Working through APSE HR Connect, James serves as lead consultant for TIAA-CREF’s “Fruits of Employment” project.
In the past, James has worked as the initial Disability Program Manager for Walgreens helping set up the company’s national disability initiative. He also assisted Easter Seals National in laying the foundation for their national autism services network. James graduated with a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Illinois Institute of Technology.
James has also worked with companies such as UPS, ABN Amro/LaSalle Banks, Century Tile, and the Brookfield Zoo in developing outreach efforts targeting the disability community. He served as the Project Director for three award winning research/demonstration projects examining career development and transition strategies for individuals with autism and other disabilities. These projects included the Vocational Alliance Autism Project (VAAP), the Business Approach to Social Integration & Communication (BASIC) Grant, & the EmployAlliance Employment Within Business Project. James co-authored a chapter on school to work transition in the book Employment for Individuals With Asperger Syndrome or Non-Verbal Learning Disability. He recently completed an article for the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation entitled Lessons Learned By A Rehabilitation Counselor in Corporate America. He is currently writing a book entitled Business & Autism: The Desktop Guide on How Companies Target the Growing Autism Community. James has presented at over 200 national, state, and local conferences on issues related to career development, transition, the business community, and disability.
Also, in partnership with the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce & Industry, James helped develop and narrated a video entitled, “Improving Customer Service for People with Disabilities” which has been viewed over 16,000 times on YouTube.
James’ career vision is to forever change the business and disability communities by helping hundreds of companies create disability inclusion brands.
Meet Our Team
Carla Gaouette
Vice President
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Carla Gaouette, JEC’s Employer Services Vice President, oversees partnerships with multiple employers. Carla has been consulting with national employers looking to diversify their workforce with people with disabilities and other barriers for more than 20 years.
She received her undergraduate degree in Human Services Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Additionally, she holds a certificate in psychiatric rehabilitation from Boston University.
Carla’s entire career has been devoted to helping people with disabilities and other barriers realize and work toward reaching their full potential. Carla’s work has been concentrated in employment services, supporting many different populations around the ever-changing challenges in the employment world. A groundbreaking change for employment of people with disabilities was the development of the Job Training and Placement Programs for national companies.
Carla has focused during the last 15 years in developing her expertise, creating, and refining this model with companies like Walgreens, Sephora, Petco, and Travelers Insurance. Developing and operating this model has provided the exposure and experience nationally that led to the development of Viability’s Corporate Inclusion Solutions, which she created and managed, and her ongoing consultation with numerous companies.
Carla is a recognized expert in the realm of employment and training for people with disabilities, and she has spoken at the local, state, and national level at numerous conferences to explain and advocate for the full benefits and value of integrating people with disabilities to diversify any workforce. Her experience and knowledge in this area, as well as her relationship with national employers and governmental and private funding sources has contributed to the many successful employer initiatives she designed.
Bill Emmett
Executive Director of Talent Acquisition, DEI
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Bill Emmett has been involved in numerous national disability inclusion projects with James Emmett and Company (JEC). Working as the Chief Sourcing Officer, Bill has developed many partnerships across multiple industries.
Some of the partners that Bill has worked with are Advance Auto Parts, Quest Diagnostics, DRiV, TIAA-CREF’s “Fruits of Employment”, and many more.
Here at JEC, Bill is part of our expert team of consultants, specializing in creating pathways for employment for people with disabilities.
Bill holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from The University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Deb Russell
Project Manager
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Deb Russell bridges the gap between business and disability.
The business-value foundation of her philosophy has influenced thousands to impact the way business and disability communities approach disability inclusive competitive employment.
The first half of her career focused on serving people with disabilities through government and non-profit agencies. After 7 years at Walgreens (creating their groundbreaking and successful efforts to increase inclusion of people with disabilities across the enterprise at a substantial and sustainable scale), she has devoted the past 8 years to assisting employers in connecting with the disability community and assisting the disability community in connecting with employers.
Deb continues to drive change through thought leadership and practical strategies, is a sought-after international speaker and has testified before the US Congress.
Robert Washington
Embedded Specialist
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Robert Washington joined JEC in March 2021. He is a proud college graduate of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC.
He has 10 years of Banking and Finance experience. He has also enjoyed serving in Nonprofits and Community organizations for numerous years.
His passion has always been helping others. He is excited to be on the team at JEC.
Olivia Young
Embedded Specialist
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Olivia Young is a Disability Specialist from Lafayette, IN who has been with James Emmett & Co. for 2 years.
She has had a continuous role in working with different companies to break barriers within the workplace.
Olivia has a mission to assist candidates that are seeking employment that best suits them
Risa Mack
Embedded Specialist
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Risa Mack currently works as our Embedded Specialist in Carrollton, Texas. Most of her 10+ years has been working with adults and children with disabilities
Risa works from a person-centered approach supporting clients with aligning their goals while and increasing independence. Her experience ranges from Lead Direct Support Specialist, Residential Supervisor, Employment Specialist, Documentation Specialist, and Medication Technician. Among her areas of expertise are assistive technology instruction, social skills training, situational functional skills assessment, job exploration, counseling & development, and cultivating individual service plans.
Risa has a passion for assisting others and encourages individuals to focus on their abilities rather than their disability. Her altruistic approach brings clarity, direction, and positive support for her clients. Risa is a visionary and takes great pride in advocation and sustaining lasting relationships