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Board of Directors
Katie Nelson President president@cdpi.org Katie Nelson currently serves as the Senior Manager of Career Services in the Center for Career Opportunities at Purdue University in Indianapolis, Purdue's extension campus. She is driven by connecting students with employers and empowering them with lifelong career readiness skills. Katie earned a bachelor's degree in Communication and Spanish from UW-La Crosse, and a masters in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. In her free time, Katie enjoys reading, going on weekend road trips, hiking, and testing out new recipes.
Donisha Council Treasurer treasurer@cdpi.org Donisha Derice Council is an unapologetic optimist, inspired by the mindset of psychologist Viktor Frankl—believing deeply in the power of purpose, even in life’s most challenging moments. She earned her Bachelors in Criminal Justice from Martin University and Masters in Psychology from Indiana Wesleyan University. Through her company, All Things Woke, Donisha is a life coach, helping people reconnect with their authentic selves through purpose-driven support in career development, strengths exploration, and grief processing. She's a CliftonStrengths Certified Coach, and loves helping individuals uncover and harness what makes them unique. Donisha is also a Reiki Master and a trained practitioner in yoga, meditation, and breathwork, integrating these healing modalities into coaching to support the whole self—mind, body, and spirit. In her personal time Donisha enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is a lover of words enjoying reading and writing. Connect with Donisha on LinkedIn
 Yuliya Cormier prcommunications@cdpi.org Yuliya Cormier is the Career Services Consultant at Purdue University in Indianapolis where she works with all students, freshmen to PhD candidates. Yuliya was introduced to career services in March 2023 where she served as the Career Services Advisor at the School of Engineering and Technology at the former IUPUI campus before transitioning to Purdue. Before her time in career services, Yuliya worked in college and university admissions for 8+ years and served in a wide variety of institutions. In her personal time, Yuliya enjoys spending time with her two sons, husband, and blue-heeler pup.
Alyssandra Howe Director of Professional Development and Education professional-development@cdpi.org Profile coming soon!
| Dillon Waggoner President-Elect president-elect@cdpi.org Dillon is the Associate Director for Business Plus in Kelley Indianapolis Career Services at IUI where he oversees internship and co-op experiences. He also has a robust background in coaching and facilitating and served the Career Center at Ball State University for over seven years before coming to IUI. His Master’s Degree is in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University, and he has professional interests in workplace engagement, game-based learning, and incorporating fun into work and education. Dillon loves books, hiking, and board games. He loves spending time with his family, which consists of his amazing wife, daughter, and pit-mix rescue. Connect with Dillon on LinkedIn
Lilandra Lestz Secretary secretary@cdpi.org Lilandra Lestz is the Assistant Program Director of Career Services with Luddy Indianapolis School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering and is Gallup Clifton Strengths Certified. Lilandra is a first-generation college graduate, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with double minors in Sociology and Social Work from Marian University as a 21st Century Scholar. She became the first Latina of her cohort to earn a Master of Arts in Leadership Practice in 2025. Lilandra's career journey includes working as a Vocational Rehab Employment Specialist at Cummins Behavioral Health, Inc., career services roles at Marian University, and as a Career Coach at Ivy Tech for the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education. Her passion for empowering others comes from her own experience of navigating life independently and wanting to be the support she once needed. In her personal time, Lilandra enjoys public/audio speaking opportunities, resting, exercise, exploring new places, and inspiring others by sharing her story. Fun fact: The name is inspired by Lilandra Nermani from Marvel’s X-Men comic books. Connect with Lilandra on LinkedIn
Lisa Hamilton Historian historian@cdpi.org Lisa is the Associate Director for Exploratory Career Coaching at the Career Exploration and Student Employment Office at Indiana University, Bloomington, where she oversees the training and professional development of the career coaching staff. Lisa has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in education. Lisa also serves as an adjunct lecturer for the Kelley School of Business in the Communication, Professional, and Computer Skills Department. In her free time, Lisa loves to spend time with family, friends, and her dog. She also enjoys reading, working out, doing yoga, and spending time in nature.
TBD internships@cdpi.org Applications for 2026-2027 Graduate Student Virtual Intern will be live in September. Please stay tuned!
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Bryson Maesch Past-President past-president@cdpi.org Bryson Maesch is the Career Coach at Ivy Tech Community College in Hamilton County where he supports students in their career development, assists with training new Ivy Tech career coaches statewide, and develops & facilitates career-focused workshops among other responsibilities. Prior to Ivy Tech, Bryson also served as a Career Advisor at Indiana Wesleyan University. He earned his Bachelors in Telecommunications from Ball State University and Masters in Higher Education Leadership from Oakland University. Bryson loves hiking (especially when he can visit the mountains!), watching movies, going to the rock-climbing gym, and spending time with his wife and two cats. 
Alexandra Hoffman Director of Member Services memberservices@cdpi.org Alex Hoffman serves as the Partnership & Business Development Specialist with the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP), where she works to build and strengthen partnerships between schools, employers, and community organizations to support workforce development initiatives through erepio. She is passionate about connecting education and industry while creating meaningful opportunities that prepare students for successful careers. Alex earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana State University. Before joining E-REP, she spent more than seven years at Ivy Tech Community College, serving in a variety of student success and career development roles, most recently as a Career Coach. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to helping students explore career pathways, develop professional skills, and connect with employers. In her free time, Alex enjoys reading , traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.
Elizabeth Bowers internships@cdpi.org Elizabeth Bowers is the Assistant Director of Career Services within the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at IU Bloomington. She coaches undergraduate students on the storytelling elements of their professional journeys and runs the social media accounts for her office. Prior to being in the career development field, Elizabeth worked in Title IX and Equal Opportunity compliance at the University of Southern Indiana, her alma mater. Elizabeth’s passion for higher education and student success began during her time as an Orientation Leader at USI. Elizabeth holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communications, but her favorite topics are interpersonal communication, organizational communication, and strategic communication. Throughout her career Elizabeth has held the belief that we are made of stories, and how we tell our stories is how we connect with others. Outside of work and CDPI, Elizabeth loves spending time with her friends, fiancĂ©, and two dogs, traveling, and doing random artsy hobbies. She also owns and operates EB&J Nails, a small business that gave her the opportunity to meet Fernando Mendoza and go viral because of it!
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Previous Board Members