Hello! I'm Cait.
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I'm a business thinker turned doctorally trained occupational therapist with a penchant for big ideas and a tendency to jump in to any and all exciting projects. I'm passionate about empowering others to participate fully in the things that are meaningful to them. I'm particularly interested in business, neurodiversity, and improving accessibility across industries.
Dr. Cait Russell
Disability Advocate.
Doctor of Occupational Therapy.
Business Grad.
Consultant.
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Email:
Let's Chat About:
Accessibility
Neurodiversity
Sensory Accessibility
Executive Functioning
Business + OT
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
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EXPERIENCE
2021-Present
Executive Director
NEURODIVERSITY EMPLOYMENT NETWORK: PHILADELPHIA
Director of Neurodiversity Employment Network: Philadelphia. Assisted the organization's board in establishing 501(c)3 status, developing logic model for strategic planning, creating website and branding, and managing programmatic needs. Host quarterly events, speak at external events, complete networking meetings, presentations, and connect a community of practice with the goal of improving employment outcomes for neurodivergent adults in Philadelphia.
2022-Present
Adjunct Instructor
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
Adjunct Instructor for Occupational Therapy Doctoral Students. Course Title: Occupational Therapy Doctorate Leadership: National & Global Perspectives. Emphasis on understanding leadership theories and developing leadership potential of OTD students.
2020-Present
Founder
SENSORY FRIENDLY CITIES INC.
I founded and run operations for Sensory Friendly Cities Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit focused on increasing sensory accessibility in our communities. We provide a free comprehensive guide to community spaces that offer sensory accommodations across Philadelphia, educate on sensory differences, and actively seek to create more sensory accessible spaces.
2019-2020
Level II Fieldwork
BURLINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
I worked with young autistic adults individually to develop prevocational and independent living skills. Additional projects included expanding an existing pre-vocational program using principles of quality improvement to fidelity to intervention with teachers and teacher assistants and developing evidence-based case study to improve executive functioning skills in neurodivergent students.
2018-2019
Level I Fieldwork
OT INTERNSHIPS
Level I Fieldwork experience includes group programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, interventions for young children with sensory processing differences, equine-assisted therapy for children with developmental disabilities, school-based therapy, and acute rehabilitation.
2016-2018
Business Internships
CONSULTING + MARKETING
Served as primary lead for consulting engagement for $50B sports media company. Interned as Behavioral Economics consulting intern, using evidence-based psychology to inform client solutions. Worked on marketing team at Special Olympics Pennsylvania to further community efforts.
EDUCATION
2018-2021
Doctoral Degree
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD).
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Honors: Emerging Leader Award, Dean's Scholarship; Chosen to represent Thomas Jefferson University Department of Occupational Therapy in international interdisciplinary exchange program in Kitasato, Japan
2014-2018
Bachelor's Degree
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA - CHAPEL HILL | KENAN-FLAGLER BUSINESS SCHOOL
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Honors: Robertson Scholars Leadership Program, Class of 2018. The Robertson Scholarship is a full merit scholarship program at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill awarded based on future leadership potential; Kenan-Flagler Business School Award for Excellence in Strategy
2014-2018
Minor
DUKE UNIVERSITY
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Completed a minor in Psychology in the Trinity School of Arts and Sciences at Duke University as part of dual-enrollment with the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program.
SELECT RESEARCH + PRESENTATIONS
Neurodiversity Landscape: Current Practices of Inclusion; Philadelphia Society of Human Resource Managers Symposium; March 2023
Executive Functioning in the Neurodiverse Workplace, Academy of Management Annual Meeting, July 2019
Neurodiversity-inclusive practices in higher education: Using a needs assessment to spur change throughout university systems; World
Federation Of Occupational Therapy Conference, August 2022
Neurodiversity Strategy: An Employer’s Guide to Hiring and Retaining Autistic Employees; Independent Research
Innovation for Inclusion of Diversity & Accessibility, Comcast Labs Connect, June 2022
Neurodiversity: The Frontier of Inclusion; B! PHL Innovation Festival, October 2019
SKILLS
Public Speaking
Disability education
Program Development
Strategic Planning
Leadership
Sensory Integration & OT Consultation