VCU RRTC

Bios:

Sue Babin has been working in the field of developmental disabilities for 40+ years. For the last 14 years, she has been a Special Projects Coordinator for the RI Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC), staff to the Systems Advocacy Committee (SAC), and founder and Project Director for RI’s “Self-Employment Business Incubator… the Spirit of Individual Enterprise Project” since 2018. Prior to this position, she was the administrator of the Office of Quality Assurance for the RI State Division of Developmental Disabilities for 30+ years advocating for the human rights of people with disabilities and overseeing investigations on abuse, neglect, and mistreatment; administrator for supported employment statewide grants; program manager for RI’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver; and responsible for designing monitoring and quality improvement programs for DD community agencies. Sue has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA), is a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island’s Omnicron Class, was a recipient in 2021 of Providence Business News (PBN’s) annual “Rhode Island Leaders and Achievers” Awards, and was a recipient of national ASPE’s annual David Hammis Innovation Award in June 2024.

Ciara Ladroma, the facilitator, has served the employment and entrepreneurial industries for the last 12 years with a focus on serving people with disabilities, women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. She has supported small business owners nationwide to create, launch, and grow their businesses. Ciara began her career in Supported Employment as an Employment Specialist and has since carried these unique skills and traits to all areas of her career. Previously serving as a Career Coach at Des Moines Area Community College and as the Director of the Iowa Women’s Business Center, Ciara has found ways to elevate communities by guiding people’s success through business ownership and career navigation. As an entrepreneur herself, she is able to take her own experiences and challenges to help others navigate their entrepreneurial hurdles. Ciara provides technical assistance and training on best practices regarding employment service delivery with a focus on Customized Employment and Self-Employment.