Private Bio (seen by GCDA Members only)
Debra Ruddell, MS, is a Global Career Development Facilitator (CCE), an NCDA Certified Career Counselor (CCC), a Certified Neurodiversity Professional (IBCCES), plus, a highly experienced Career Assessment administrator including MBTI & Strong Interest Inventory & more. She is the owner of DJR Career Connector, a private practice in metro Atlanta where she specializes in career exploration, rediscovery, and transitions, from entry level to executive. Debra is also a Crossroads Career Ministry and leadership volunteer. Her most recent CNP certification confirms Debra's passion to assist clients with neurodiverse variations to explore & to connect with employers offering a Neurodiverse Workplace.
Debra holds a Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Mercer University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from IU-PUI in Indianapolis. Debra completed the NCDA Leadership Academy in 2019 and is a Past President of the Georgia Career Development Association (GCDA), serving on the GCDA Board for 6 years. She currently serves on the National Career Development Association Credentialing Commission as well as the NCDA Technology Committee.
Debra has most recently worked for Impact Group, serving relocation clients across the U.S., as well as in higher education as a Career Director & Manager at the Georgia Institute of Technology Alumni Association, as well as the Mercer University Atlanta Campus Career Center where she served alumni, undergraduate, and graduate students.
