Elizabeth Perkins shares the career decisions, mentors, and experiences that shaped her 20-year journey in vocational rehabilitation—and the leadership lessons that keep her challenging the system to help more people thrive. From her early days supporting customers at UPS to becoming coordinator of programs for Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation, Elizabeth reflects on the moments that drew her toward counseling, opened the door to leadership, and sparked her passion for advocacy, inclusion, and community partnership. If you care about disability employment, career development, or leading with purpose, this conversation will resonate.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How an unexpected path through psychology, HR, and counseling led Elizabeth into vocational rehabilitation
• Why one participant’s “dream job” in a junkyard became a turning point in how she tells the VR story
• The leadership qualities she values most: adaptability, authenticity, collaboration, and genuine relationships
• How transformational and authentic leadership shape her decisions
• Why she stays current through boards, training, advocacy, and ongoing feedback
• The mentorship advice that still guides her: “Don’t let boundaries limit your imagination”

Elizabeth also discusses normalizing disability, embracing diverse perspectives, and asking a question every professional should revisit: What is your why? Her answer is a reminder that meaningful work comes from staying rooted in purpose and showing up for the people you serve.

Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome to Mentor Moments and introduction to Elizabeth Perkins
00:31 — Elizabeth’s role with Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation
00:49 — From psychology and UPS to considering counseling and HR
01:46 — Choosing graduate school and discovering vocational rehabilitation
02:43 — Two decades with the agency: from counselor to leadership
03:10 — Why direct counseling work was her favorite job
04:07 — A participant’s dream job and the power of competitive employment
05:01 — Using video to tell participant and employer stories
05:51 — Building partnerships across schools, providers, workforce, and family support
06:49 — Career happenstance and the theory of planned happenstance
08:58 — Why adaptability, trust, genuineness, collaboration, and innovation matter
11:47 — Staying relevant in a changing field and updating old systems
13:17 — Why collaboration and partnerships matter more than silos
15:39 — Transformational leadership and authentic leadership
17:31 — Being solution-focused and challenging legacy processes
18:40 — Wanting to be part of the solution and drive change
19:26 — How boards, advocacy, training, and feedback help her stay current
23:46 — Mentors who opened doors
26:31 — “Don’t let boundaries limit your imagination”
27:31 — What inspires her about serving people directly
29:17 — Encouraging diversity, inclusion, and authentic self-expression
30:39 — Normalizing disability and sharing lived experience
33:07 — Knowing your “why” and keeping it visible
34:41 — Closing thanks and listener call to actionAction items