Panelist Profiles

Supporting Students’ Mental Health

Ingrid Prioleau Byrd, Director, Career Development, Kennedy-King College

Ingrid Prioleau Byrd is on a mission to help build Chicago's workforce through collaborative efforts leading to transformational and meaningful career decisions by urban community college students. She is among the most credentialed career services professionals in the Illinois community college system. Her career services approach encompasses her doctoral education in industrial and organizational psychology and two master's degrees in economics and the combined counseling and organizational psychology. Her certifications include master online teaching, counseling, professional résumé writing, and digital career strategist..

Amber M. Brown, Assistant Director, Career Development, Washington University in St. Louis

Amber Brown has worked for WashU since 2017 as a career coach with the Brown School serving master- and doctorate-level students and alumni with an interest in social work, public health and social policy careers. Before her time at WashU, she worked at various higher educational institutions in the St. Louis area in the field of career development. She is passionate about helping others discover ways to use their strengths in the workplace while advocating for equity. Outside of WashU, Amber is the chair of two organizations (Missouri Career Development Association and Consortium for Career Development in Social Work Education).

Brian J. Pillsbury, PhD., Director, Career Services at Northern Illinois University

Dr. Pillsbury has been helping Northern Illinois University’s students with their career development since 2000. He is currently Director of Career Services at NIU as well as in his third term as President of the Illinois Career Development Association. Dr. Pillsbury earned his doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri – Kansas City and is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Illinois. He strongly believes in the close connection between mental health and career development.