Professional Development Seminar:
Navigating 'Othering': Empowering Clients and Practitioners to Thrive
Presenter: Andrea Horton-Mericli
Hosts: Laurie Stickels and Anastasia Lopez
Location: Virtual (a Zoom link will be sent a few days before the event)
Date: Friday, March 14th, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
In this 2-hour interactive online seminar, Andrea Horton-Meriçli, founder of Diversifuse, will guide participants through the complex topic of ‘othering’—the act of marginalizing individuals or groups by treating them as outsiders. This workshop will explore how othering affects both clients and career practitioners, examining the personal, professional, and systemic impacts it can have. We will discuss short- and long-term consequences, identify ways practitioners can prepare clients to face othering in their job searches and workplaces, and reflect on how career professionals can protect themselves when being othered. The session will also offer practical strategies for responding to othering, whether you are the one being othered or a bystander witnessing it.
Attendees will leave equipped with tools and strategies to build more inclusive, supportive environments—not only for their clients but also within their own professional networks and workspaces. Through interactive activities, role-play exercises, and group discussions, participants will gain actionable insights to better serve marginalized communities and promote belonging in career services. This workshop emphasizes allyship, self-advocacy, and bystander intervention techniques, empowering participants to make meaningful changes that foster inclusion, both for themselves and the individuals they serve.
More about our Expert Speaker
Andrea Horton-Meriçli is an experienced leader, advocate, and entrepreneur with a career dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and career development. Her professional journey spans education, workforce development, nonprofit management, and diversity advocacy, with a consistent focus on fostering inclusive environments and empowering underrepresented individuals. Andrea’s roles have included developing and implementing initiatives to recruit and retain diverse talent, ensuring organizations reflect the communities they serve.
In addition to her diversity recruiting and sourcing role at the University of Pittsburgh, Andrea is the founder of Diversifuse, a consulting company that provides DEI-focused training, strategic assessments, and career development services. Through Diversifuse, she works with organizations across industries to help them implement sustainable inclusion strategies, believing that innovation and progress are fueled by diverse perspectives. Andrea’s work is grounded in empathy, data-driven insights, and a passion for equity. Whether guiding career professionals, training leadership teams, or consulting on DEI strategies, she remains committed to creating spaces of belonging where everyone, regardless of background, can thrive and succeed.
