Meet the Center for Professional Development's staff, dedicated to helping individuals, businesses and organizations determine their next step on the pathway to career success.

Gail Champlin
Senior Director
In her 26 years as director, Gail has continually engaged the needs of businesses, organizations and the community through the evolving programs at the Center for Professional Development. She has lived in the Greater Hartford area her entire life and obtained a master's degree in social work from the University of Connecticut. She feels the best part of her job is employing the administrative aspect of social work to fields such as education and employment to help people reach their potential. In addition to her position as director, Gail is a professor of social work at St. Joseph College. She contributes to various other non-profit organizations, such as the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, Capital Workforce Partners and Act Now. In 2006, Gail's hard work was recognized by the Hartford Business Journal, which named her one of eight "Remarkable Women in Business." In her spare time, Gail enjoys gardening and painting with watercolors.

Eleta Jones
Associate Director of the Center and Director of the Career Counseling Department
Eleta earned a Ph.D. in guidance and counseling from the University of Michigan in 1978, beginning her exceptional career in the counseling profession. Eleta is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Connecticut and nationally certified since 1984. In 1995, she became the director of the counseling department and in 2002 she was named assistant director of the Center. During her time at the Center, Eleta has established new programs, such as the Human Resources Institute for Talent Development and Retention, which provides training pertinent to those in the human resources field. She is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Connecticut MBA program and at St. Joseph College. An engaging public speaker, she has worked with many organizations within the Greater Hartford area, including UTC Corporate Headquarters, Pratt & Whitney, American Eagle Federal Credit Union and Hartford Hospital. Eleta's many contributions were recognized in 2006, when she received the "Distinguished Professional for 2006" award from the Connecticut Counseling Association. Beyond her work at the Center for Professional Development and as an educator, the long time West Hartford resident is a mother of two. In her leisure time, she enjoys jazzercise, hiking, singing and travel. She has traveled throughout Europe, Asia and Central and South America.

Ron Clinton
Career Counselor
With a 30-year history in career counseling, Ron was delighted to join the staff of the Center for Professional Development in 1998. He began his counseling career after obtaining his master's degree in educational research and psychological testing. Ron also holds a CAGS in guidance and psychological services. He maintains a special interest in assessment of individual talents and inclinations as they relate to choosing career and life activities. In his spare time, Ron spends time with his two daughters and wife of 36 years. He enjoys athletics, playing guitar and carpentry.

Cathy McCloud
Career Counselor
After completing her master's degree in social work at the University of Wisconsin, Cathy relocated to the east coast, where she began an extensive career in both career and personal counseling. Cathy has been a career counselor at the Center for Professional Development for over 20 years. In addition to working with the diverse members of the public that utilize the Center, Cathy has also had the opportunity to provide career counseling to employees of several of the Center's corporate affiliates. The mother of two has lived in Suffield for 21 years. In her spare time, Cathy enjoys gardening, reading and hiking.

Melanie Sinche
Career Counselor
Melanie joined the staff of the Center for Professional Development in October 2006 after serving as the Founding Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Services at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). In this role, she offered individual counseling sessions and group seminars on career-related issues for postdoctoral scholars. She also provided services to faculty, including offering training programs on effective mentoring. Prior to serving postdocs, Melanie worked closely with graduate students as Assistant Director of University Career Services at UNC. She has also served as a recruiter for a diversity recruiting firm. In addition to her role at UNC, she has served as a guest speaker on career development topics at national meetings, government agencies, research institutes, and universities across the country. Melanie earned a Bachelor's degree from Colgate University and a Master's degree from the University of Michigan. In August 2004, she completed a second Master's degree in counseling at North Carolina State University and earned the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. She enjoys cooking, hiking, museums, cultural events, and exploring Connecticut with her young son and husband.

Cheryl Cabaniss
Director of Childcare Training Program
A proponent of the importance of childcare and a former daycare center entrepreneur, Cheryl joined the Center for Professional Development in 1993. Her Bachelor's of Science degree in family studies and child development made her a natural choice as a director and teacher for the nationally recognized CDA program. Cheryl enjoys working with children and enlightening childcare providers about the issues children face today. Married for over 20 years and a mother of two, Cheryl spends her free time with her children and reading or gardening.

Colleen Kruger
Director of Continuing Education
Colleen became the director of Continuing Education in 2000, two years after becoming a part of the Center for Professional Development. Currently working with the Construction Institute on membership, programs and business development, she also manages the Construction Institute workshops, which provide continuing education to professionals in the construction and facilities management industries. In the past, Colleen has worked on the Center's youth development and lifetime learning programs. She is a graduate of Charter Oak State College and is currently completing her master's degree in integrative education at Endicott College in Beverly, Mass. Beyond her work at the Center, Colleen mentors youth, is involved with local dance groups, and enjoys music, art and the outdoors. She resides in Hartford with her husband Robert and beloved pets, Oliver and Miss Emily.

Jean Blake-Jackson
Director of the Entrepreneurial Center
The director of the Entrepreneurial Center since 1998, Jean is committed to serving the business planning needs of all members of the Greater Hartford community. A graduate of New Hampshire College Graduate School of Business, Jean holds a Master's degree in science in community economic development. Jean began her career working with low-income and diverse populations on job development and entrepreneurship. Today, she leads the Entrepreneurial Center by developing businesses and maintaining constant communications with the entrepreneurial community. In her spare time, Jean enjoys shopping and gardening.

Sandra Cahill
Associate Director of the Entrepreneurial Center
A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University with an MBA in management, Sandra joined the staff of the Entrepreneurial Center in 1999. Previously, she had a distinguished career as director of Adult and Youth Development at CT Valley Girl Scout Council. Sandra believes the best part of her job is the opportunity to make a positive impact on community members. She also enjoys the educational aspect of her job, as well as the one-on-one business training that allows her to play a key role in brainstorming and utilize her passionate creativity. In 2006, the University of Hartford named Sandra an "outstanding staff member." A native to Connecticut, she resides in the Suffield area with her husband Mike. In her spare time, Sandra gardens, reads and sings alto in her church choir.

Terry Funke
Office Coordinator at the Entrepreneurial Center
An entrepreneur in her own right and mother of four, Terry was a natural fit as office coordinator at the Entrepreneurial Center. Having owned her own daycare center for over nine years, Terry understands the difficulty of starting a business and uses her knowledge to help participants in the various entrepreneurial programs. Terry enjoys working with clients and is the eyes and ears of the Entrepreneurial Center's operations. In her spare time, Terry enjoys dabbling in music, photography and hot air ballooning.