January 9, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET | Virtual Event
Read More & Register Here!
Speaker Bios
Bryan Kempton, Director, Career Services and Alumni Relations | University of Maryland School of Public Policy
Bryan Kempton, director for Career Services and Alumni Relations, oversees all employment and internship services for School of Public Policy (SPP) students and alumni, including career counseling, career preparation programs and the development of employment opportunities in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. He is also responsible for working with the Alumni Chapter Board to bring quality programs and services to SPP alumni.
Kempton brings a wealth of career development experience to the School. In his years of experience in higher education, he served in a variety of roles at various campuses including the University of Maryland. Prior to SPP, he worked for four years as a Program Director at the Career Center working with the College of Education, School of Public Health and students with disabilities.
Before coming to the University of Maryland, Kempton was a career counselor in the Office of Career Planning and Placement at the University of Michigan. In Ann Arbor, he served as a pre-medical and pre-law advisor while teaching career development courses and counseling students on career-related issues. He also has career services experience from Trinity College in Washington, DC and Florida International University in Miami, FL.
On the professional front, Kempton completed the Fulbright International Education Administrators Program in Germany. He recently chaired professional groups within the Association for Professional Schools of International Affairs and the American College Personnel Association. Kempton also co-authored a chapter in a text entitled “Career Counseling of College Students” published by the American Psychological Association.
Kempton holds both a M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology and Higher Education Administration and a B.A. in Psychology from James Madison University.
Rosemary F. Riel, Associate Director of Career Education and Equity | Towson University Career Center
Rosemary F. Riel is Filipina American, born and raised in Ohio and transplanted to Maryland over 20 years ago. Her career has spanned managing strategic initiatives at four Baltimore-area universities and mobilizing multi-disciplinary educators, spirited students, and community-based leaders to examine health and social inequities, both locally and globally. She is most inspired when cultivating experiential learning that tenderize all learners toward injustices they encounter and embody. Rosemary seeks university-community partnerships open to transforming higher education and committed to reflection-in-action work that expands career insights for Towson University students.
Chaz Walters, MS, Associate Director of External Relations and Partnerships | Towson University Career Center
Chaz Walters is the Associate Director of External Relations and Partnerships for the Career Center at Towson University, where he serves students by connecting them with quality employers through career fairs, on-campus events, and employer-connected internship opportunities. He is deeply passionate about student success and finds his greatest impact working within higher education environments that support career exploration, access, and opportunity. Chaz earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nonprofit management from the University of Baltimore and holds a graduate certificate in leadership and management from University of Maryland Global Campus. Raised in Baltimore, he is a proud dad to twin daughters and a die-hard fan of all things Baltimore including the Ravens and Orioles.
Natasha Coco Benitez, Wellness Program Manager at American University | Speaker | Professor
Natasha Coco Benitez is a dynamic speaker, adjunct professor, and Wellness Program Manager at American University. With over 20 years of experience, she champions workplace well-being and holistic health strategies. From stress management to mindful leadership, Coco inspires audiences to lead healthier, more balanced lives—personally and professionally.
Ann Hollingsworth, Vice President, Government Affairs | The Nonprofit Alliance
Ann Hollingsworth is a seasoned government relations specialist with expertise in policy analysis and international relations. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of Government Relations and Senior Policy Advisor at Refugees International (RI) where she led the organization’s advocacy efforts within the U.S. foreign policy community. Previously, Ann represented International Crisis Group as Senior Analyst for U.S. Advocacy and Research, leading targeted advocacy with senior Washington policy audiences, including the State Department, the White House, USAID, and Congress, as well as think tanks and the nonprofit sector. Ann has testified before Congress and been a featured speaker in a variety of policy events, most notably with the State Department, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. She served in the office of U.S. Senator Ernest F. Hollings, then Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee. She earned a Master’s degree in International Development from Tulane University and a B.A. in Communications from the College of Charleston.
