The President’s Choice Award is a distinguished recognition personally selected by the acting President of Career Directors International.
This honor is not presented on a fixed annual schedule. It is awarded only when an individual’s leadership, initiative, and contribution meaningfully elevate the profession and the CDI community.
Recipients are selected based on their significant impact on the careers industry through education, innovation, service, and sustained commitment to raising standards. The award recognizes those who step forward not because they were asked — but because they see what needs to be done and choose to lead.
After a period of pause from 2022 through 2024, the President’s Choice Award returns in 2025 to recognize individuals whose contributions have materially strengthened CDI and the broader career services community.
2025 President’s Choice Award Recipients
Bridget Batson – Houston Outplacement Resume Writing and Career Counseling
Second-Time Recipient
Bridget Batson is recognized for her exceptional leadership within the CDI Education Committee and for her substantial contributions to CDI’s professional development resources.
In 2025, Bridget stepped forward to collaboratively carry and strengthen the Education Committee’s initiatives, including the development of high-value CDI Tip Sheets and educational webinar programming. Her willingness to invest time, expertise, and strategic thinking into CDI’s educational framework has directly enhanced the member experience.
Her continued service and advisory contributions demonstrate a sustained commitment to advancing professional standards across the CDI community.
Laura Hartnell – Brightside Careers
Third-Time Recipient
Laura Hartnell is honored for her outstanding contributions to CDI’s Education Committee and her instrumental role in the development of CDI Tip Sheets.
Her collaborative leadership has helped expand CDI’s educational offerings and maintain high standards of content quality and relevance. Laura consistently looks for ways to strengthen programs, improve delivery, and ensure members receive meaningful, actionable value.
Her dedication reflects the spirit of the President’s Choice Award — quiet leadership with visible impact.
Marie Plett – Aspirations Career Services, Inc.
Third-Time Recipient
Marie Plett is recognized for her exceptional creation and development of the MMAANG Member Tip Sheets, ATS resume writing standards, and her educational webinar contributions.
Her work has provided tangible, high-level guidance to members navigating modern resume architecture and professional design standards. Marie’s thought leadership continues to influence how career professionals approach both aesthetics and technical execution in resume writing.
Her service reflects both innovation and stewardship, strengthening CDI’s professional credibility and educational authority.
Jeannine Bennett – Vision to Purpose
First-Time Recipient
Jeannine Bennett stands out in 2025 for her forward-thinking leadership in the evolving AI landscape and her contributions to program and course development.
Through webinar development, strategic advisement, book publishing insight, and partnership initiatives, Jeannine has played a key role in expanding CDI’s positioning within the rapidly changing AI-influenced market. Her insight has helped CDI thoughtfully navigate emerging technologies while maintaining professional responsibility and standards.
Her contributions represent the kind of innovation and collaborative leadership that shape the future of the careers industry.
Gayle Howard – Top Margin Resume Writing & Career Education
Sixth-Time Recipient
Gayle Howard is recognized in 2025 for her extraordinary leadership in returning to serve as Director of CDI Resume Writing Certification and the TORI Awards following personal health challenges.
Without being asked, Gayle fully revamped and optimized both programs, improving structure, flow, and overall participant and judge experience. Her initiative, resilience, and commitment to excellence elevated two of CDI’s most visible and influential programs.
Her actions reflect both professional dedication and personal strength, raising the bar for what leadership in service to the profession truly means.
Former President’s Choice Award Recipients
2020 to 2021 (Recognized Collectively)
Rachel VanderPol Raymond, ACRW, CCST, CERM, NCOPE – RVP Career Services (Education Committee)
Laura Hartnell – Laura Hartnell Career Transition Services (Education Committee/Director of Recruiter’s Voice)
Bridget Beeco (Batson), CERM, CMRW, CPRW, CEIP, NCOPE – Houston Outplacement Resume Writing and Career Counseling (Education Committee & Private Outreach)
Nickquolette Barrett ~ The GET HIRED Strategist – iRock Development Solutions, LLC dba iRock Résumés (Spearheaded the Eradicate Workplace Bias Program)
Gayle Howard – Top Margin Executive Resumes and Coaching (Director of Resume Certifications and Director of TORI Award Competition)
Marie Lane (Plett), CERM, CGRA, CPRW, BFA – Aspirations Career Services, Inc. (Board and Multiple Webinar Contributor)
Tammy Shoup – Writer – Breakthrough Resume Writing Service (Private Outreach)
2018 to 2019 (Recognized Collectively)
A lot of great people made CDI work so we are recognizing everyone here under 2019. All full-time volunteers recognized for their EXTENSIVE contribution. This includes:
Gayle Howard – Top Margin Executive Resumes and Coaching (Director of Resume Certifications)
Audrey Prenzel – Resume Resources, Inc. (Board and Director of TORI Awards)
Patricia Duckers – CareerPro Global, Inc. (Resume Certification Committee)
Barb Poole – Hire Imaging (Resume Certification Committee)
Gillian “Jill” Kelly – Career Edge (Resume Certification Committee)
Erin Kennedy – Professional Resume Services (Resume Certification Committee)
Darlene Dassy – Dynamic Resume Solutions (Resume Certification Committee)
Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter – CareerTrend (Resume Certification Committee)
Posey Salem – Radiant Resume Career Services (Education Committee)
Jeri Hird Dutcher – Workwrite (Education Committee Director)
Maureen Farmer – Word Right Career & HR Consulting (Education Committee)
Lucie Yeomans – Agave Communications LLC/Your Career Ally (Education Committee)
Gayle Draper – Intentional Careers and Human Resources (Education Committee)
Marie Plett – Aspirations Career Services, Inc. (Board)
Kimberly Robb Baker – This Little Brand (Board and Creator of Certified Career Storyteller course)
Tiffany Hardy – Top1Resumes (Education Committee)
Michelle Lopez – One2One Resumes (Education Committee)
Rebecca Henninger – RH Resumes (Education Committee)
Rachel Raymond – RVP Career Services (Education Committee)
Laura Hartnell – Laura Hartnell Career Transition Services (Education Committee)
Robert Dagnall – Resume Guru (Education Committee)
Zakiyyah Mussallihullah – Andy Thomas Careers Now (Education Committee)
Annette Richmond – career intelligence Resume Writing and Career Services (Resume Certification Committee)
Dawn S. Bugni – The Write Solution (Resume Certification Committee)
Carolyn Whitfield – Total Resumes (Resume Certification Committee)
Many others contributed through their service as TORI award judges, Career Innovator award judges, and webinar presenters. With such a giving, involved membership it would be easy to recognize everyone. But we appreciate all the gifts received by CDI.
2015
In 2015 we recognized two people who were not full-time CDI volunteers but who contributed above and beyond. We also recognize all our full-time volunteers who continue to make CDI what it is. They include:
Grant Cooper – CareerPro of New Orleans / Strategic Resumes (Continued contributions to CDI year-over-year)
Deb Dib – Executive Power Brand (Went above and beyond to liaise with CDI’s Board in 2015)
Gayle Howard – Top Margin Executive Resumes and Coaching (Director of Certifications)
Robin Schlinger – Robin’s Resumes® (Director of Awards)
Pat Schuler – The Gemini Resources Group (Board)
Audrey Prenzel – Resume Resources, Inc. (Board)
Susan Guarneri – AssessmentGoddess.com (Board)
Patricia Duckers – CareerPro Global, Inc. (Resume Certification Committee)
Annemarie Cross – Advanced Employment Concepts (Resume Certification Committee)
Barb Poole – Hire Imaging (Resume Certification Committee)
Gillian “Jill” Kelly – Career Edge (Resume Certification Committee)
Erin Kennedy – Professional Resume Services (Resume Certification Committee)
Darlene Dassy – Dynamic Resume Solutions (Resume Certification Committee)
Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter – CareerTrend (Resume Certification Committee)
Posey Salem – Radiant Resume Career Services (Education Committee)
Damali Curry Edwards – Conscious Recruiting, Inc. (Education Committee)
Amy L. Adler – Five Strengths Career Transition Experts (Education Committee)
Kim Meninger – Executive Career Success (Education Committee)
Jeri Hird Dutcher – Workwrite (Education Committee)
Sophia Marshall – MeSheet (Education Committee)
Maureen Farmer – Word Right Career & HR Consulting (Education Committee)
2014
All full-time volunteers recognized for their EXTENSIVE contribution. This includes:
Gayle Howard – Top Margin Executive Resumes and Coaching (Director of Certifications)
Robin Schlinger – Robin’s Resumes® (Director of Awards)
Pat Schuler – The Gemini Resources Group (Board)
Audrey Prenzel – Resume Resources, Inc. (Board)
Susan Guarneri – AssessmentGoddess.com (Board)
Patricia Duckers – CareerPro Global, Inc.
Annemarie Cross – Advanced Employment Concepts
Barb Poole – Hire Imaging
Gillian “Jill” Kelly – Career Edge
Erin Kennedy – Professional Resume Services
Darlene Dassy – Dynamic Resume Solutions
Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter – CareerTrend
Posey Salem – Radiant Resume Career Services
Damali Curry Edwards – Conscious Recruiting, Inc.
Amy L. Adler – Five Strengths Career Transition Experts
Kim Meninger – Executive Career Success
Jeri Hird Dutcher – Workwrite
David Smith – Career Success Made Easy
2012
Audrey Prenzel – Resume Resources
Amy L. Adler – Five Strengths Career Transition Experts
Robin Schlinger – Robin’s Resumes
Pat Schuler – The Gemini Resources Group
2011
Susan P. Joyce – Job-Hunt.org
Pat Schuler – The Gemini Resources Group
2010
Susan P. Joyce – Job-Hunt.org
Gayle Howard – Top Margin Career Marketing
2009
Laura Drew – Carolina Career Coach
Robin Schlinger – Robin’s Resumes
2008
Susan Guarneri – Assessment Goddess
Camille Roberts – CC Career Service
Nona Pratz – Types Write
Laura Labovich – A & E Consulting, LLC
2007
Barbara Safani – Career Solvers
2006
Don Skipper – Career Beginnings, Inc.
2005
Freddie Cheek – Cheek & Associates, LLC
2004
John Donovan – CRS Resume Service
2003
Anne Kramer – Alpha Bits
