OUR HISTORY
Walk the Walk© began in a small farming community in Rose Hill, NC. The principal at Charity Middle School wanted his school counselor, Doug Shirley, to create a program targeting his at-risk student population.
A program, Walk in My Shoes, was created in 1996 where problematic students were placed on academic/discipline contracts. If they adhered to the terms they were rewarded with a job shadowing experience. The success stories were documented and presented at various functions.
The Duplin County Board of Education caught wind of the program and implemented it into a six-figure JobReady grant. Doug was asked to speak to an audience of politicians in Raleigh, NC, to showcase the program. A short time later Duplin County was awarded the grant and Duplin County JobReady was formed. Walk In My Shoes was implemented in all high schools in the county. A total of 500+ students participated.
The program earned many awards and distinctions. Once the grant money ran out the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction recognized the need to continue with programs such as Walk In My Shoes.
Doug earned his Career Development Facilitator license and worked to expand the program in Raleigh, NC.
A comprehensive career development program entitled Walk the Walk© was born. It was recognized at various state-wide conferences, earned a number of awards and recipients of several grants. Doug decided to return to his home in western Pennsylvania and form a non profit organization entitled Career Walk Inc. where he serves as President.
Where students define their future, one step at a time
Our Team
Doug Shirley
President
Doug earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Greensboro College in Greensboro, NC, and his M.Ed. in School Counseling from Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, PA.
He also earned a Career Development Facilitator license from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and a Global Career Development Facilitator license from the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc.
He has enjoyed various roles in the counseling field, including, Middle School and High School Counselor, Career Development Coordinator, Mobile Therapist, and Outpatient Therapist. He also has years of Accounting experience. He is an avid tennis player and loves to travel. His favorite vacation spot is Kauai, Hawaii.
Scott Hacker
Vice President
Scott has a BS in Finance from Penn State University as well as an Associates’ degree in both Accounting and Banking. Scott has spent most of his life in Western Pennsylvania. He and his wife Kathy live in Butler, PA, and have two sons.
Scott now works with New York Life and NYLIFE Securities helping business owners and individuals create, manage, and protect their wealth; including the tax impact of each strategy. Scott had spent 18 years in commercial lending with various banks and has spent 5 years as General Manager of a family-owned metal fabricating company.
Scott’s passion for business is focused on helping people understand what their options are and helping them understand the impact on their business and families. Career Walk Inc. focuses on helping our children understand what their options are relative to education and job choices fit this same focus.
Kierra Wood
Secretary
My name is Kierra Wood. I graduated summa cum laude from Butler County Community College in Communications.
Since graduation, I work full-time as a Regional Client Educator at the Early Learning Resource Center. When not at work, I am a fierce advocate for Huntington’s Disease. Trying to give a rare disease a voice, I have spoken to Congress, students, and researchers about my experiences. I have been a lifelong Butler resident and I look forward to making it a better place using Career Walk.
Steffany McCaffery
Treasurer
Steffany has a BS in Accounting and Business Administration from Westminster College. Steffany spent ten years in public accounting before joining Mike Kelly Automotive of Butler in 2007. She has served as Controller and Corporate Officer in the group of dealerships in Butler and Uniontown for the past 14 years.
Steffany enjoys working with all employees on internal projects, daily operations, and corporate activities and events. Steffany spends much of her time outside of her career working with the Alzheimer’s Association. After 20 years of fundraising, she just completed her second year as Chairperson of the Pittsburgh Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This passion comes from a family link to
Alzheimer’s disease through her Grandfather, her Mother, and her husband’s Grandmother.
Steffany has lived in Western Pennsylvania all her life. She and her husband Rob live in Cranberry Township, PA and has three daughters.
Tricia Pritchard
Tricia Pritchard
WSBA 2017 Business Woman of the Year and 2016 Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber Prestigious Business Leader Award Recipient, Tricia Pritchard is an active member of our community!
For 13 years, Tricia has taught communication courses at BC3. Tricia also teaches at Grove City College. Her students have given her the nickname “Professor Poppins” for her positive personality and passion for helping others.
Recently, Tricia joined the Armstrong Neighborhood Channel as TV host of the Butler Buzz. Tricia also values community service and loves to help her Butler County Special Olympics friends. Tricia serves on the board of directors for the Center for Community Resources. Tricia and her husband, Rob, are the proud parents of three children: Riley, Abby and, Renee. Tricia’s family is her greatest joy!
M.A. in Corporate Communication 1999, Duquesne University
B.A. in Communication Studies 1994, Duquesne University
Our Track Record
Nov. 2, 2020 by Curio412
As a young nonprofit, Career Walk's dedicated partnership with Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School has kept them moving forward.
Feb. 25, 2021 by Justin Zackal
Shirley, a 1995 SRU graduate with a master's degree in secondary guidance and counseling, led successful school-to-career programs in North Carolina before returning to his native western Pennsylvania where he is launching Career Walk.
Volunteer
How can you help to guide others for this program? There are many opportunities you can enroll. As a volunteer, you can take part in events like the open house.