Katie Conte
Katie Conte is a senior human services and program leadership professional with over 20 years of experience across public service systems, including more than two decades working within the pension system and over 10 years specializing in services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Her passion for service began in fourth grade when she first volunteered for Special Olympics, an experience that helped define her lifelong career path in advocacy and human services. She began her professional career in 1999 as a substitute teacher for Eastern Suffolk BOCES, which provided flexibility while raising her family. She later transitioned into a paraprofessional role with Middlesex County Educational Services Commission, where her work directly supporting students and families inspired her to pursue a long-term career dedicated to disability services and community-based support.
Katie currently serves as an Adult Services Manager at Bergen County Special Services, where she oversees a day habilitation program supporting approximately 60 clients and 11 staff members. In this role, she leads program strategy, operational improvement, staff development, and person-centered service delivery for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is known for successfully revitalizing and strengthening programs through equity-driven leadership, strong compliance standards, and multidisciplinary team collaboration. Her professional expertise is further supported by certifications as a Registered Behavior Technician, CPR/First Aid instructor, Medication Administration certified professional, and Handle With Care trainer. She continues to advance her clinical and leadership knowledge through ongoing training with the College of Direct Support, focusing on person-centered planning and quality service outcomes. For Katie, her greatest professional accomplishment is not awards or recognition, but helping individuals advocate for the lives they want and supporting them in achieving independence, dignity, and personal goals.
Katie is also deeply committed to lifelong learning and academic excellence. She graduated as valedictorian from Bergen Community College at age 46 out of more than 3,000 students and was accepted to five universities with full scholarships, including Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania. She chose to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science with concentrations in social sciences, professional writing, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. She is currently pursuing an Executive Master of Public Administration at Penn to strengthen her expertise in governance, public finance, and executive leadership. Katie is also an active member of the Penn Club of New York City and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, reflecting her dedication to professional networking, academic achievement, and community engagement.
• Registered Behavior Technician
• CPR Certified
• First Aid Certified
• Medication Administration Certified
• Handle with Care Trainer
• College of Direct Support Certifications
• University of Pennsylvania - EMPA
• University of Pennsylvania - BAAS, Social Difference, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Professional Writing and Social Sciences
• Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Hall of Honor Nominee
• Bergen Community College Valedictorian
• University of Pennsylvania Summa Cum Laude
• Association of Alumnae 2025 Continuing Education Award
• Milal Jr Supports Scholarship Award of Excellence in Service
• Academic Excellence for Education A.S.
• Distinguished Leadership Award
• JK Winn Valedictorian Award
• 2022 Scott Wright Student Essay Contest
• New Jersey All State Academic Team
• Gold Scholar on Coca-Cola’s 2022 Academic Team
• MSR Distinguished Chapter Officer
• 2021 Nota Bene Literary Journal
• 1st place Women (re)Writing History contest
• Penn Club of New York City
• Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for Community Colleges
• Special Olympics (since 4th grade)
• Bergen Community College Student Mentorship and Leadership Workshops
• Eva's Village
• Ethan and the Bean Cafe
• Holy Bones Dog Treats
• Habitat for Humanity
• Ringwood Borough Recreation Department
• Stockings for Seniors NJ
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the incredible mentors who believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. Lisa Mayer, one of the advisors for the Honor Society at Bergen Community College, and Melissa Krieger, the head of the education department there, have been my biggest cheerleaders through this whole process. They pushed me to dream bigger than I thought possible. But I could never have done any of this without the support of my husband and my whole family. We had to restructure how our family life worked for me to even be able to go back to school. My kids really stepped up, and it was a good learning experience for them too. Some people asked if I felt like I was taking away from my kids, but I told them no, I'm becoming a role model for them. My family is my biggest support system. I have such wonderful kids who show up for everything, for each other and for me. Especially considering everything my children have gone through, to be so tight-knit and support one another in that way is just amazing. I definitely did something right, and we're very blessed that way.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from my mentors at Bergen Community College. When I was planning on becoming a teacher, they told me, 'Listen, you can do bigger things, and I think that you should try.' One of my mentors specifically said, 'I think you can get into an Ivy League school, and you're not going to go there to become a teacher. You can do other things.' That advice completely changed my trajectory. They saw potential in me that I didn't see in myself at the time. They pushed me to apply to Ivy League schools when I was embarrassed about being 46 and going back to school. Their belief in me gave me the courage to dream bigger and reach for opportunities I never thought were possible for someone like me.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would talk to them about the different avenues they could take in this field. Getting certain credentials is really important, especially the Registered Behavior Technician certification, which I held for quite some time. I would advise them to find their niche, whether that's speech therapy, occupational therapy, becoming a board-certified behavior analyst, or becoming a teacher. There are so many different disabilities you can work with and the spectrum is so broad, even in terms of ages. I've personally worked with ages 3 through 92, so there's just so much variety. My biggest suggestion would be to find where they fit in with all of that. Go volunteer in a few different places so you can have the exposure. Try working or volunteering at day camps and in different areas, and then you'll really be able to see where you find yourself. That hands-on experience will help you discover your passion within this field.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me is truly serving the individual and their family. I learned early on that you're not just serving the individual with disabilities, you're serving their family and everyone that is touched by their life. I used to hear far too often, 'well, their parents should do this or that,' but I realized that's not realistic. These families are dealing with challenges 24/7 that they didn't choose, while I get to go home at the end of the day. They might get some parent training, but expecting them to be on all day like we are, using schedules and all these different tools, is just not realistic. It's a high expectation to have of somebody, so we've got to figure out something different. Understanding that perspective and what it really means to serve one of these individuals is crucial. My greatest achievements are helping my clients advocate for the life they want and deserve, helping people achieve their hopes and dreams no matter how that might look. I get more joy from actually helping someone and developing those relationships, really getting to know them and understand what they want and need, than from any award or recognition. I'm also deeply committed to reducing the stigma surrounding community colleges and giving back to that community. I stay involved because I never would have been able to step foot into an Ivy League school if I hadn't gone to community college first. Those community connections are so important, and I make it a priority to be that person for students that maybe I didn't have before I went back to school.