The VGS Team

Susie M. Barragate – President & Chief Executive Officer

Susie was appointed as the President & CEO of VGS in September of 2018. Susie has served with VGS for more than 22 years. She joined Vocational Guidance Services in 1996 as the Human Resources Coordinator and in 1999 became the agency’s Human Resources Director. In 2012, Susie was asked to take responsibility for the vocational rehabilitation services at VGS’ Elyria facility in addition to her supervision of VGS’ HR and Intake Departments. In 2014 Susie became  Vice President of Human Resources and Lorain County Rehabilitation Services. In addition to processing payroll for four distinct corporations and over 1,000 employees, under Susie’s leadership VGS’ Human Resources Department is responsible for guiding and directing agency personnel policies and practices. The Intake department manages all the open and closed case files for program participants and processes referral for services to participants. The Lorain County Rehabilitation Services includes a program with the Lorain County Department of Jobs and Family Services, as well as Placement Services, Clerical Training, and Work Adjustment. Susie graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Personnel and Industrial relations. In 2013 Susie was awarded the Innovation Award for Strategic Alignment by ERC and CSHRM’s HR Awards, and was named as an Archer Award finalist for HR Executive of the Year by Crain’s Cleveland Business in 2014. She is a graduate of the Cleveland Leadership Center’s Bridge Builders Class of 2013.

Laura M. Lamb – Chief Operating Officer

Laura joined VGS as Vocational Evaluator & Benefits Analysis in 1998. She was promoted to Manager of Work Evaluation in 2001, adding Training Services to her responsibilities in 2003. Laura became the Division Director of Vocational Preparation Services in 2006, and Vice President of Vocational Preparation in 2014. In this role, Laura oversaw Work Evaluation, GED instruction, Work Adjustment, Occupational Skills Training, Job Coaching, and Developmental Services. She also provides oversight to the VRP3 Pathways Project for VGS as well as the rehabilitation programs at VGS’ Cleveland West, Columbus, and Painesville facilities. In 2019, Laura was named COO. Laura’s participation is integral to VGS’ CARF Accreditation Preparation Task Force and the agency’s overall Outcome Measurements. Laura chairs the agency’s Health & Safety Task Force and is the Acting School Director for VGS’ accreditation for the State Board of Career Colleges and Schools. She graduated from Heidelberg College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology & English. Laura is a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, an active Board Member of the Ohio Rehabilitation Association, and also serves on the board of the local chapter of the NorthEast Ohio Rehabilitation Association. She is a graduate of the Cleveland Leadership Center’s Bridge Builders Class of 2015.

April Walker – Chief Development Officer

April joined VGS as Director of Development in August 2019 and was promoted to Chief Development Officer in December 2019. In her role, she is tasked with leading the agency’s fundraising efforts, enhancing donor engagement, and overseeing board development, strategic planning, marketing, and public relations. April come to VGS with eight years of development and fundraising experience, including roles at the American Heart Association and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, and brings a high level of communication and project management skills to her work. Prior to joining VGS, April was an Executive Director at CCS Fundraising, a strategic fundraising and consulting firm. Responsible for managing VGS’ $10 million ACHIEVE Campaign, April worked closely with the VGS Board of Directors to raise $3 million for facility repairs, programs, and the endowment in 18 months. Prior to her consultative work with CCS Fundraising, April provided grantmaking services to individual donor and family foundation clients in Illinois and Michigan. She managed a portfolio of grants across multiple sectors, implemented business development strategies, managed grant programs in workforce development and early childhood development, and coordinated research studies and assessments. April holds an MA in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago and a BA in Sociology from the George Washington University. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Greater Cleveland Chapter.