Meet the Team

Please join us in welcoming Ayana Fernandes Pilgrim, MBA, as Eastern University’s new Executive Director of the Center for Career Development.

Ayana brings more than 20 years of experience spanning higher education, corporate talent acquisition, executive coaching, and career development. Throughout her career, she has been deeply passionate about expanding access to opportunity, developing future leaders, and preparing students and professionals for the evolving world of work.

Most recently, Ayana served as Founder and CEO of The Talent Cornerstone Co., where she partnered with organizations on talent strategy and innovation while coaching individuals through career and leadership transformation. She has also served as a Career Development Advisor and instructor in Bard College’s MBA in Sustainability program, teaching Human-Centered Leadership, and is a recognized speaker on the future of work, ethical AI, and human-centered leadership.

Prior to her consulting work, Ayana founded and led Vanguard’s Emerging Talent & Diversity Recruiting Strategy, overseeing a $5.8 million budget and leading a team of more than 20 professionals. Earlier in her career, she served as Assistant Director and Adjunct Faculty at Temple University’s Fox School of Business, where she championed the integration of career readiness throughout the student experience.

Ayana earned her MBA in Human Resource Management and her BA in Government and International Relations from Clark University. She has also completed Harvard Business School’s Summer Venture in Management Program and LEAD Executive Leadership Development Program, and has dedicated her time to serving on nonprofit boards focused on workforce development.

Drawn to Eastern University’s human-centered, Christ-centered mission, Ayana is excited to integrate innovation, faith, and purpose into career education. As an active member of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, she deeply values Eastern’s commitment to preparing students to lead lives of faith, purpose, and service.

Please join us in extending a warm Eastern welcome to Ayana as she begins this exciting new chapter with us. We are thrilled for the leadership, vision, and passion she will bring to the Center for Career Development, and we look forward to the wonderful impact she will have on our students and campus community. 

Amy Ballard (she/her) serves as the Assistant Director for Online Coaching and Programs for the Center for Career Development and an adjunct instructor for the LifeFlex program. Amy loves working alongside students as they discover how their education, experiences, and strengths can intersect in their work and vocation. She is trained as an adult educator and has spent over a decade mentoring and working with learners in community-based programs and colleges. She holds a M.Ed in TESOL and a B.A. in Sociology from Eastern.

Non-traditional students, graduate students, and recent alumni can make appointments for Zoom career coaching with Amy via Handshake (selected evening hours available).

Mackenzie joined CCD in July 2022 as the Administrative Assistant for the Center for Career Development and Office of Faith & Practice. As an early childhood educator and experienced Family Assistant, Mackenzie brought her gifts for administration, logistics, and resourceful budget savvy to CCD and OFP. Over time, another clear talent emerged: employer relations.

Within the last two years, Mackenzie took on leadership of Cookout with Careers, Camp Career Fair, and other CCD employer events. She launched new sponsorship opportunities, growing average sponsorship revenue more than twelvefold. In her new role as CCD’s first-ever Employer Relations Coordinator, Mackenzie will cultivate strategic partnerships that expand opportunities with local, regional, and national organizations. We’re thrilled to see this role grow under her leadership and excited for what’s ahead for CCD’s employer partnerships.

She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Eastern and is currently pursuing her M.P.T. in Practical Theology at Palmer Seminary.

Sarah DerOvanesian is excited to be part of Eastern University’s Career Development Center as an Online Career Coach. With over a decade of experience in counseling and coaching, Sarah has a passion for helping students embrace their strengths and values as they identify and navigate a unique career path that fulfills their sense of purpose. Having earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees online, she has firsthand experience navigating the world of online education. Taking a holistic approach, she values ensuring all students feel seen, encouraged, and connected.