Meeting with our Program Trainees (always a fun time)

On October 23, 2025 members of IRI’s executive and senior leadership met with a number of program trainees. The program trainee initiative is designed to develop new college graduates in a number of areas of our agency from benefits management, Human Resources, finance, compliance, program operations, quality assurance, and allied clinical functions (social work, psychology, etc.). Ana Koessler, IRI Chief Administrative Officer, oversees the program and focuses not only on matching trainees’ aptitude with the right professional function, but to make sure the trainees are stretching and being exposed to new experiences that they may not have thought about. Trainees are encouraged to think through their next steps, from graduate school to areas they would like to focus on. The one-year paid program has been very successful and since its inception 5 years ago, 97% of the graduates were retained on a permanent basis at the one-year anniversary. A number of them have been promoted and continue to contribute to the agency’s mission. This working lunch session is done typically at the six-month mark and trainees are encouraged at that time to connect with each other, share their professional experiences, tell management what is working and what is not and to make sure they are getting the opportunity to explore their professional selves. The trainees reported being appreciative of the opportunity to be together and to interact with members of the agency leadership. See you in six months.