Since serving as a LEAD ICU Nurse Manager, Training and Development Lead and Clinical Governance Manager at a hospital within the United Kingdom, Flo has been guided by her education with degrees in Nursing and Leadership Development. She has built a reputation for her work around managing complex cultural change, merger and acquisitions and has driven quality initiatives across large organizations. She has developed and implemented leadership and development programs in many diverse settings from corporate to nonprofit organizations, from board to operational level, university-level teaching, prison environments and teaching within many Pre K – Grade 12 establishments. She became a disruptor in the Leadership Training Agenda having the opportunity to blend her two passions and founded The Effective Leadership Academy in 2008.

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Heather has an education career that spans more than 22 years. With a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in education, she spent the first 10 years of her career teaching middle and high school science in Ohio then, in Los Angeles. After moving back to Ohio, Heather shifted her focus to nonprofit education, leading the charge in developing dynamic school, teacher, and family programs at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History before joining the ELA team as the Senior Director of Business Development. With a passion for supporting students and educators in their journey of personal growth, Heather wholeheartedly embraces Effective Leadership Academy’s mission of helping people develop their most valuable asset – themselves.

With over 17 years of experience in business operations management, human resources, and process optimization, Elisa joins ELA with a proven background in finance, AP/AR, collections and the Human Resource spaces. She earned BA in English from John Carroll University and is currently pursuing a MS degree in Mental Health Counseling. She has a proven background procedural audits, efficient process development, workflows, and policy creation to ensure business goal achievement and best practices. Elisa is passionate about employee relations, team engagement and serves as a strong business operations support to our facilitators and management team.

Melanie has over twenty years’ experience creating and supporting non-profit programs as a teacher, program coordinator and development officer. Her passion is creating sustainable programs that enrich child development. Located in the Washington DC metro area, she is both passionate about the ELA program offerings and looking forward to expanding its reach to new communities.

Kaye earned her Master's in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College and obtained her Bachelors of Arts in English and Education from Kent State University. She has a passion for teenagers, encouraging them to live into their gifts and passions for their success. Kaye taught in the public school system, then followed a calling into youth ministry for 10 years. Next she served for 12 years in church development, consulting and event planning focused on young people. She has written curriculum for teens as well as developed and led numerous trainings for church leaders of all ages. She has done extensive training around generational differences and the impact these have on our institutions. Kaye is a trained coach through the International Coaching Federation. She has spent numerous volunteer hours in her local school system and church community.

Kelly is a passionate advocate for youth development, holding a Bachelor of Science from the University of Vermont. With over a decade of experience in management and entrepreneurship, she has a rich background that spans across industries, including real estate and family businesses. A former team member of the Young Entrepreneur Institute, Kelly is passionate about empowering young people by instilling leadership and entrepreneurial skills. She leverages her expertise to coach and support educators, helping students build critical life skills and confidence for future success.

Jake earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Cleveland State University, focusing on Public Relations and Communication. As Director of Hospitality for 11 years, he helped build Cleveland’s own Kringle’s Inventionasium, a STEM-accredited, toy-inventing laboratory, where they hosted families from all over the world. He also has more than 10 years of experience instructing in classrooms and after-school, extracurricular programs from PreK-8th grade. Jake is dedicated to helping anyone and everyone unlock their potential within and improve their lives in any way possible.

Ariel brings her extensive background of scheduling and office management, including 5 years of customer service experience. She has worked directly under the Chief Compliance Officer at Skylight Financial and held the position of executive assistant to the CEO of Ascent Financial. She is a family portrait photographer and has owned her photography studio The Office Studios going on 3 years. Her future goal is to own a music and art recreation center for youth in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

Rachel earned two bachelor’s degrees in General Education and Integrated Language Arts from Kent State University before obtaining her master's in Curriculum and Lesson Design. She worked in the public school system in Stark County for 7 years before moving on to ELA. During that time, Rachel worked with students of diverse backgrounds and focused heavily on community service. Recognizing that education extends beyond textbooks and exams, Rachel is passionate about imparting essential life skills to students. She firmly believes that a well-rounded education should not only focus on academic subjects but also equip students with the tools they need to succeed in life. Her ability to connect with students on a personal level and create a supportive learning environment has been a hallmark of her teaching approach.

Luke has been working in the education field for the past 10 years.  He began his career in education working with Americorps and Teach for America. He has worked as an elementary teacher in some of Ohio’s largest school districts, and he brings that experience and his passion to the ELA team. During his years in the classroom he saw the need for student leadership training and interpersonal skill development firsthand. He believes that the experiences and training that ELA offers will provide students with the chance to gain skills that will be invaluable in the years ahead. Luke is so excited to help execute the mission of ELA and to help individuals unlock their fullest potential!

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Tanika received her bachelor’s degree from Howard University. She has over 16 years of experience working in the mental health field. Twelve of those years involved providing case management and counseling services to adolescents with a wide variety of mental health diagnosis.  Tanika has a commitment to helping empower the youth to overcome their obstacles by providing them with the tools to improve their mental health.

Joe is originally from England, but grew up on the East side of Cleveland. Joe is currently a student at DePaul University in Chicago, studying political science and education. Joe enjoys running and watching the Premier League (especially his favorite team Arsenal). After High School he spent a year living in Ecuador working for the Ecuatoriano government. After receiving his Bachelors in political science from DePaul University in Chicago, Joe decided to move back to Cleveland and continue the work that his mother, Flo started.

Gabrielle is a recent graduate of Kent State University, receiving a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics. With three years of experience working with underprivileged and underrepresented middle and high school students, she has made a meaningful impact. Gabrielle has had the privilege of working with organizations such as Limitless Ambition and Upward Bound. Throughout her undergraduate studies and various program involvements, she has developed a deep appreciation for the transformative power of student support and guidance. She is thrilled to join the ELA team and looks forward to contributing to the continued success of transforming students' lives.'

Josh, a graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor's in Education, brings a deep passion for teaching and connecting with students to Effective Leadership Academy. His journey includes working with youth at summer camps and church groups, as well as teaching experiences at Akron Public Schools and Northwest High School. Through these experiences, he discovered his passion for leaving a lasting impact on students' lives. Josh aims to impart valuable skills to students in a fun and engaging way, combining his calm demeanor with a passion for teaching students. He loves spending time in nature and exploring national parks. He even likes to watch scary movies before going to bed

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Taryn earned her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Towson University and obtained her Bachelors in Psychology and business from Fordham University. She has a passion for the youth and has served as a mental health therapist and health coach for over 10 years. Taryn performed mental health and community outreach services in the public school system in Maryland, then followed a calling of beginning her own business in the fitness and wellness space. She has written articles, has publications, and conducted studies on the connection between mental and physical health for teens as well as adults. She has done extensive training around children's therapy and play therapy.

With her experience living in several different countries, Lydia joins ELA with a zeal to enhance a learning environment that embraces the beauty of diversity and ignites community through servant leadership. As a professional basketball player and former collegiate athlete, she whole-heartedly believes in the team approach. She earned an undergraduate degree from Radford, as well as a Master’s degree in Leadership from Virginia Tech. Driven by faith and inspired to help the next generation, Lydia hopes to make a positive impact on the mission of ELA.

Alyse joins Effective Leadership Academy with over 20 years of experience nurturing young minds. As a former Director of Montessori school, she believes in the power of potential and strength of leadership. Alyse holds an AA in Humanities and Social Sciences as well as a BA in Human Services and Counseling. She has a high regard for non-profit work and a true passion for mental health and mindfulness. Alyse is grateful to work for a company that aligns with her life's purpose-to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our youth.

Kris is a seasoned educator with over 15 years of dedicated teaching experience. Graduating from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Kris has cultivated a deep passion for nurturing the growth of young minds. She is committed to empowering youth with the essential skills they need to thrive and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

With a passionate belief in the power of education, Kris has actively volunteered with various youth civic organizations, contributing her expertise in event planning and project management. Her dedication to serving young people extends beyond the classroom, as she strives to create opportunities for their holistic development.

As a proud member of the Effective Leadership Academy, Kris is thrilled to continue her mission of inspiring and guiding the next generation. Through her unwavering commitment and expertise, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of fostering leadership and excellence among today's youth.

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Susan started with ELA in its beginning stages. She joined the team in 2010 as the office administrator. Susan is the linchpin behind supplies and equipment organization for programming.