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 varied 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.

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 20 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. 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.

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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.

As Manager of Workforce Readiness at Effective Leadership Academy, Kaye leads initiatives that prepare students with the leadership, communication, and career readiness skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce. She develops workforce readiness programming, builds partnerships with schools, businesses, chambers of commerce, and community organizations, and creates meaningful learning experiences that connect students with real-world opportunities. Since joining ELA in 2022, Kaye has helped expand Career Leadership Academy programming, develop curriculum, and strengthen community partnerships that support students in discovering their strengths and preparing for their futures. Kaye earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from Marygrove College and her Bachelor of Arts in English and Education from Kent State University. With a background in education, youth development, coaching, and leadership training, she is passionate about helping young people recognize their potential, build confidence, and develop the essential skills needed for lifelong success.

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Kelly Biggar is a passionate advocate for youth development, leadership, and workforce readiness. As Manager of Business Development at Effective Leadership Academy, she builds meaningful partnerships with schools, businesses, and community organizations to create opportunities that prepare young people for future success. With more than a decade of experience in management, entrepreneurship, and business development, Kelly brings a diverse perspective and a strong commitment to empowering others. She is dedicated to helping students build confidence, communication, leadership, and career readiness skills while supporting educators and community partners in creating impactful learning experiences that inspire growth, connection, and lifelong success.

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Jake holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and Communication from Cleveland State University. He brings more than 15 years of experience in education, hospitality, and professional training. Before joining Effective Leadership Academy, he instructed PreK–8th grade classes and extracurricular programs. He served 12 years as Director of Hospitality at Cleveland’s own Kringle’s Inventionasium, a STEM-accredited toy-inventing laboratory providing interactive experiences to families from around the world. As Head of Talent Acquisition at ELA, Jake is passionate about developing people and creating experiential learning to strengthen communication, collaboration, self-awareness, and leadership capacity!

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.

Tanika Jackson is a leadership development professional and facilitator who is passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential. A graduate of Howard University with a professional background in mental health, she combines compassion, practical experience, and innovative teaching methods to help youth and adults develop leadership, communication, resilience, and workforce readiness skills. Through interactive workshops and experiential learning, Tanika equips participants with the confidence and tools they need to overcome challenges, embrace growth, and become effective leaders in their schools, workplaces, and communities.

Gabrielle is a graduate of Kent State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. During her undergraduate years, she spent three years working with underprivileged and underrepresented middle and high school students, developing a passion for the transformative power of support, guidance, and mentorship. Gabrielle has been with Effective Leadership Academy for two years and has truly enjoyed the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. Whether working with 10-year-olds or 60-year-olds, she believes it is never too early or too late to invest in your most valuable asset: yourself. Gabrielle is excited to continue growing and bringing positive energy and meaningful impact to ELA and the communities she serves.

Sophia is a creative individual with a passion for inspiring others to action through visual storytelling and graphic design. A John Carroll University graduate, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a concentration in digital media. Sophia has experience facilitating educational classes about agriculture and has taught groups of children and adults a variety of skills ranging from milking dairy cows to making cheese from scratch. She is currently enjoying ELA’s programming and finds joy in helping students develop their confidence and communication skills. Her favorite part of working at ELA is sharing the stories of the people we serve through social media. Sophia is a freelance journalist and poet who has always been passionate about writing. When she is not at the office or programming, Sophia can usually be found hanging out on the farm with her spoiled horse or hiking nature trails with her beloved beagle mix. A lifelong animal lover, her dream is to one day open a sanctuary for rescued animals.

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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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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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Morgan is a schnoodle with purpose! A perfect example of mindfulness, Morgan reminds us to live every day in the present moment. As ELA’s Chief Pawsitivity Officer, Morgan’s main job is to boost office morale and check in with each team member to ensure that they are remaining both productive and well-balanced. Her sassy schnauzer side and intelligent poodle side make her the best of both worlds wrapped up into one adorable package. Morgan enjoys frolicking around the office and hopes to continue being our beloved mascot for many years to come.

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