Meet the Team
click photo for bio
Board of Directors
Elizabeth Cohen, Co-President
Beth is the owner of Faux Elegance Interiors. She specializes in designing interior spaces & unique paint finsihes.
Kimberly Corral
Kimberly Kendall Corral has successfully and aggressively defended a wide range of criminal cases from misdemeanors to capital homicide cases. Kim represents clients at all levels of criminal justice advocacy. This includes investigation, indictment, pre-trial motions practice, trial, direct appeals, post-conviction remedies, jurisdictional appeals, habeas corpus, and wrongful conviction litigation.
Being charged and/or convicted of a crime is certainly one of the most stressful times in a client’s life. A successful outcome requires a tailored and nuanced approach for every case. Upholding a client’s constitutional and procedural rights is complex and time-consuming work. Kim believes that productive client relationships are an essential element to a winning strategy. Kim’s noteworthy track-record in the criminal defense field is built on her genuine passion and her zealous work ethic. She is not blind to the injustice that plagues our legal system but takes immense personal pride in her steadfast work to restore her clients’ rights.
As a result of Kim’s notable trial experience, she has been certified by the Supreme Court of Ohio for appointment as Death Penalty Defense Counsel. Kim is staunchly opposed to the death penalty. In a system so fraught with error there is no rational basis to arm that system with the right to kill. In addition to traditional clients, Kimberly has represented police officers, working for the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council. In that capacity, she represents law enforcement officers investigated for or charged in criminal matters. Kim also occasionally partners with the Ohio Innocence Project to work toward the exoneration of wrongfully incarcerated Ohioans.
Kim believes that every good freedom fighter needs to fight aggressively and persistently. Those two qualities are the things people compliment her or criticize her for most- depending what side they’re on. Kim’s aggression and persistence serve her in her personal life as well. She is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a bicyclist (having ridden across the country, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean), a marathon runner, and an artist. She loves to travel and she has two young daughters who can occasionally be heard singing and shouting in the background during client phone calls.
To note a few of Kim’s recent successes; Kim worked to exonerate Ruel Sailor after he spent fifteen years incarcerated for a murder he did not commit. She was invited to speak at the Cleveland Brown’s Social Justice Summit. Kim was invited to the Oval Office to discuss a client’s pardon with the President of the United States and White House Counsel. She was honored as a Rising Star in 2019 by Super Lawyers and she recently collaborated with HBO star Michael K. Williams and a panel of criminal reform advocates to raise money and awareness about juvenile justice.
Being charged and/or convicted of a crime is certainly one of the most stressful times in a client’s life. A successful outcome requires a tailored and nuanced approach for every case. Upholding a client’s constitutional and procedural rights is complex and time-consuming work. Kim believes that productive client relationships are an essential element to a winning strategy. Kim’s noteworthy track-record in the criminal defense field is built on her genuine passion and her zealous work ethic. She is not blind to the injustice that plagues our legal system but takes immense personal pride in her steadfast work to restore her clients’ rights.
As a result of Kim’s notable trial experience, she has been certified by the Supreme Court of Ohio for appointment as Death Penalty Defense Counsel. Kim is staunchly opposed to the death penalty. In a system so fraught with error there is no rational basis to arm that system with the right to kill. In addition to traditional clients, Kimberly has represented police officers, working for the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council. In that capacity, she represents law enforcement officers investigated for or charged in criminal matters. Kim also occasionally partners with the Ohio Innocence Project to work toward the exoneration of wrongfully incarcerated Ohioans.
Kim believes that every good freedom fighter needs to fight aggressively and persistently. Those two qualities are the things people compliment her or criticize her for most- depending what side they’re on. Kim’s aggression and persistence serve her in her personal life as well. She is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a bicyclist (having ridden across the country, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean), a marathon runner, and an artist. She loves to travel and she has two young daughters who can occasionally be heard singing and shouting in the background during client phone calls.
To note a few of Kim’s recent successes; Kim worked to exonerate Ruel Sailor after he spent fifteen years incarcerated for a murder he did not commit. She was invited to speak at the Cleveland Brown’s Social Justice Summit. Kim was invited to the Oval Office to discuss a client’s pardon with the President of the United States and White House Counsel. She was honored as a Rising Star in 2019 by Super Lawyers and she recently collaborated with HBO star Michael K. Williams and a panel of criminal reform advocates to raise money and awareness about juvenile justice.
Carol Roe
Carol A. Roe JD, MSN, RN - Carol obtained an MSN from Case Western Reserve University and a JD from Cleveland State University. She is retired from the Centers for Dialysis Care of Shaker Heights,
Ohio as Director of Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management. Carol's career has encompassed the
roles of staff nurse in both acute and long term care as well nursing administrator and educator.
Additionally, as a lobbyist for the Ohio Nurses Association, she advocated the profession's views to the
Ohio General Assembly. She was one of the architects of legislation which resulted in the recognition of
advanced practice nurses in Ohio. As public affairs consultant for the Ohio Board of Nursing, she advised
the Ohio General Assembly about the impact of legislation on nursing regulation and drafted many of the
first rules related to advanced practice nursing in Ohio. She was the first editor of the Ohio Board of
Nursing's newsletter to licensees. She has published in the areas of nursing law and professional
issues. Her presentations in the renal community have focused on enhancing the safety and quality of
care for patients undergoing dialysis.
Ohio as Director of Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management. Carol's career has encompassed the
roles of staff nurse in both acute and long term care as well nursing administrator and educator.
Additionally, as a lobbyist for the Ohio Nurses Association, she advocated the profession's views to the
Ohio General Assembly. She was one of the architects of legislation which resulted in the recognition of
advanced practice nurses in Ohio. As public affairs consultant for the Ohio Board of Nursing, she advised
the Ohio General Assembly about the impact of legislation on nursing regulation and drafted many of the
first rules related to advanced practice nursing in Ohio. She was the first editor of the Ohio Board of
Nursing's newsletter to licensees. She has published in the areas of nursing law and professional
issues. Her presentations in the renal community have focused on enhancing the safety and quality of
care for patients undergoing dialysis.
Bruce Downie, Treasurer
He is CPA serving primarily small businesses and their owners with finacial services, income tax complience & planning and general business advisory services.
Michelle Bell
Michelle Bell, MBA is a leader, educator and woman of faith. She has an MBA with distinction in Accounting and Project Management. Michelle is highly successful in inspiring excellence from others, and her extensive leadership experience spans several civic and business entities at the local, regional and national levels.
Michelle achieved Senior Manager status with the federal government, IRS, prior to retirement. She has received multiple leadership awards and recognitions including nominations for the prestigious IRS Commissioner’s Award; Manager of the Year; Director’s Choice Award; as well as well Territory of the Year recognition.
Michelle is the founder and CEO of M-PAC Cleveland. M-PAC Cleveland is a non-profit collaboration of individuals and families who are surviving a murder loss new normal and supporters. M-PAC Cleveland is vigilant in prayer and action for justice on all loss of life crimes, ending gun violence and social injustice.
M-PAC Cleveland is a leader in the effort to unite community activists to address the gun violence crisis in Cleveland. To date, over 20 individuals and organizations have connected.
Michelle models servant leadership, and when called upon, she responds, “how can I help.” Her steadfast belief that “knowledge is power” drives her passion for teaching. Currently, she is an adjunct professor at Bryant & Stratton College.
Michelle’s memberships and associations include board member Stop the Pain, Inc.; Together We Rise; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc; Delta Mu Delta, national business honor society; Moms Demand Action; and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).
Michelle’s perspective viewpoint, the glass is half full and her motto, do unto others as would have them do unto you, drives her life’s work.
Michelle achieved Senior Manager status with the federal government, IRS, prior to retirement. She has received multiple leadership awards and recognitions including nominations for the prestigious IRS Commissioner’s Award; Manager of the Year; Director’s Choice Award; as well as well Territory of the Year recognition.
Michelle is the founder and CEO of M-PAC Cleveland. M-PAC Cleveland is a non-profit collaboration of individuals and families who are surviving a murder loss new normal and supporters. M-PAC Cleveland is vigilant in prayer and action for justice on all loss of life crimes, ending gun violence and social injustice.
M-PAC Cleveland is a leader in the effort to unite community activists to address the gun violence crisis in Cleveland. To date, over 20 individuals and organizations have connected.
Michelle models servant leadership, and when called upon, she responds, “how can I help.” Her steadfast belief that “knowledge is power” drives her passion for teaching. Currently, she is an adjunct professor at Bryant & Stratton College.
Michelle’s memberships and associations include board member Stop the Pain, Inc.; Together We Rise; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc; Delta Mu Delta, national business honor society; Moms Demand Action; and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).
Michelle’s perspective viewpoint, the glass is half full and her motto, do unto others as would have them do unto you, drives her life’s work.
Joan Brown Campbell
Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell is an ordained minister in 2 Christian denominations and the American Baptist Church. She is devoted to international peace and justice.
Michael P. Donnelly
Justice Michael P. Donnelly is the 160th justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. He took office in January 2019, following his statewide election in November 2018 to a full term on the Court.
Prior to joining the state Court, Justice Donnelly served as a judge on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division for 14 years. He was elected to the seat in November 2004 and re-elected in 2010 and 2016. In addition, from 2010 to 2017, he was one of five judges on Cuyahoga County’s Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Court, which oversees criminal cases involving defendants who suffer from severe mental illness or developmental disabilities.
Before serving as a member of the local judiciary, Justice Donnelly was an assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor from 1992 until 1997. He then went on to practice civil litigation for seven years, first practicing at an insurance-defense firm, and later joining a firm where he represented injured workers and other plaintiffs in asbestos litigation, personal injury lawsuits, and workers’ compensation claims.
Justice Donnelly served on the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism from 2007 to 2012 and chaired the Commission during his final year. During his tenure on the Commission on Professionalism, he helped establish the highly successful Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program, which has received national accolades. He also spent more than a decade personally mentoring new lawyers.
In 2011, Justice Donnelly was one of two Ohio judges invited to participate in a two-year program created by the National Judicial College as part of their “Innovative Leadership Skills for Leader-Manager Judges Project,” which aimed to empower future judicial leaders across the United States to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system.
Justice Donnelly has also been a faculty member of the Ohio Judicial College, teaching both attorneys and judges at numerous continuing-legal-education seminars on professionalism and issues of criminal and civil justice reform and procedural fairness.
Justice Donnelly has served as a member of both the Ohio State Board of Bar Examiners and the Ohio Jury Instruction Committee. He was appointed by the chief justice to the Ohio Supreme Court Death Penalty Task Force in 2013, and he currently serves as the Ohio Supreme Court’s liaison to the Task Force on Conviction Integrity and Post-Conviction review.
Justice Donnelly is a proud recipient of the 2015 Honorable William K. Thomas Professionalism Award from the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the 2017 Public Service Award from the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, and the 2020 Alumni of the Year Award from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. He was inducted into Cleveland Marshall College of Law Hall of Fame in 2020.
Justice Donnelly serves on the board of the Cleveland Baseball Federation, which provides baseball and softball summer programs at no charge to children living in lower-income areas of Cleveland and East Cleveland. He also was involved with the development of the Western Reserve Fire Museum, which educates children about fire safety.
He is a graduate of Cleveland’s St. Ignatius High School and John Carroll University, and he received his Juris Doctor degree from Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He was admitted to the practice of law in Ohio in 1992.
He and his wife, Nancy, reside in Cleveland Heights. They have two children.
Prior to joining the state Court, Justice Donnelly served as a judge on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division for 14 years. He was elected to the seat in November 2004 and re-elected in 2010 and 2016. In addition, from 2010 to 2017, he was one of five judges on Cuyahoga County’s Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Court, which oversees criminal cases involving defendants who suffer from severe mental illness or developmental disabilities.
Before serving as a member of the local judiciary, Justice Donnelly was an assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor from 1992 until 1997. He then went on to practice civil litigation for seven years, first practicing at an insurance-defense firm, and later joining a firm where he represented injured workers and other plaintiffs in asbestos litigation, personal injury lawsuits, and workers’ compensation claims.
Justice Donnelly served on the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism from 2007 to 2012 and chaired the Commission during his final year. During his tenure on the Commission on Professionalism, he helped establish the highly successful Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program, which has received national accolades. He also spent more than a decade personally mentoring new lawyers.
In 2011, Justice Donnelly was one of two Ohio judges invited to participate in a two-year program created by the National Judicial College as part of their “Innovative Leadership Skills for Leader-Manager Judges Project,” which aimed to empower future judicial leaders across the United States to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system.
Justice Donnelly has also been a faculty member of the Ohio Judicial College, teaching both attorneys and judges at numerous continuing-legal-education seminars on professionalism and issues of criminal and civil justice reform and procedural fairness.
Justice Donnelly has served as a member of both the Ohio State Board of Bar Examiners and the Ohio Jury Instruction Committee. He was appointed by the chief justice to the Ohio Supreme Court Death Penalty Task Force in 2013, and he currently serves as the Ohio Supreme Court’s liaison to the Task Force on Conviction Integrity and Post-Conviction review.
Justice Donnelly is a proud recipient of the 2015 Honorable William K. Thomas Professionalism Award from the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the 2017 Public Service Award from the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, and the 2020 Alumni of the Year Award from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. He was inducted into Cleveland Marshall College of Law Hall of Fame in 2020.
Justice Donnelly serves on the board of the Cleveland Baseball Federation, which provides baseball and softball summer programs at no charge to children living in lower-income areas of Cleveland and East Cleveland. He also was involved with the development of the Western Reserve Fire Museum, which educates children about fire safety.
He is a graduate of Cleveland’s St. Ignatius High School and John Carroll University, and he received his Juris Doctor degree from Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He was admitted to the practice of law in Ohio in 1992.
He and his wife, Nancy, reside in Cleveland Heights. They have two children.
Dwight Milko
He is CEO & owner of RE/MAX Traditions located in Beachwood, Chagrin Falls, Chardon, Mentor, and Streetsboro. He also is COO & co-owner of MOTTO Mortgage NEO.
Sharena Zayed
On the morning of March 30th 2020 Sharena’s dear son lost his life to senseless gun violence. Her son Amir Bradley was only 15 years old. She was devastated to say the least. Sharena’s strength and perseverance shined through after the tragedy as she channeled her feelings of grief and made it her mission to serve others in his memory. Preventing further violence, improving quality of life and spreading knowledge was been her mission since. Sharena began her journey of healing by helping other mothers, networking, coordinating events, program development, providing community outreach and advocacy.
She was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio where she currently resides. Sharena has worked in the health care as well as the mental health community, within various roles for the past 15 years, being a Qualified Behavior Health Specialist for the past 5 years. This experience helped her develop a strong sense of devotion to service in her community. Losing Amir gave her passion, making the work personal. Sharena appreciates the opportunity she has been given to improve our neighborhood, and to help kids like Amir live safe healthy lives in the city she loves. It’s her highest belief that art, education and civic engagement are key factors in strengthening our communities. Sharena spends most of her time socializing with friends, having fun with her surviving 2 teenage children, staying active biking, walking and having the occasional TV show binge.
She was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio where she currently resides. Sharena has worked in the health care as well as the mental health community, within various roles for the past 15 years, being a Qualified Behavior Health Specialist for the past 5 years. This experience helped her develop a strong sense of devotion to service in her community. Losing Amir gave her passion, making the work personal. Sharena appreciates the opportunity she has been given to improve our neighborhood, and to help kids like Amir live safe healthy lives in the city she loves. It’s her highest belief that art, education and civic engagement are key factors in strengthening our communities. Sharena spends most of her time socializing with friends, having fun with her surviving 2 teenage children, staying active biking, walking and having the occasional TV show binge.
President's Club
Terry Gilbert
Terry Gilbert has been in private law practice since 1973, focusing on
criminal defense and civil rights litigation. At the start of his legal career,
Gilbert represented American Indians in the aftermath of the Wounded
Knee confrontation in South Dakota, and numerous anti-war and civil
rights activists. Over the years, Gilbert has handled a variety of
government misconduct cases involving police abuse, wrongful conviction,
violations of free speech, prisoners’ rights, and victims of all forms of
discrimination. His defense of civil liberties has often put him at odds with
authorities and made him the target of op-eds and editorial cartoonists. At
the same time, he has written many op-eds himself, and used the media
to make his case for justice directly to the people. Gilbert lives with his
wife Robin in a Cleveland suburb and has two adult children: Benjamin, a
molecular biologist, and Julian, a law student.
criminal defense and civil rights litigation. At the start of his legal career,
Gilbert represented American Indians in the aftermath of the Wounded
Knee confrontation in South Dakota, and numerous anti-war and civil
rights activists. Over the years, Gilbert has handled a variety of
government misconduct cases involving police abuse, wrongful conviction,
violations of free speech, prisoners’ rights, and victims of all forms of
discrimination. His defense of civil liberties has often put him at odds with
authorities and made him the target of op-eds and editorial cartoonists. At
the same time, he has written many op-eds himself, and used the media
to make his case for justice directly to the people. Gilbert lives with his
wife Robin in a Cleveland suburb and has two adult children: Benjamin, a
molecular biologist, and Julian, a law student.
Peter Lawson Jones
Peter Lawson Jones is an attorney, business consultant, professional actor and master of
ceremonies, dramatist and former elected official.
From February 2002, through December 2010, Jones, a graduate of Harvard College (magna
cum laude in Government) and Harvard Law School, was a member of the Board of Cuyahoga
County Commissioners, and its president for three of those years. He previously served two and
one-half terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, where he was the ranking member of the
House Finance and Appropriations Committee and second vice president of the Ohio Legislative
Black Caucus. Jones was formerly the Vice Mayor and a Councilman in the City of Shaker
Heights, Ohio.
Jones is the executive producer of Fatherhood 101 a documentary on the critical importance of
responsible fatherhood. He is a consultant in the areas of government relations, community
engagement, event planning, fundraising, market development and fatherhood programming.
Jones, a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actor’s Equity as well as an acting instructor, has
appeared in well over twenty films (A Man Called Otto, White Boy Rick, Alex Cross, The
Assassin’s Code, Starve), on network television (NBC’s Chicago Fire and ABC’s Detroit 1-8-7),
on stages throughout Northeast Ohio. He received the 2016 Indie Gathering International Film
Festival Best Ohio Supporting Actor Award for his work in How to Change the World. Jones’s
drama, The Family Line, has been successfully produced at Karamu House, Harvard University
and Ohio University. His second play, The Bloodless Jungle, has enjoyed two full productions at
Ensemble Theatre in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Land of Cleve, an arts and culture blog, ranked
the second production as one of the best in Northeast Ohio in 2017. The play has enjoyed staged
readings at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Dallas Convention Center, the
National Black Theatre Festival, Duquesne University and in Harlem. His most recent work,
The Phoenix Society, enjoyed a successful premiere at Playwrights Local in Cleveland earlier
this year. The drama was commissioned by the Life Exchange Center, a Cleveland nonprofit
that assists those in recovery from mental health and substance abuse challenges.
Jones and his spouse Lisa are the proud parents of three children: Ryan Charles, Leah Danielle
and Evan Cooke.
ceremonies, dramatist and former elected official.
From February 2002, through December 2010, Jones, a graduate of Harvard College (magna
cum laude in Government) and Harvard Law School, was a member of the Board of Cuyahoga
County Commissioners, and its president for three of those years. He previously served two and
one-half terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, where he was the ranking member of the
House Finance and Appropriations Committee and second vice president of the Ohio Legislative
Black Caucus. Jones was formerly the Vice Mayor and a Councilman in the City of Shaker
Heights, Ohio.
Jones is the executive producer of Fatherhood 101 a documentary on the critical importance of
responsible fatherhood. He is a consultant in the areas of government relations, community
engagement, event planning, fundraising, market development and fatherhood programming.
Jones, a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actor’s Equity as well as an acting instructor, has
appeared in well over twenty films (A Man Called Otto, White Boy Rick, Alex Cross, The
Assassin’s Code, Starve), on network television (NBC’s Chicago Fire and ABC’s Detroit 1-8-7),
on stages throughout Northeast Ohio. He received the 2016 Indie Gathering International Film
Festival Best Ohio Supporting Actor Award for his work in How to Change the World. Jones’s
drama, The Family Line, has been successfully produced at Karamu House, Harvard University
and Ohio University. His second play, The Bloodless Jungle, has enjoyed two full productions at
Ensemble Theatre in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Land of Cleve, an arts and culture blog, ranked
the second production as one of the best in Northeast Ohio in 2017. The play has enjoyed staged
readings at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Dallas Convention Center, the
National Black Theatre Festival, Duquesne University and in Harlem. His most recent work,
The Phoenix Society, enjoyed a successful premiere at Playwrights Local in Cleveland earlier
this year. The drama was commissioned by the Life Exchange Center, a Cleveland nonprofit
that assists those in recovery from mental health and substance abuse challenges.
Jones and his spouse Lisa are the proud parents of three children: Ryan Charles, Leah Danielle
and Evan Cooke.
Advisory BOARD
Lauren Calig
Lauren Calig, Laurel School’s Director of Multicultural Curriculum and Co-Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, holds a graduate certificate in Diversity, Social Justice, and Inclusion from the University of Colorado’s Matrix Center and a Master’s Degree in Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh. She has published articles in DiversityIS, Independent School Magazine, Your Child, and WellSchooled and was a contributing author in Teaching Beautiful Brilliant Black Girls (Corwin Publishing, 2021). Lauren has presented at The White Privilege Conference, National Association of Independent Schools, and the National Coalition of Girls' Schools. She is a facilitator for discussions about diversity, equity, inclusion, parenting, and race. At Laurel School, she has the honor of writing curriculum and working in all areas of the school with students, faculty, parents, staff, and the Board.
Marla Berg
Marla Berg, soprano, is a versatile performer, appearing in recital, concert, opera and musical theater. In concert she has appeared with The Cleveland Orchestra, the American Composers Orchestra in her Carnegie Hall debut, the Denver Chamber Symphony, the Rockford Symphony and the Ohio Chamber Orchestra. Ms. Berg is the Director of the Kent State Opera Program. She also is currently Associate Professor of Voice and Director of the Opera Program at Kent State University.
Patricia Haynish
Patricia is a former Music Department Chairperson as well as a General/Vocal Music Teacher for Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools. She is currently a Musical Theatre Director for Chagrin Community Education and other theatre groups.
Dr. Daniela Jauk
Daniela Jauk, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor for Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Akron, Ohio. She received a Masters in Sociology from the University of Graz in her home country Austria after working in feminist social work and being elected Independent Women Representative of the City Council of Graz, Austria. She completed her doctoral work in Sociology as a Fulbright student at the University of Akron/OH in 2013, specializing in Qualitative Research Methodologies and Sociology of Deviance and Gender Studies with a dissertation on the social construction of gender equality policy in the United Nations.
She fell in love not only with Akron, but also with the father of her wild and wonderful daughter Amani (7) and has returned to the area permanently in 2017 to live with her family after holding a position as assistant professor at the University of Graz, Austria from 2015 to 2017. Her entry into criminal justice work was the work as research specialist for Oriana House Inc. where she gained in depth experience with corrections research, mixed methods research projects, and grant writing. She helped establish a pilot project for women to introduce and assess the potential of horticultural therapy in community corrections and continues research in this area.
Daniela is passionate faculty mentor of the Ohio Innocence Project student organization she initiated at the University of Akron campus and intrigued by the power of art in fostering social justice and an inclusive, sustainable, and open society for all sentient beings.
She fell in love not only with Akron, but also with the father of her wild and wonderful daughter Amani (7) and has returned to the area permanently in 2017 to live with her family after holding a position as assistant professor at the University of Graz, Austria from 2015 to 2017. Her entry into criminal justice work was the work as research specialist for Oriana House Inc. where she gained in depth experience with corrections research, mixed methods research projects, and grant writing. She helped establish a pilot project for women to introduce and assess the potential of horticultural therapy in community corrections and continues research in this area.
Daniela is passionate faculty mentor of the Ohio Innocence Project student organization she initiated at the University of Akron campus and intrigued by the power of art in fostering social justice and an inclusive, sustainable, and open society for all sentient beings.
Dr. Sara Schiavoni
Julia Shonberg
Julia (she/her/hers) is a NY based actor, theatre artist and facilitator originally from Pepper Pike, Ohio. She graduated from Boston University's School of Theatre with a BFA in Theatre Arts, studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and has trained with Double Edge Theatre Company in physical theatre. Over the past decade, Julia has trained and worked with The Boston Center for American Performance, New Repertory Theatre, The Barrow Group, Houses on the Moon, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, SPACE on Ryder Farm, Superhero Clubhouse, Current Harbor, Writopia Lab, River’s Edge Theatre Co. and Columbia Stages. Julia is a Core Company Member and Founder of The Neighborhood Theatre Project, a theatre company creating original, verbatim theatre through a process rooted in interviews and conversations. Currently, Julia is working toward her MA in Applied Theatre at CUNY School of Professional Studies. juliaschonberg.com | theneighborhoodtheatreproject.org
Barrick Stees
He is the Assistant Principal Bassoonist of the Cleveland Orchestra and Instructor of Bassoon at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Kent/Blossom Music. Stees received a bachelor's degree and performer’s certificate from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with K. David Van Hoesen.
He has concertized extensively in Europe, South America and Asia, including a solo tour of Hong Kong and China. He has appeared at international music festivals in Italy, Germany, Argentina, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. He has given recitals throughout the United States. Solo appearances include performances with the Hartford Symphony, the South Bend Symphony, the Brevard Music Center Orchestra and the Cass City Bach Festival.
Awarded the Presidential Scholar Teacher Recognition Award from the United States Secretary of Education, he has taught at Michigan State University, the Interlochen Arts Camp, the Interlochen Arts Academy, the Brevard Music Center and the University of Akron. His former students occupy prominent positions in orchestras and universities throughout the United States.
He was previously Principal Bassoonist with the Hartford Symphony and has played with the Pittsburgh and Detroit Symphony Orchestras as well as the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has recorded three solo CDs, The Romantic Bassoon, Opera Transcriptions and Paraphrases, and Nostalgica. His website, www.steesbassoon.com, and blog, BarryBlogs, contain a wealth of information for bassoonists.
Barry is a member of the Federated Church in Chagrin Falls, OH. He is a leader of the church's Social Justice Advocacy Ministry. Certified as a trained facilitator in the UCC's Sacred Conversations to End Racism, he facilitates engaging and challenging discussions on Restorative Racial Justice with many groups.
He has concertized extensively in Europe, South America and Asia, including a solo tour of Hong Kong and China. He has appeared at international music festivals in Italy, Germany, Argentina, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. He has given recitals throughout the United States. Solo appearances include performances with the Hartford Symphony, the South Bend Symphony, the Brevard Music Center Orchestra and the Cass City Bach Festival.
Awarded the Presidential Scholar Teacher Recognition Award from the United States Secretary of Education, he has taught at Michigan State University, the Interlochen Arts Camp, the Interlochen Arts Academy, the Brevard Music Center and the University of Akron. His former students occupy prominent positions in orchestras and universities throughout the United States.
He was previously Principal Bassoonist with the Hartford Symphony and has played with the Pittsburgh and Detroit Symphony Orchestras as well as the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has recorded three solo CDs, The Romantic Bassoon, Opera Transcriptions and Paraphrases, and Nostalgica. His website, www.steesbassoon.com, and blog, BarryBlogs, contain a wealth of information for bassoonists.
Barry is a member of the Federated Church in Chagrin Falls, OH. He is a leader of the church's Social Justice Advocacy Ministry. Certified as a trained facilitator in the UCC's Sacred Conversations to End Racism, he facilitates engaging and challenging discussions on Restorative Racial Justice with many groups.
Raymond Towler
Raymond Towler is a Artist and Musician, self taught. A Exoneree since May, 2010. Advocate of Freedom and Peace. Band Leader of The Exoneree Band and The Lydian Jazz Band. President of X-Freedom Housing Group.
Honorary Board members
Larry Blaustein
Larry is a retired product inventor living in Chagrin Falls.
Jeanette Grasselli Brown
She is retired Director of Corporate Research at BPAmerica. She also served/chaired on Ohio Board of Regents. She serves on the boards of Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Water Alliance, and more.
Jeffrey Grover
Jeff was a resident of the Chagrin Valley area for a number of years. His older children attended Orange Schools, and his younger children attended West Geauga Schools. While Jeff lives primarily in New York City, he still maintains close ties to the Greater Cleveland community, and is particularly pleased to renew his ties with Chagrin Arts and an Honorary Board Member.
Jeff served as a member of the Chagrin Arts Board for several years, chairing what was known as the Arts Roundtable. This coincided with his tenure as Board President of the Fairmount Center for the Arts.
Jeff was a co-owner and Executive Vice President of the National Paper and Packaging Company, which was purchased by SupplyONE in 1999. This enabled him to go into private consulting, focused on privately held business and generational change. And in particular, renewed his ability to focus on his work in the performing arts on a full-time basis.
Jeff has worked as a professional actor for over two decades, an active member of Actors Equity and SAG-AFTRA, the professional guilds representing professional actors in the theater, film, television and commercial industry. He also has produced several short films along with his partners at g2h films, focused on socially relevant issues and social change.
He has had a particular skill in producing, and often creating collaborative artistic work from the film and theatrical mediums with organizations whose focus is on a specific area of service or cause. These have included collaborations with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, HRC, Cleveland Play House, Recovery Resources, Cleveland Center for Eating Disorders, The Temple-Tifereth Israel, among many others.
Jeff has been in over 40 films, with a particular interest in areas of social justice, human rights advocacy, sexual and gender equality, racial equity, above all focused on enabling greater empathy and understanding among people from all walks of life. Recent and noteworthy feature films include "Dark Waters," "Cherry," "Two Cents From a Pariah," "Compliance," "Take Shelter," among others. He has worked in most Cleveland area theaters, including the Cleveland Play House, Great Lakes Theater, Beck Center, Cleveland Public Theater, Dobama, Ensemble Theater, Halle/JCC, and nonetoofragile.
He has served as a board member or officer on several non-profit and for profit boards, including Bellefaire/Jewish Children's Bureau, Jewish Family Service Association, Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Cleveland Play House, Dobama, HELP-Six Chimneys, Fairmount Center, Chagrin Arts, Medical Service Companies, National Paper Trade Association, among others.
Jeff is the father of four, grandfather of two, and has a love of animals of all stripes and colors.
Jeff served as a member of the Chagrin Arts Board for several years, chairing what was known as the Arts Roundtable. This coincided with his tenure as Board President of the Fairmount Center for the Arts.
Jeff was a co-owner and Executive Vice President of the National Paper and Packaging Company, which was purchased by SupplyONE in 1999. This enabled him to go into private consulting, focused on privately held business and generational change. And in particular, renewed his ability to focus on his work in the performing arts on a full-time basis.
Jeff has worked as a professional actor for over two decades, an active member of Actors Equity and SAG-AFTRA, the professional guilds representing professional actors in the theater, film, television and commercial industry. He also has produced several short films along with his partners at g2h films, focused on socially relevant issues and social change.
He has had a particular skill in producing, and often creating collaborative artistic work from the film and theatrical mediums with organizations whose focus is on a specific area of service or cause. These have included collaborations with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, HRC, Cleveland Play House, Recovery Resources, Cleveland Center for Eating Disorders, The Temple-Tifereth Israel, among many others.
Jeff has been in over 40 films, with a particular interest in areas of social justice, human rights advocacy, sexual and gender equality, racial equity, above all focused on enabling greater empathy and understanding among people from all walks of life. Recent and noteworthy feature films include "Dark Waters," "Cherry," "Two Cents From a Pariah," "Compliance," "Take Shelter," among others. He has worked in most Cleveland area theaters, including the Cleveland Play House, Great Lakes Theater, Beck Center, Cleveland Public Theater, Dobama, Ensemble Theater, Halle/JCC, and nonetoofragile.
He has served as a board member or officer on several non-profit and for profit boards, including Bellefaire/Jewish Children's Bureau, Jewish Family Service Association, Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Cleveland Play House, Dobama, HELP-Six Chimneys, Fairmount Center, Chagrin Arts, Medical Service Companies, National Paper Trade Association, among others.
Jeff is the father of four, grandfather of two, and has a love of animals of all stripes and colors.
Robert Halliday
Christian Hunter
Vince Menti
Vince is the owner of Family Learning Center for Music and NorthEast Ohio Band Instrument Repair in Twinsburg, OH.
Tom Neff
Liz O'Neil
Ann Singer
Philip A. Wenk
Philip is Co-Founder & Trustee of Wenk Foundation in Cleveland, OH.
Stephen Thomas
Steve is the founder of Chagrin Arts and a Chagrin Falls attorney who divides his practice between negligence, business litigation, transactional buisness, and estate planning.
STAFF
Karen Prasser, Executive Director
Karen is both a musician and arts administrator. She is the Executive Director of Chagrin Arts and also a collaborative pianist at Kent State University – The Hugh A. Glauser School of Music. In addition, Karen is the music director at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Solon, Ohio, a position she has held for 11 years. Her extensive experience in arts administration and management includes serving as Executive Director of Summit Choral Society, Solon Center for the Arts and The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, and marketing director at Cleveland Ballet, Great Lakes Theatre Festival and the Wheeling Symphony. However, Karen is first and foremost a musician. She has served as pianist and conductor for opera and ballet companies including Michigan Opera Theater, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Fort Worth Opera, Dallas Opera, Western Opera Theatre, Lake George Opera Festival, Artpark, Orlando Opera Company, Augusta Opera, New Orleans Opera, Skylight Comic Opera, Richmond Ballet and the Edinburgh International Music Festival. Karen earned her Master of Music in piano accompanying from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and her Bachelor of Music in both piano and voice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
McKayla Ferguson, Social Media and Website Coordinator
McKayla Ferguson, mezzo-soprano, is trained as a classical vocal artist. Receiving her Bachelor of Music at Kent State University, she has been featured onstage in operatic, solo, and choral stage work. McKayla is a vocal and piano instructor at Harmonize Studios in Talmadge, Ohio. Additionally, She serves as an alto section leader at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Akron, Ohio.
Emily Olesinski, Special Projects & Video Specialist
Emily is owner of Emily O. Studios in Northfield, OH.