Connecting for Kids - Board of Directors

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Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Andrew Mangels, Board President (andrewmangels@connectingforkids.org)

Andrew Mangels has been the Director of Westlake Porter Public Library for the past ten years. Andrew, his wife Christine and three children – Alex, Emma and Sarah - moved to Westlake in 2007 from Kansas City, Missouri. After arriving in Westlake, Andrew has become involved and engaged in many community activities and organizations such as Celebrate Westlake, Kiwanis, Rotary, Citizen’s Advisory Committee to the School Board to name a few. Andrew has served on the Board of Connecting for Kids for four years. As a librarian, one of his proudest professional accomplishments is Porter Public Library's partnership with Connecting for Kids.

Chris Chambers, MEd, OTR/L, Vice President

My passion is working with children. I have been a Pediatric Occupational Therapist for the past 25 years. I treat from a Sensory Integrative, play-based approach which means my "work day" is all about being creative and having fun. The children that I work are exciting and energetic; they keep me hopping and teach me something new every day. I am never bored! I am also blessed to have a wonderful husband and 2 amazing teenagers. We like to be outdoors as much as possible: taking walks, bike rides, hiking, swimming, camping, having campfires and just enjoying our life together. I am so excited to be a part of Connecting for Kids. They do such a wonderful job of helping families meet new friends and find fun community activities, as well as connect with much needed therapy/medical services.

Katy Bryan, PhD, Secretary

Katy Bryan is a special needs financial planner working with Skylight Financial Group. She received her BS in psychology and Neuroscience from Baldwin-Wallace and received her PhD from Kent State University where she studied Psychoneuroimmunology. During her studies, Katy worked with autistic children providing ABA therapy and also conducted basic science research examining the influence of stress on the immune system, learning and PTSD. Katy now works with families who have children or adult loved ones with special needs to build strategies and lifecare planning for their families. Katy continues to work with non-profits to help children find residential housing as they transition into adulthood. She also mentors and serves as the chair for fundraising to help victims of human trafficking in Northeast Ohio. In her free time, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their two boys.

Rebecca Baker, CPA

Rebecca Baker is a Certified Public Accountant. She has a BSBA from The Ohio State University. For more than 10 years, Rebecca served non-profit organizations while working for a global accounting firm. She has served on various non-profit boards of directors and finance committees. She and her husband have two children, a boy and a girl. In her free time she enjoys being with her family, golfing, reading and running!

Meghan Barlow, PhD

Meghan Barlow is a pediatric psychologist with a specialty focus in the assessment and treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders, behavioral concerns, Depression, developmental issues and chronic medical problems. She earned a BA in Psychology from Denison University in 2000 and a PhD in 2006 from Kent State University. She completed a fellowship in pediatric psychology at the Cleveland Clinic. Working closely with colleagues, she developed a program for the primary care pediatricians at the main campus of the Cleveland Clinic whereby parents and pediatricians could have almost immediate and convenient access to a psychological consultation for a concern or question regarding a child or adolescent’s emotions, behavior or development. She was hired as a member of the medical staff to continue this important service. She decided to open Meghan Barlow & Associates in an effort to provide families with timely, private, and convenient access to a variety of psychological services within their community.

Alaka Chandurkar, MD

Dr. Chandurkar has been a general pediatrician on the west side of Cleveland since 1986 and is interested in parent education as well as teaching children importance of healthy body and healthy mind. She and her husband of 45 years, Dr. Sudhakar Chandurkar, have one son, Dr. Rohit Chandurkar, one daughter, Menaka Chandurkar, and three grandchildren.

Tish Henry, MEd

Tish has been in education for 26 years. She received her bachelors degree from Kent State University in Elementary Education. She then went on to get her special education license and her Masters Degree in School Counseling from Cleveland State. Tish has taught at all grade levels in both regular and special education. Currently, she works as a school counselor at Lincoln West High School in Cleveland. Tish lives in Westlake with her husband and two children.

Teri LaGuardia, OTR/L

Teri LaGuardia received her undergraduate degree in psychology as well as her graduate degree in Occupational Therapy from Cleveland State University. She is currently Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, EHOVE/Lorain County Community College. Previously, she was the occupational therapist for Westlake City Schools, working with children in preschool through high school. She currently provides occupational therapy to students who are home-schooled. She has been involved in a research project promoting children’s positive mental health in the school setting. The project is led by Sue Bazyk, professor in the occupational therapy program at Cleveland State University and is funded by the Office of Exceptional Children, Ohio Department of Education. Outside of school, Teri enjoys time with her husband and two college-aged sons.

Greg Lee

Greg Lee obtained his bachelor’s degree from Kent State University. Greg lives in Lakewood with his wife and son. In his free time he enjoys writing and performing original music. Greg is very excited to join the Connecting For Kids board to help support an impactful organization.

Emily Mahoney

Emily currently serves as Director of Reporting and Analytics at Forest City Realty Trust. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has more than 15 years of experience in finance and information technology. Emily holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from John Carroll University and an Emotionally Intelligent Leader Certificate from the Executive Education Program of the Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management. Emily lives in Westlake with her husband, Mike, and their three, small children. In her free time, she enjoys being with her children and hiking in the Cleveland Metroparks with her dog. She will serve on the Connecting for Kids Finance Committee.

Niccole McEwen

Niccole McEwen is a parent of two children.

Bonnie McNee, Esq.

Bonnie is an Associate at BakerHostetler. She holds a Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Sociology from Suffolk University. In the past, Bonnie has worked directly with children in positions at the South Boston Boys and Girls Club, East Boston Head Start (through Jumpstart AmeriCorps), and the Wilton CT YMCA. During law school, Bonnie volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland. She currently resides in Cleveland Heights with boyfriend Brendan and cat Taco. Bonnie enjoys running, hiking, and tennis. She will serve on the Connecting for Kids Small Fundraisers Committee and hopes to reach out to young professionals in the area.

A.J. Miner

A.J. Miner presently serves in the capacity of Division Supply Chain Manager for eight U.S. locations for the Parker Hannifin Corporation. He is a graduate of Cleveland State University where he received his MBA and also from Youngstown State University where he earned his BSBA in International Business. A.J. resides in Rocky River with his wife Stacy who is also actively involved with Connecting for Kids and Autism research. They have two sons together, Colin and Brendan. A.J. is also a certified ski instructor through PSIA and focuses his time on teaching children to ski including children with cognitive disabilities.

Kathy Nash, MEd

Kathy Nash received her undergraduate degree from Ohio University and her graduate degree at Cleveland State University. She started her teaching career in Sugar Grove, Ohio working with children with special needs in 5th-9th grade. Kathy has also worked with children with a variety of needs in the Berne Union City Schools (Grades 1-6) and Elyria City Schools (2nd and 3rd grade, 1st-3rd grade and preschool). For the past 16 years, Kathy has been a teacher in a Center Based Preschool Program at Hilliard Elementary in the Westlake City School System. Kathy was honored as a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar in 2005. When Kathy is not at school she enjoys spending time with family and friends and walking in the Metroparks with her dog.

Corri North

Corri North is the Director of Global Sales Enablement at Hyland Software. She has been with the company since 2003. She received her bachelor's degree in Marketing and Management Information System from Ohio University. Corri lives in Avon Lake with her husband and two children. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is an avid runner and helps coach the St. Raphael cross country team. "I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of Connecting for Kids. It is a wonderful organization that provides such valuable resources and programs for families and for all children," said North.

Kim Riley, Esq.

Kim Riley is an attorney with Montgomery, Rennie & Jonson Co., L.P.A. She has a bachelor’s degree in communication arts and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati. Kim’s practice focuses on employment law, civil rights, and legal ethics. She and her husband, Devlin, are the parents of four children. Their youngest child was one of the first beneficiaries of Connecting For Kids’ programs.

Amy Vavra

Amy Vavra serves on the Fundraiser Committee. She is the Director of Individual & Corporate Giving - Center for Arts-Inspired Learning. Vavra lives in Lakewood with husband, Brian, and twin toddlers, Ada and Evie. She received her bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctorate from the Boston College Law School. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time outside with her family.

Website proudly sponsored by Hyland Software.

Call, text or email:

Phone: 1-440-570-5908
Email: info@connectingforkids.org

Address:

P.O. Box 45372
Westlake, Ohio 44145