About Us

Linda is the former Assistant Director for Career-Technical Education for the Ohio Department of Education, which includes career pathways, work-based learning (high school internships/apprenticeships) and industry credentials.

She holds a Master’s Degree from The Ohio State University/College of Education and Human Ecology, BA from the Ohio Dominican University in Business Administration, Black Belt in Six-Sigma/Villanova University, OSU certified Facilitator for DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) Job Task Analysis, NCCER certified instructor (University of Florida Certified), Certified as Facilitator & Instructor for Total Quality Management through Ohio University.

She has over 20 years as a Director in Education and Workforce Development through training, grant management, writing business plans, helping companies set and reach measurable goals for a “healthy” bottom line.”

In the past 3 yrs., Linda has been the primary grant writer for two Workforce Development Projects in southeast Ohio – Appalachia – that have been awarded $1 million+ each.

Linda O’Connor is key Workforce Development Specialist & Grants Writer/Project Manager for key Carlisi and Associates (C & A) Programs. Career Connecting Program (CCP) for Young Adults, Aging Out of Foster Care and/or Homeless is a key program planned for “rollout” in Yr. 2024

John Martin is the Founder of “1000 Youth” Program, with a vision of mentoring 100 Young Adults per year (times 10 years) to help them rise above poverty-level lifestyles, through Sales, Marketing, and Entrepreneurism. This new “1000 Youth” initiative focuses on Appalachia Ohio.

John Martin is currently collaborating with Tom Carlisi and Linda O’Connor (C & A Associates) – to include the “1000 Youth” Initiative in the recently awarded $1 million+ Workforce Development Project – Focusing on Manufacturing Industry – in southeast Ohio – Appalachia. Linda O’Connor is the Project Manager.

John is an affiliate with Carlisi and Associates (C & A). John specializes in Entrepreneurship and Leadership development. He will assist in developing the Social Entrepreneurship & online sales catalogue for C & A – featuring mission-related products.

John Martin is Past Director of National Financial Solutions. He is also Past Owner of Optimum Print Companies, a company that grew to $15,000,000.00 USD in annual income.

John’s passion for helping young people has been demonstrated through various Mentor and Sports Coach roles over the past 3 decades.

SHARON L. WARE
Soup From A Stone, LLC
“Building Engagement Strategies for Transformative Communities” 614.561.3256

Sharon Ware, principal of Soup From A Stone, LLC provides an array of services ranging from customized training and consulting packages for community-based and public sector organizations. Her focus has been providing connecting platforms between grassroots and hidden figures of community leaders and services.

She previously served as the assistant director of United Way of Central Ohio Neighborhood Partnership Center, where she oversaw non-profit training, technical assistance and capacity building programs devoted to strengthening neighborhoods. Under her leadership, the Neighborhood Leadership Academy provided training for over 300 community change agents. She was co-founder of the Neighborhood Best Practices Conference that provided neighbors, neighborhood leaders and nonprofits opportunities to share their best collaborative practices.

Sharon has a communication and marketing masters, and certifications in mediation. She has served on the National Self Development of People of the Presbyterian USA Church, and presented to Neighborhood USA conferences. She currently serves as MidEast Area Commissioner, Mid-Ohio Presbyterian Self Development of People committee and ARC Industries, Inc. as board member.

Donte Woods-Spikes, the creator of Empathize With Me is known for his professional speaking, community work, and video documentati on, among other pursuits. He is a TEDx speaker and organizer and is recognized as an official storyteller of the Columbus Makes Art campaign.

He has been requested by the likes of Columbus City Schools, Arts and College Preparatory Academy, Upper Arlington, and Grandview Heights for youth engagement. Donte’s overall goal is to educate and connect the world beyond perception and stereotypes with authentic shared experiences through storytelling and documentation.

His influential voice has been requested by the likes of Pecha Kucha Columbus, Ohio Arts Council Conference, National Charter School Conference, GDEX, and Collegiate Leadership Conference of Ohio. He is recognized as an established storyteller by the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Columbus Makes Art campaign.

Donte will collaborate with Tom Carlisi, C & A, to offer his various Youth Media Arts programs & services.

Visit Donte’s website
https://www.dontewoods-spikes.com/ 

George Kun has been the founder and independent owner of George Kun Travel Inc now for 36 years. We specialize in custom creative Group productions tied to travel & specially produced themed events all over the US & Globally as well.
George was born in Budapest Hungary and brings his flair and passion of traveling and adventuring to all far corners of the world.

Also, George is an 11-year Rotary member. He is Principal Partner of Hope for Peace, LLC, in collaboration with Tom Carlisi (Carlisi and Associates) and Ed Wandtke (Advisor for Carlisi and Associates). We are “in discussions” to develop “Hope for Peace
Retreats & Cruises – which feature cause-related Peace programming. As portion of proceeds will help sponsor Carlisi and Associates Peace Programs – local to global.

Additionally, George Kun helped form Givin Global Goodness (GGG), a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, to support Peace Programs, in collaboration with Carlisi and Associates, and other Peace initiatives – TBD. Both Hope for Peace & GGG entities incorporate George’s desire to help those in need in any creative form of partnerships that opportunities and needs may bring! Large scale projects are welcome.