Learning is for Everyone is managed by a team of energetic volunteers who coordinate everything from our website and social media to our community STEM programs, TEDxYouth@TampaBay and Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire, as well as the ongoing smorgasbord of projects we have underway at any given time. With great pride and appreciation, we ask you to make the acquaintance of our Board of Directors and Program Teams!
Our Board
LI4E chair and founder, Theresa Willingham, has been diversely engaged in professional writing and knowledge management for more than twenty five years. The author of two books on health, and numerous articles across a range of topics from health to education, religion and philosophy, her work focuses on helping empower individuals to live and learn in meaningful, personally fulfilling and socially productive ways. She has worked as lead curator and promoter for TEDxYouth@TampaBay since 2010, and Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire 2012. Her day job is Regional Director for FIRST STEM education programs in Central Florida. Email Terri@LI4E.org to connect.
Steve Willingham , Director of LI4E Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education Programs, is an engineer by trade, with 25 years of experience in Systems Engineering. He has been a key agent of success on a wide variety of government projects for satellite communications, civil aviation, manned space flight, and commercial venues including insurance, financial services, medical technology, and accounting. Steve is also providing service to his community through his role as the Florida Judge Advisor for Florida FIRST Tech Challenge . Email Steve@LI4E.org to connect.
Irv Cohen , LI4E Treasurer, is the Managing Director of Southeast Capital Equity Group LLC, a boutique investment bank and advisory firm, located in Tampa, Florida; and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of DHS Technologies LLC, the leading manufacturer and distributor of high-tech, soft-walled shelter systems. With sales in excess of $200 million, DHS Technologies has increased revenue by significantly under Mr. Cohen’s leadership. Irv Cohen is also President of American International Lifestyles (AIL), Parent company of Apogee Wellness and owner of America’s premier rugby event. The USA Sevens International Rugby Tournament, AIL operates a portfolio of brands for healthy living and employs over 100 people. Mr. Cohen also serves on the Board of Big Brothers and is a big brother himself. An avid education supporter, Mr. Cohen serves on the Board of the Council for Educational Changes, as well as being a Board member of C2 One Fit Labs.
TEDxYouth@TampaBay Team
Deb Kelley is an award winning creative writer and journalist whose work has appeared in a variety of venues. A freelance reporter and guest editor for AOL Patch, Carrollwood and Westchase; a short story author of Damaged Goods: Narrative Unending from Inside My Heart and Mind; the scriptwriter for The Actor’s Clinic; a contributing writer to Gulfport Magazine, Positive Impact Magazine, Winners Within Us and Local Shops1 Magazine, Deb specializes in bringing heart to any story. In 2004, she combined her writing skills with her design creativity to form The WriteOne Creative Services, a successful freelance web design, graphic design, and copywriting company. Earlier this year she was voted one of the top four businesses in Westchase for Customer Service. She has been a part of our TEDxYouth planning team since our inaugural event in 2010.
Debra Campbell is President and Executive Director of Forward Thinking Initiatives. She began her career in economic development. She managed the international division for the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and headed the Asia Department for the Philadelphia Commerce Department before starting her own economic development consulting company. After moving to Tampa 12 years ago, Debra combined her background in economic development with her passion for innovation and founded Forward Thinking Initiatives Inc., a non-profit that teaches entrepreneurship and innovation to teens throughout the Tampa Bay area. She is currently the State Coordinator for the Consortium of Entrepreneurship Education, has chaired the CTE Marketing Committee for the Florida Dept. of Education, and serves on the Advisory Board of Creative Tampa Bay. She is a recipient of Kauffman Platinum Award, the Freedom’s Foundation Leavey Award and has been named a Creative Catalyst by Creative Tampa Bay. Debra is also an artist and teaches art and creative thinking at Hillel Academy of Tampa. She is also part of our Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire planning team.
Matthew Temmer, 15, is a sophomore in the International Baccalaureate program at Land O Lakes High School. A formerly shy student, Matthew found his voice in art, and found that other young people were grateful for an opportunity to be heard, too. Matthew was a speaker at TEDxYouth@TampaBay 2011 and this provided another great opportunity for him to share his voice. He came back to TEDxYouth@TampaBay 2012 as a member of our planning team, and this year’s Emcee. Matthew enjoys spending time with his family, visiting theme parks, and acting. He hopes to one day work in the field of hospitality management, preferably at Disney World.
Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire Team
Coming soon!
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