Katie has served Believe in Dreams since its inception in 2014, first volunteering as a Program Developer and Dream Coordinator, and then in 2017, Katie was hired as the Executive Director. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University and is a Licensed Independent Social Worker. She also has a Bachelor of Arts in Child & Family Studies from The Ohio State University. Katie has worked with children and families for over 24 years. She began her career in early childhood education and then spent 18 years in child mental health working as a School Based Clinical Therapist and then a Clinical and Program Supervisor in the School Based Counseling program at Bellefaire JCB. Her focus is in Human Development, Child Mental Health and Child Advocacy.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Logan is a passionate nonprofit leader with a deep commitment to expanding opportunities for youth who have faced adversity. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education- Integrated Language Arts from Ohio University. As the Director of Development at Believe in Dreams, she leverages her experience in fundraising, donor engagement, and strategic partnerships to drive the organization’s mission forward. Prior to joining Believe in Dreams, she served as the Director of Programs and Partnerships at Can’d Aid, where she played a key role in scaling nationwide initiatives and establishing corporate support. Motivated by her belief in the power of mentorship and community support, Logan is dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunities and resources to reach their full potential. She is excited to build meaningful connections with supporters and champions of Believe in Dreams to expand its impact.
DREAM PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Kristen was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio before moving to Cleveland for graduate school. Kristen has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Cleveland State University and is a Licensed Individual Social Worker. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Youngstown State University. Kristen has worked in the social work field for over 13 years in a variety of settings in social work. Before becoming part of the team at Believe in Dreams, she was a School Based Therapist for 9 years at Beech Brook. She currently resides in Brooklyn Heights with her husband, daughter and two amazing rescue dogs, Honey and Willow. Kristen is most looking forward to helping kids build a stronger relationship with their communities and helping them realize that all of their dreams are possible.
DREAM COORDINATOR
Sarah has worked as a social worker for ten years. Born and raised in Cleveland, Sarah went to college in Minnesota, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She came back to her hometown to attend The Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, where she received her Master’s Degree in Social Work. She is dedicated to serving the community that helped shape her into the person she is today, and loves living and working in Cleveland. Before working at Believe in Dreams, Sarah was a school social worker at Campus International K-8 School in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District for five years, and was the Wraparound Coordinator at Case Elementary, also in CMSD. With extensive knowledge of the community, Sarah has a wide network of colleagues and resources that she loves to interact with to make kids Dreams a reality. Sarah is excited to connect with the kids and families to build relationships with people, and to continue to promote growth and resilience in the young people living in Northeast Ohio. Sarah lives in the Cleveland area with her husband and two children. She enjoys cooking, traveling, spending time with her family, and reading.
DREAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST
SPONSORSHIPS & EVENTS COORDINATOR
DATA ANALYSIS VOLUNTEER
Nicole, formerly our Dream Fulfillment Supervisor has moved into a volunteer role for the organization coordinating impact and demographic data collection and analysis. Originally from the Chicago area, Nicole graduated from CWRU Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences with an MSSA in 2019. She also has a BS in Psychology from Slippery Rock University. While there, she was a research assistant where she learned many of the valuable skills she is applying to impact research for Believe in Dreams.
DREAM COORDINATOR INTERN
CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERISTY
Alyssa, originally from Sandusky, Ohio, is a Senior Managerial Marketing major at Kent State
University. She loves exploring new ideas and challenges, always eager to learn to grow. Alys
Judith is a senior at Cleveland State University, working on completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She is excited to explore the field, grow as an individual, and learning from those around her. Judith is committed to the mission of Believe in Dreams, believing that inspiring hope within the community is the strongest way to work towards positive change for everyone. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, and exploring local parks. Judith is dedicated to strengthening the community by empowering the youth and, in turn, creating a brighter future.
BOARD CHAIR
Rob Platt has lived in Cleveland for 52 years. He attended the Ohio State University and received a Bachelor of Arts & Science Degree. Rob is the Director of Development for Ohio, Western PA, and Texas for the American Technion Society (ATS). ATS supports the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel. The University is often referred to as the MIT of the Northern Hemisphere. Before becoming a professional development specialist in the nonprofit world, Rob was a successful serial entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience, having built two steel companies and a promotional products marketing company from scratch.
The focus of Rob’s lay leadership has always been centered around underserved youth, whether it’s from medical or non-medical trauma. Some of his favorite appointments included serving on the following Boards of Directors: Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters, the 250 Committee, United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, Temple Tifereth Israel (now known as Congregation Mishkan Or), and the Beachwood Chamber of Commerce. He is passionate about fundraising and helping organizations make meaningful progress. In his spare time, Rob enjoys traveling the world with his best friend and wife, working out, playing with his dogs, reading business books, and spending time with family and friends. He lives in Chagrin Falls with his wife Jane. They have five adult children: Carly, Katie, Rachel, Sam, and Ben.
CHIEF REVOLUTION OFFICER
THE DIJULIUS GROUP,
BELIEVE IN DREAMS FOUNDER
CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER,
MAI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
SENIOR MANAGER,
HW&Co. CPA's & ADVISORS
Camille Ho-A-Lim has proven ability utilizing her extensive accounting, auditing, and finance knowledge and experiences providing sound business advisory solutions to the non-profit boards she serves. She is passionate about giving of her time, talent, and monies to non-profits whose mission and values support children. She is currently also the treasurer of Hanna Perkins Center for Child Development (HPCC) and an active member of HPCC’s finance and investment committees.
Prior to joining HPCC as a board member in June 2020 and becoming its current treasurer in July 2022, she was an active board member and served in the capacity of operational treasurer of Cleveland Academy of Scholarship, Technology and Leadership Enterprise High School (C.A.S.T.L.E.) during its operational treasurer transition and was instrumental in its selection and implementation of its new accounting software system and accounting records. In addition, she was the past treasurer of Christ Episcopal Church in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and was responsible for the modification of its annual budget and ad hoc reports for ease in use and presentation to the board.
As a current Senior Manager in the Private Business Advisory Service Department at HW & Co. CPAs & Advisors, Ms. Ho-A-Lim is responsible for leading, coaching, and managing staff during audits, reviews, and compilation engagements. She works closely with her Firm’s clients’ owners, chief financial officers, controllers, and other accounting department members to achieve the proper recording and disclosure of financial transactions in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). In addition, Ms. Ho-A-Lim has proven experience in the performance of for-profit, non-profit, employee benefit plans, and local and state government audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.
Ms. Ho-A-Lim has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from John Carroll University.
She is a member of the:
MORELAND CONNECT, LLC
Jeff is the founder of MorelandConnect, a U.S.-based consultancy following his leadership role at Accenture where he specialized in leading large, complex custom software projects for some of the world’s largest companies. His lighthearted style, eye for crisp designs, and focus on accuracy can only come from a person who writes with his left hand throws with his right. Today he leads significant projects that deliver the impossible with contagious optimism and exuberance. Jeff studied Systems Engineering at Case Western Reserve University where he was twelve-time letterman in football and track. He has developed and delivered courses in software development and business leadership throughout his career. Jeff has contributed to a number of non-profit organizations over the years. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Borromeo College, as the Board Chair at Cleveland Catholic Charities, and as a member of the Board of Directors at Shoes and Clothes for Kids and the Case Western Reserve University Alumni Association. In his spare time he coaches elementary school sports and spends the summer months searching for his third hole-in-one.
EXPERIAN
Mandie Kijinski brings over 13 years of leadership experience in sales and business development to the Believe in Dreams Board. As Vice President of Sales at Audigent, a part of Experian, she specializes in driving growth, fostering strategic partnerships, and delivering innovative solutions for clients. Mandie holds an Executive MBA, which complements her expertise in leadership, strategy, and organizational growth. Mandie is dedicated to supporting Believe in Dreams’ mission to inspire hope and empower youth to achieve their dreams.
Erin most recently served as in-house legal counsel for Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., a publicly traded sand mining company, from 2014 to 2017, with primary responsibility for securities and compliance matters through the company’s transition to a public company. Previously, she was in-house legal counsel for GrafTech International Ltd., an international manufacturing company in the carbon and graphite business, and led the company through several mergers and acquisitions from 2010 to 2012. From 2004 to 2009, she served as a transactional lawyer for large, international law firms – Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP and Jones Day. Erin graduated magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve University School and Law and Weatherhead School of Management with a JD/MBA degree and cum laude from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in political science and international studies.</p><p>Erin has contributed to various non-profit organizations over the years, acting as an advisor to the Board of Directors of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, Inc., a member of the Board of Directors (Treasurer) of Heartbeats, a Vice President of the International Lawyers Group of Cleveland and a volunteer for Global Volunteers.</p><p>Erin enjoys hiking, yoga, sports, health and wellness and spending time with family and friends, husband Jonathan, and their six children, Justice, Natalia, Max, Maya, Alexander and Miles.
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS
Tani Malhotra is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine physician in Cleveland, OH. Dedicated to caring for underserved patients she focuses on patients with significant social determinants of health. Much like adverse childhood experiences and social challenges in childhood have been linked to adverse outcomes in adulthood, significant social determinants have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. It was therefore an easy decision with Tani to become involved with Believe in Dreams where she was able to contribute to giving children hope to improve their future health.
PREMIER RESEARCH
Jess Pischel was born and raised in Cleveland, OH. She attended Cleveland State University
where she majored in Business Communications and earned her MBA. After working as a
Consultant at The DiJulius Group for over 5 years, she transitioned into a role at Premier
Research as the Director of Learning & Development in January 2023.
Egon was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the Ohio State University and received a B.S.B.A. degree. He then attended the Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he earned his JD. Egon was admitted to the practice of law in the state of Ohio in 1988. For his career, Egon practices Law in the area of employment and business-related services. He is also the CEO of a benefits and corporate wellness company.
Egon is currently a member of the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee at The Temple Tifereth Israel, where he serves as Assistant Treasurer. He continues to support various local and national charities both financially and in a hands-on capacity.
Egon enjoys tennis, fitness-related activities and spending time with his family and friends. He lives in Solon with his wife, Suzanne. They have three adult sons, Zach, Kyle & Justin.
