I was born in Strongsville, Ohio in 1998. When I was 21 months old I was dagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Growing up, I fell in love with the game of soccer and did everything I could to become the best soccer player that I could be. I broke 2 records at Strongsville High School and tied a third. I went on to play soccer at Ohio State University. I played one season for the Buckeyes before moving to Cleveland to pursue my entrepreneurial endeavors.I transferred to Cleveland State and started my first business with my long time friend and roommate. We started a social media marketing business and quickly gained some clients. We partnered with a larger agency and got the opportunity to work with some really amazing people. We loved the entrepreneurial spirit so much, that we decided to start another business. A public speaking agency. We teamed up with another member and called ourselves Deja Vu. We help others create a life that they dream of living, and I've loved the challenges and opportunities that public speaking has presented. I am 21 years old and I have never taken a sip of alcohol. I'm passionate about helping others, and I'm on a mission to make a difference. I like to speak about business and marketing, sports, adversity, and hard work. My main preference is speaking to middle school and high school students. I don't really have any time preferences and am pretty flexible. Local doesn't matter that much either, and I reside in Downtown Cleveland.

Andrew Balazs is Manager of Data Centers and Disaster Recovery at University Hospitals of Cleveland. He is responsible for the strategic direction and delivery for the Company’s Data Centers and Disaster Recovery. Prior to University Hospitals, Andrew spent more than 25 years of experience in Medical Mutual’ s systems division, responsible for data center management, hardware/software acquisition and management, distributed system hardware and software, desktop hardware and software, voice and data networks, Helpdesk, and SLA management. Andrew earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Quantitative Business Analysis from Cleveland State University in 1980 and a Master in Business Administration degree also from CSU in 1990. He is currently serving on the Visiting Committee at Cleveland States Ahuja College of Business and servers on the Graduate school’s curriculum committee. He is also a member of the Technology Steering committee for the National M.S. Society. Andrew enjoys speaking to high school and college students about careers in IT, cybersecurity, and medical data systems management. Please contact YEI’s Dr. Celena Roebuck, croebuck@us.edu to schedule Mr. Andrew Balazs to speak to student groups.

AJ graduated from Westminster College in 2019 with a degree in Accounting. He worked as an auditor for a year after college, he is now a business development analyst and salesman for ITEN industries full time. He owns and operates a few small businesses called Odorex Athletix, Athena Entrepreneurial Educators and Town Crier Radio. He is also the host of a podcast called “Work In Progress” where every other week he talks about the various business endeavors on which he works. In his free time he enjoys weightlifting, skateboarding, skiing and playing Xbox.

Evan Delahanty is the Founder and CEO of Peaceful Fruits, a social good snack startup that employs people with disabilities to make healthy, delicious, rainforest-friendly fruit snacks. Peaceful Fruits has been featured on NPR and ABC’s Shark Tank and is focused on scaling sales and production locally and nationally. Evan graduated from Walsh Jesuit High School (2003), then Cornell University (2007), before working in private industry in operations management. Prior to launching Peaceful Fruits, he served as a Community Economic Development Specialist for the U.S. Peace Corps in the Amazon interior of Suriname, South America. Evan Delahanty enjoys speaking about the entrepreneurial mindset, the art of the elevator pitch and how to raise capital. He is available to speak to students 3rd through 9th grade during the school day across town.

Dr. Casen DeMaria gets to live out her dream job everyday as a chiropractor. As a registered massage therapist, Dr. Casen knew she wanted to continue to add value to the individuals she was helping each day, and enrolled at Life University where she received her Doctor of Chiropractic. Since joining The Drugless Doctors, Dr. Casen actively pursues new ways to reach and educate the community about the benefits of chiropractic, drugless care, and breast thermography, which includes successful partnerships with local businesses and women’s organizations. Dr. Casen enjoys speaking about how to follow your passion, what a career in health care looks like, how to represent your brand and simple strategies to improve your marketing and communication. Dr. Casen is available to speak to students at schools and non-profit organizations located in downtown and westside Cleveland.

Rick is an engaged learner curious about the world and seeks solutions to problems. He works in both the for profit and non-profit sectors laboring to unleash potential: improving operations, building into communities, and equipping people for success. Rick is a founder of small businesses, a school, and social ventures. Rick’s motto, “Invest in the City!” Rick is interested in speaking about igniting the entrepreneurial mindset, the art of the elevator pitch and how to start a business. He is open to speaking to 3rd-12th grade students across town, in classroom settings and out of school programs. Please contact Rick at Rick@Cleoramanagement.com to schedule an engagement.

Bob Gillingham is the President of Bob Gillingham Ford, a third generation family business. He is active in the community and volunteers for many organizations. He is a member of the Medina County Career Center school board, is on the advisory board for the St. Ambrose school in Brunswick. His primary passion, however, is teaching financial literacy. Starting out with Junior Achievement 30 years ago, Bob has been teaching the subject at schools around the country. About 10 years ago he developed a curriculum specifically targeted to students in high school and college. His 2-3 hour class has been taught to over 6000 students last year in over 25 high schools and several colleges. Unlike so many financial literacy programs, Bob’s class does not represent any business, nor sell any products. It is strictly to educate students how each of them can become a millionaire tax free in their lifetime without any complicated program or large investment. Students in 8th grade or older can get started with as little as $20.00 invested in the stock market with very little risk. This class teaches students not only how investments work but actually how to start investing tax free at a very young age. This program is so easy we call it couch potato investing. The program is part of a world wide nonprofit Finmango, which promotes financial literacy and entrepreneurship around the world.

Dawud Hamzah is a Youth Motivational Speaker from Cleveland, OH, who empowers and helps adolescents and young adults unlock their true potential. He actively speaks at schools and detention centers and has inspired many young souls to step up and build better lives. Dawud rose from earning six dollars an hour to an annual six figure income with only having a GED as his high level of education. By the age of 30, he had achieved astounding success in the retail industry. Dawud owes his incredible success to principles he learned along the way. From personal development audios, books, and exposure to the right environments he embodied the secrets of building a prosperous and satisfying life. Through his H.Y.P.E program (Helping You Produce Excellence), he now shares his knowledge with adolescents and young adults who are in search of inspiration and a reason not to give up. In addition to his tenure teaching and speaking, Dawud Hamzah is a loving husband, father of two, and a licensed life insurance broker who lives to serve.

Gabriela (Gabby) Hernandez is a member of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a Supervisory Program Analyst and a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. She recently acquired Six Sigma Green Belt status and aspires to continue the work toward Black Belt status. Prior to this, Gabby was a Military Analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense. Gabby earned both a Bachelor degree in Urban Education and Leadership in 2017 and an Executive Master in Business Administration degree from Cleveland State University in 2023. Please contact YEI’s Dr. Celena Roebuck, croebuck@us.edu to schedule Mrs. Gabby Hernandez to speak to student groups.

Anne is an Independent Personal Stylist with J.Hilburn Men’s Clothier. A versatile, high-energy and creative sales and marketing professional with a Passion for Fashion, Anne helps men in Northeast Ohio and across the country look great and get the proper fit for their body type ~ without traditional markups. Many men don’t like to shop, are frustrated by off-the-rack clothing, expensive custom wear and alteration costs. No matter the shape or size, big or tall ~ Anne does it all! She has an extensive background in various industries with C-level and marketing executives: Trade show, multimedia, commercial real estate, human resources and hospitality/event planning. Prior to joining J.Hilburn, Anne worked for Skyline Trisource Exhibits, Smart Business Network, Forest City Enterprises and Sheraton Hotels. Anne received the 2016 Excellence in Achievement Award from the National Sales & Marketing Executives Association, Akron/Canton Chapter. She studied business management and communication at Cleveland State University and attended business courses at Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management. She is also a preferred vendor of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. Anne enjoys speaking to high school students about Marketing, Sales, Social Media, Fashion, Event Planning and Career Search.

Anna Kelberg-Kim is an entertainment lawyer and represents a diverse roster of clients in music industry as well as literary artists, filmmakers, visual artists, performers and performing arts organizations. Anna combines business and legal knowledge of the industry to offer comprehensive representation to entertainment professionals on matters pertaining to Copyright and Trademark; Clearance and Licensing rights; Formation of Business Entity; and Contract Drafting, Review, and Negotiation. Anna’s passion for helping people to build their careers in entertainment comes from her personal experiences as a musician and as being a parent of a music artist. Anna, classically trained violinist and pianist, grew up in an arts-rich environment – her family, professional music educators and music artists always stressed the importance and value of the arts as integral part of their lives. Recently, Anna has expanded her practice representing independent music artists and composers for sync licensing. Anna believes that with the rapid change in the music industry, sync can be very instrumental for independent musicians in fulfilling their creative purpose. Anna believes that one of the keys to professional success is continuous learning and keeping current with industry trends. She prefers to speak to students in 9-12th grade, and can be available to speak to classrooms and after school programs across town, depending on her schedule. To learn more, visit Anna’s website at www.KelbergLaw.com.

Matthew C. Kocin is a Client Relationship Manager with Banc Consulting Partners. He has over 12 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry. Prior to joining Banc Consulting Partners, Matthew worked in public accounting as an Audit Manager at Crowe Horwath LLP, one of the largest public accounting and consulting firms in the United States. Matthew is experienced in the application of United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, internal controls, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance. He has extensive knowledge of community banking as well as a strong understanding of operational and financial performance. His in-depth knowledge of bank‐owned life insurance and non‐qualified executive benefit plans, coupled with his specialization in the banking industry, makes him an invaluable resource for the initial design and ongoing management of bank‐owned life insurance and non‐qualified benefit plans. Matthew attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he studied accounting and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Business. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Matthew serves as a Trustee on the Foundation Board for the Slovene Home for the Aged, a not‐for‐profit organization.

With over 40 years of experience in entrepreneurship in both for profit and not profit (including founding Young Entrepreneur Institute), I can spark your students' interest in starting their own enterprise. I have several presentations prepared but am flexible to adapt to your individual situation. One very interactive lesson focuses on turning ideas into business opportunities. The other focuses on general lessons I have learned from each of the half dozen enterprises that I have started. I also have lessons on creating a successful elevator pitch as well as business finance.

Elmer Peralta has been a Finance and Accounting leader for 20 years and he has worked in the Philippines, UAE and currently in the United States. He has been in different industries like Healthcare, Non-Profit Organization, Retail, Construction, Real Estate, Advertising (Project), Law Firm, Freight and Forward Transportation and Oil & Gas. He has managed the different aspects of finance and accounting including Financial Reporting, Financial Planning and Analysis, General, Cost and Management Accounting, Credit and Controls, Process Optimization, Cash Management, Derivatives – Forward and Future Contracts, Letter of Credit, Foreign Currency Contracts, and Construction Contracts. He enjoys sharing with students his career path and journey throughout his career and has an inspirational story to share about how the right attitude can lead to fulfilling success. Elmer completed his executive MBA from Cleveland State University. Please contact YEI’s Dr. Celena Roebuck, croebuck@us.edu to schedule Mr. Elmer Peralta to speak to student groups.

Lee Schwebel is an experienced marketing professional with a record of achievement and results. He is skilled in Brand Management, Media Relations, Corporate Communications, Market Research, Public Relations and Event Management. Lee is the great-grandson of Schwebel Baking Company founders, Dora and Joseph Schwebel. He has spent the past 25 years as Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications, setting new company standards for excellence in advertising, promotions, event marketing, product development, and digital marketing. Lee enjoys speaking about developing good interpersonal communication skills and how to be better organized and prepared for school and for life. Lee can work with students to help reinforce basic life skills and the keys to being happy, positive, and productive, including accountability to oneself, to family, to others. Lee’s special areas of achievement he can share about with students include cultivating your creative spirit, strengthening writing skills, grassroots marketing, advertising, social media, current events, and arts/theater/music. He is available to discuss what is necessary to achieve personal and professional success, to students of all age ranges. Lee can describe how creativity and marketing are linked, and how he used those skills in tandem at Schwebel Baking Company, his family’s business. He has an exciting story to tell about the baking business, its founding, history, operation, what makes Schwebel’s bread so good, and how the Schwebel family has stayed in business for 114 years.

Gabrielle is a Digital Content Specialist with University Hospitals (UH), the largest network of hospitals, doctors and surgeons in Northeast Ohio. Gabrielle was recruited to UH in 2021 to lead marketing and communications for the organization’s men’s health initiative. In this position, she deploys content strategies to drive the enterprise’s message of preventative, multi-disciplinary care to close the healthcare gender gap. Prior to her role at UH, Gabrielle was a Strategic Marketing Associate for Cleveland Clinic Innovations – the international non-profit and academic medical center’s licensing and commercialization arm. In this role she drove content campaigns across multiple platforms to educate and engage both internal and external business development partners. Gabrielle graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Premedical Studies in 2018 and a Masters of Business Administration from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in 2022 with focus on Organizational Behavior & Leadership and Marketing. Please contact YEI’s Dr. Celena Roebuck, croebuck@us.edu to schedule Miss Gabrielle Semon to speak to student groups.

Anne (Catherine Skoch) is the owner of Anne Cate, a made-in-America accessories boutique specializing in skyline silhouette purses and pillows. A Cleveland girl with a love for creating and a proud Kent State graduate, she has scaled her business from a sewing machine in her dorm room to a manufacturing studio and strong team of 5. Anne Cate not only distributes directly to their customer base, but is selling in over 80 accounts small and large across the country including the Art Institute of Chicago and Wayfair.com. Anne has been an entrepreneur since she was 13 and loves bringing joy to people through her products. Anne enjoys speaking about starting a business at a young age/throughout college, finding profitable success in a creative product-based business, pursuing a venture as my a first career.

Christopher Smith serves as the senior onboarding resource for applicants seeking services and/or investment from JumpStart and its network of partners. His role involves engaging with early-stage and small business clients, identifying their service needs, providing value-added feedback, maintaining continued engagement with clients and partners to track continued progress made and making referrals within JumpStart, within the NEO ESP Network and to our other external services partners. Chris enjoys speaking about the art of the elevator pitch, how to start a business, and raising capital for a business. He is open to speaking to students grades 9-12th in school and after school programs across town depending on his schedule.