Allison Clarke, Founder

Allison and her husband Kip founded Flashes of Hope during their son's successful treatment for cancer. The first shoot was held in August of 2001 at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to founding Flashes of Hope, she was a Senior Account Executive at Imagio/J.Walter Thompson in Seattle. She began her career in television as a producer for the NBC affiliate in Cleveland and then as an on-air reporter for the ABC station. Allison also appeared in national commercials and print campaigns as a model. She graduated with honors from Boston College on a full athletic scholarship and was named an Academic All-American.

Heidi Carmigiano, Chapter Director Manager

Heidi Carmigiano is our Chapter Director Manager. Most recently, she was an Executive Medical Sales Recruiter with Friedman Search Group. She also worked as a Corporate Risk Auditor and Manager with Banc One and KeyCorp. Heidi has extensive non-profit experience, serving as the Vice President of Fundraising and Treasurer of the Chagrin Valley Women’s League, Section Head of the PTO and member of the Church Lay Ministry Board. She graduated from Wittenberg University with a BA in Business and Accounting.

Lisa Cencula, Marketing and Special Events

As Director of Operations for Kaleidoscope, a 35-person design firm she founded with her husband in 1989, Lisa brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience to the Flashes of Hope team. Working with customers such as Procter & Gamble, Rubbermaid, and Moen, she designed and executed the firm's strategic marketing plans, including tradeshow and special events planning. After selling Kaleidoscope in 2004, Lisa worked in Retail Marketing for Stark Enterprises, a regional developer of mixed-use properties. Lisa graduated with honors from The Cleveland Institute of Art with a BFA in Photography. She is an avid supporter of Therapy Dogs International.

Kristine DiFiore, Executive Director

Kristine DiFiore joined Flashes of Hope in 2005 and was instrumental in planning and executing Flashes of Hope's national expansion. Prior to assuming the role of Executive Director, Kristine ran the organization's national operations out of the Cleveland headquarters and managed the Flashes of Hope Chapters across the country. She began her career as a loan officer for Bank of Boston before becoming an executive with GCC Technologies in Boston, MA. Over the past ten years, she has served a variety of community organizations and currently holds board positions serving the arts, recreation and youth athletic programs. Kristine graduated from Bowling Green State University with a BA in Health Care Administration.

Holly Passalaqua, Studio Manager

Holly Passalaqua was named our Studio Manager after helping to develop our Kick-it program. Prior to joining Flashes of Hope, she was the Executive Director of a local Chamber of Commerce and also worked as an Account Service Manager at Cole Vision. Holly has held a variety of board positions with youth soccer clubs and Friends of CASA, which raises money for abused and neglected children. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing.

Mary Seay, Kick-It Coordinator

Mary Seay brings extensive experience to her role as Kick-It Coordinator. As a community leader, she served on a diverse group of non-profit boards and committees in Ohio, New Jersey and Texas. Prior to devoting her efforts to engaging and motivating volunteers, Mary was the creator and sole proprietor of a two retail stores specializing in Oriental artifacts. She graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in Sociology.

Mary Selhorst, Development Director

Mary Selhorst joins us in Development after years of non-profit volunteer work on fundraising, event planning and strategic planning at the Board level. She spent 15 years in commercial lending and division management and several years teaching business and accounting classes at a local college. She has a B.A. from the College of Wooster and an MBA from Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University.

Stacy Sternen-Martines, Image Manager

Stacy Sternen-Martines was named Image Manager after serving as a Flashes of Hope volunteer for years. Stacy has widespread business experience in sales, marketing and decorative arts. Her work has taken her all over the world: buying for two international offices, producing visual sales tools and working in trade shows. She also managed the staff of an independent furniture retailer and founded Bella Finestra, an interior decorating and window treatment business.

Cathy Welcsh, Kick It Director

As Kick It Director, Cathy is responsible for running the program and raising money for childhood cancer research. She recently worked in marketing at the Elevation Group and has significant fundraising experience in schools. She was the co-owner of Seattle Coffee's House, a successful coffee store in the Wooster, Ohio community. Cathy also worked as an Account Executive for Pleasant Holidays and Nabisco. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Baldwin Wallace College.