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 and has also served in the Junior League of Cleveland.

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.

Kristine DiFiore, National Operations

Kristine DiFiore joined Flashes of Hope in 2005 and was instrumental in planning the national expansion. She currently manages all of the chapters and runs the national operations out of the Cleveland headquarters. While living in Boston, she founded Parent Talk, a volunteer based nonprofit organization designed to provide parents of young children both emotional and educational support. She began her career as a loan officer for Bank of Boston before becoming an executive with GCC Technologies in Boston, MA. She has served a variety of community organizations both as a board member and fundraising leader. Kristine graduated from Bowling Green State University with a BA in Health Care Administration.

Janelle Dougherty, Public Relations and Communications

A seasoned Healthcare Marketer, Janelle comes to Flashes of Hope from her position as a Senior Marketer with Pfizer, Inc., where she was responsible for brand management, medical communications and strategic planning for the 2.1 billion dollar Caduet/Norvasc franchise. Janelle began her career in pharmaceutical advertising in New York City at Medicus NY and Cline Davis and Mann, managing business for Pfizer, Novartis, Procter & Gamble and Sanofi-Aventis. She has a BA in Psychology and Legal Studies from the State University of New York at Geneseo.

Amy Green, Photographer Relations

Amy started the first licensed chapter in Atlanta in the fall of 2005 before relocating to work in the Cleveland office this year. A gifted photographer, she was the natural choice for the organization's first expansion. In early 2004, she developed the Portrait of a Child program under the auspices of CURE Childhood Cancer offering her professional photography services to children with cancer. Amy began her career on Wall Street before taking a position as Vice President of Corporate Lending at Wachovia Corporation. She graduated from Drew University with a BA in Economics.

Sondra Miller, Executive Director

In leading Flashes of Hope in its national expansion, Sondra brings expertise in nonprofit administration, board development and resource development. Prior to joining Flashes, she was Chief Operating Officer for the YWCA in Cleveland, where she assisted in the organization's revitalization. While there, she oversaw marketing, public relations and fundraising and launched a women's leadership initiative that has been adopted by YWCAs around the Midwest. She began her career at Landau Public Relations, a mid-sized firm headquartered in Cleveland. Sondra earned a master's degree in business administration/executive leadership from Ashland University and a bachelor's in journalism/marketing from Bowling Green State University. She has received awards from Crain's Cleveland Business and the Cleveland 20/30 Club and has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a Big Sister for many years.