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.

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.

Natalie Kontur, Image Management and Photographer Relations

Natalie served as a volunteer for Flashes of Hope for several years and now works with our volunteer photographers across the country. Before joining the national office team, she worked as a lead photographer and studio manager New Image Photography. Natalie has also traveled extensively pursuing freelance photography work. She graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Interior Design and Photo-Illustration in 2004.

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.

Robin Star, Development Director

Robin Star brings a wealth of development experience to her development role at Flashes of Hope. She co-founded the Make-a-Wish Foundation Chapter in Buffalo and was the Development Director for a South Carolina summer camp for children with cancer. She has also served on boards and volunteered for various charity events. Robin graduated with a sports marketing and business degree from the University of Denver.

Hannah Terrell, Chapter Director Liaison and Public Relations Coordinator

Hannah Terrell served as the New York City Chapter Director before joining the national office staff as the Chapter Director Liaison and Public Relations Coordinator. Most recently, she was on the advertising sales team for the History Channel at A&E Television Network. She also worked as a media buyer on the Bristol Myers Squibb account at Mindshare in New York. Hannah began her career in the training program at Nordstrom after graduating from Vanderbilt with a double major in English and Child Development.

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.