Cleveland, Ohio- The Orange Effect Foundation (OEF) welcomes two new members to its executive board. Dr. Monica Gordon Pershey, an associate professor at Cleveland State University and Craig Coffey, director of marketing communications at Lincoln Electric will help OEF continue its mission of empowering children and young adults with speech disorders by providing the therapy and technology they need to effectively communicate.
Monica Gordon Pershey, Ed.D., CCC-SLP is an Associate Professor in the Speech and Hearing Program, School of Health Sciences, Cleveland State University (CSU), Cleveland, OH. She has been a speech-language pathologist for over 30 years. Dr. Gordon Pershey has authored over 125 articles, book chapters, and presentations, many of them on language and literacy development.
Craig Coffey is the U.S. Marketing Communications Manager for the Lincoln Electric Company, the world’s leading manufacturer of welding products. He is a 20-plus year veteran of B2B marketing with experience in the publishing, manufacturing, engineering and professional services industries. Prior to joining Lincoln, his resume includes stints at blue chip brands including Parker Hannifin and the Caterpillar dealer network.
The OEF leadership team, comprised of executive director, Pam Kozelka, founder, Joe Pulizzi and board members Kristin Erbacher and Cathy McPhillips, is excited to welcome Dr. Gordon Pershey and Mr. Coffey to the board. Every quarter, OEF receives grant applications from both providers and families. Applications are open to any and all families. The leadership team researches and reviews each case and delivers financial grants to those who need it most. Since December 2015, OEF has awarded over $400,000 in grants to 132 children in 28 states.
The next grant application deadline is February 15, 2019. For more information about OEF, to donate/sponsor, or to obtain a copy of the grant application visit theorangeeffect.org.
About the Orange Effect Foundation
The Orange Effect Foundation strives to ensure that every single person has the ability to communicate. The foundation, while officially formed in 2014, actually began back in 2001 when the founders’ son was born with autism. Early intervention has led him to be a very heartwarming and independent young man. The Pulizzi family wanted to give back by empowering other children with the therapy and tools they need to communicate effectively.
