Mellisa Kingery (Medical Mutual of Ohio)
Board President
Mellisa Kingery, a Provider Service Representative for Medical Mutual of Ohio, has been serving the Cleveland Clinic for 31 years.
She is pursuing a degree in Business Administration at Cuyahoga Community College. She is very active in her Church, leading a number of outreach programs. She is extremely passionate in ministering to the Women of Laura’s home, a local homeless shelter for women and children as well as serving the incarcerated in the Integration Center located in downtown Cleveland.
When she is not working or serving her community, Mellisa is a fitness enthusiast that enjoys anything health and fitness related, especially running, lifting weights and participating in triathlons.
She has two grown sons, 3 beautiful grand-children and resides in Lakewood with her husband of 31 years.
Julie Dean (Tarkett North America)
Board Secretary
Julie Dean is manager of Internal Communications for Tarkett North America, a worldwide leader of innovative and sustainable flooring solutions. In this role, she serves as a writer and strategic communications professional, creating effective communications plans and messaging to support the CEO and executive leadership team. She is also responsible for the company’s community relations activities and community outreach.
Julie serves as vice president of programming for the Northeast Ohio chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. She is also an active member of the Band and Orchestra Boosters for her local school district.
An avid runner for the past 25 years, Julie appreciates the value of athletics in healing body, mind and soul. And as a mother of two teenage daughters, she understands the important role athletics play in developing confidence, strength and self-esteem for young women.
Brianna Berry (USI Insurance)
Board Treasurer
Brianna Berry has been with USI Insurance since July 2016 where she holds an Account Manager role. She has been in the benefits industry for over 6 years and is experienced in employee health benefits and health and wellness programs. Prior to working with USI, she held employee benefit roles with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores’ corporate headquarters and Cleveland’s Jones Day Law Firm.
Volunteering involvement Brianna is passionate about are with Girls with Sole, Camp Cheerful, and Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland. She also has volunteered with Gables Nursing Home and Hattie Larlham. Brianna regularly supports and volunteers at local race events throughout Northeast Ohio, which support non-profit organizations, charities and other good causes.
Brianna received her B. A. in Psychology from The University of Akron where she minored in Human Resource Management and Women’s Studies. While attending U of A, she was a varsity cheerleader for the Akron Zips football and basketball teams. After graduating college she was a professional cheerleader for the AFL Cleveland Gladiators Football Team.
Brianna has a passion for serving others and being their personal “Cheerleader”! She lives in Fairview Park, OH with her husband Kurt and spunky dog, Isabelle. When she is not working or serving her community, she is a fitness fanatic that enjoys anything health and fitness related, especially running, working out and eating healthy.
David R. Menning (The Huntington National Bank)
Board Member
Dave is a Senior Vice President and Commercial Regional Manager with Huntington Bank in Cleveland Ohio. He is responsible for developing, implementing and leading commercial banking business strategy in Northeast Ohio. He also focuses on championing community and economic development across Northeast Ohio. Dave has a multifaceted background in banking, private equity, consulting and public accounting. Having been active in athletics his entire life, Dave recognizes and appreciates the lessons sports and athletics can teach.
Shannon Gilfillan (KeyBank)
Board Member
Shannon is Vice President and Counsel with KeyBank National Association. She is experienced in contract negotiation, procurement, employment law, and compliance having worked for large financial institutions, utilities, media, and retail.
Shannon appreciates community and has served on the Board for Cornucopia/Nature’s Bin and for the Rocky River Women’s Club. Shannon has been teaching group exercise and fitness classes to children and adults for over 20 years and is committed to combining mental wellbeing with physical awareness.
Renee Cardello M.Ed. (Integrity Staffing)
Board Member
Renee has spent the last ten years as a sales executive working both locally as well as nationally. Currently, she is a part of the sales team at Integrity Staffing managing territories in Cleveland as well as Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to her career in sales, she was a Physical Education and Science Teacher in the Cleveland Municipal School District. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in Athletic Training, as well as a Master’s Degree in Education from John Carroll University.
Renee has been a volunteer for Open M, Camp Cheerful and the True2U programs. Due to her own life experiences, she felt a strong calling to mentor young girls and women at risk. Feeling the need to pay it forward, she “put it out in the Universe” and is looking forward to making an impact with Girls with Sole.
A lifelong advocate of health and fitness who enjoys running, spinning, and CrossFit. She is a passionate equestrian as well and enjoys traveling to horse shows across the country. Renee lives with her two teenage children Giancarlo and Giulia as well as dogs Izzy and Zeus.
Liz Ferro (Founder/CEO Girls With Sole)
Board Member (non-voting)
Liz Ferro is the author of the books Chameleon Girl, Girls With Sole – A Girl Power Guide to Unleashing Your Inner Superhero, and Finish Line Feeling, and has personally crossed many finish lines. Liz has completed a full marathon in all 50 States of America and on the Great Wall of China; has run 77 marathons (2 of them 50K Ultras); 5 Ironman Triathlons; and countless road races and triathlons of every distance. The empowerment gained from sports led her to found the non-profit organization Girls With Sole.
She is the recipient of the 2018 SmartwomenAWARD for Progressive Organization; 2017 Community Changemaker Award from the Ohio Alliance To End Sexual Violence; 2016 Medical Mutual NEO Pillar Award for Nonprofit Executive Director of the Year; 2016 Flourish Entrepreneur of the Year Award; 2015 Robert F. Allen Symbol of H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People through Empowerment) Award; 2015 Perspectives Women Who Excel Award; 2015 9th Annual Roslyn Z. Wolf Award; 2014 Women Doing Good Award from SELF Magazine; the 2012 Longines Women Who Make a Difference Award from Town & Country Magazine; Best New Charity of the Midwest by the CLASSY Awards in 2012; the 2011 Classic Woman Award from Traditional Home Magazine; and the 2011 American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland Hero Award.
Girls With Sole has been featured in Runner’s World, Family Circle, SELF, Traditional Home Magazine, Ohio Magazine, CBC Magazine, and on the NBC TODAY Show
Liz Ferro is a mom, wife, athlete, speaker, author, and the Founder and CEO of Girls With Sole.