Michael D. Lewis, PhD, Executive Director
As an educator, consultant, and author, Michael understands the importance of prevention starting at an early age. He pioneered the field of elementary school counseling as well as the concept of community counseling. He became aware of the need for a new approach to counseling as a result of his experience working with children at the Hawthorn Center in Michigan. His development continued as he worked as a high school counselor and grew as he became one of the first elementary school counselors in the nation. Teaching the community counseling model during his years as a college professor, he went on to train students throughout the world. He worked for ten years as a consultant for the National Institute for Mental Health, where he advocated for grants to agencies and universities utilizing the community counseling model. He discovered early on that the community holds the keys to both cause and cure. During his long and productive career, he has worked with community organizations and consulted with various government agencies and corporations. He developed a corporation, PACE, that received the first performance-based grant from the State of Illinois for employee assistance programs in the state. He has authored numerous textbooks which continue to be used in both social work and counseling programs at universities worldwide. He received his master's degree from Eastern Michigan University and his doctorate from the University of Michigan.
As President and Executive Director of Educational World Charities, he continues to give back through grants to programs that advocate prevention as well as supporting initiatives relating to the welfare and education of children.
As President and Executive Director of Educational World Charities, he continues to give back through grants to programs that advocate prevention as well as supporting initiatives relating to the welfare and education of children.
Linda Tate, Director of Development and Projects
As an accomplished entrepreneur, project management specialist, educator, and musician, Linda has diverse work experience and a varied skill set. She is the former owner of a successful scrap iron recycling business, where she spent seven years managing the corporation including public relations and marketing, contract negotiation, and supervision of jobs and a staff of 50 employees. She went on to manage projects for several law firms in Chicago, and then spent four years working with at-risk students in an elementary school for the Coachella Valley Unified School District in California as a classroom teacher, community outreach coordinator, and student activities specialist. She is a professional vocalist, songwriter, composer, producer, recording artist, and music educator who has been awarded grants for her creative work and has four commercially released albums to her credit. She received her Bachelor of Music Degree in music composition from Roosevelt University, and a Master of Music Degree in jazz studies and vocal performance from DePaul University. Additionally, she has studied vocal pedagogy at Northeastern Illinois University and songwriting at Berklee College of Music.
She plans and supervises fundraising events for Educational World Charities, manages the administration of the corporation, and is responsible for grant solicitation and the development of new educational outreach initiatives.
She plans and supervises fundraising events for Educational World Charities, manages the administration of the corporation, and is responsible for grant solicitation and the development of new educational outreach initiatives.
Karyn Kerr Pettigrew, Board Member
From the White House to women's shelters, Karyn Pettigrew has inspired, refreshed, and transformed dozens of businesses and thousands of lives internationally through her consulting, coaching, training, speaking, media appearances and books.
In her firm, Beyond Blind Spots, she uses intuition and over 15 years of corporate marketing and strategy experience, to guide entrepreneurs and business leaders beyond the things they can't see or don't recognize are keeping them from accomplishing their goals. Her "Click! - Unlock Your Soul's Code to Business Success" Signature System helps businesses leverage the strengths they already possess to create unique, indispensable and highly sought-after brands.
Karyn has led organizations such as Peoples Energy, the Illinois State Lottery, and Quaker Oats through marketing, communication, and corporate strategy initiatives. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in economics from Wellesley College and her Masters of Business Administration from Harvard University. She was named a Growth Guru by the Women's Leadership Exchange and received the President's Award from the Chicago Chapter of NAWBO where she sat on the Board of Directors for five years. Currently, along with her position with Educational World Charities, she sits on the Board of Directors for Redmoon Theater in Chicago and Smith Senior Living - a continuing care facility.
In her firm, Beyond Blind Spots, she uses intuition and over 15 years of corporate marketing and strategy experience, to guide entrepreneurs and business leaders beyond the things they can't see or don't recognize are keeping them from accomplishing their goals. Her "Click! - Unlock Your Soul's Code to Business Success" Signature System helps businesses leverage the strengths they already possess to create unique, indispensable and highly sought-after brands.
Karyn has led organizations such as Peoples Energy, the Illinois State Lottery, and Quaker Oats through marketing, communication, and corporate strategy initiatives. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in economics from Wellesley College and her Masters of Business Administration from Harvard University. She was named a Growth Guru by the Women's Leadership Exchange and received the President's Award from the Chicago Chapter of NAWBO where she sat on the Board of Directors for five years. Currently, along with her position with Educational World Charities, she sits on the Board of Directors for Redmoon Theater in Chicago and Smith Senior Living - a continuing care facility.
Lisa Levitt Prime, Board Member
Lisa is a SPHR certified human resources professional with over 13 years of experience creating, managing, and administering human resources functions and aligning these functions with company goals. She focuses on solutions and results and on providing value to the company and its employees. She has strong analytical, rapport-building, and customer service skills. Her managerial experience includes work with ADP, the Marquam Group, PBSI Human Resources, Guten Foods, Nice Ventures, and WarrantyNow.
In addition to being a Senior Professional of Human Resources, she is also a Certified Professional Coach and has received Global Career Development Facilitator Training. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in psychology and child mental health from California State University-Northridge.
In addition to being a Senior Professional of Human Resources, she is also a Certified Professional Coach and has received Global Career Development Facilitator Training. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in psychology and child mental health from California State University-Northridge.