Faculty

Kelly Alksninis is an emerging professional in the field of diplomatic and cultural studies. Growing up immersed in the Lithuanian American community, Kelly has a strong connection to the post-Soviet region. A graduate from the United States Naval Academy Class of 2022, she earned a BS in History with a minor in Russian. During her […]

Dr. Atkinson brings over 50 years of experience in Instructional Systems Design, curriculum development, and experiential learning. Having spent over two decades at Louisiana State University and many years developing corporate training projects in industry, he specializes in making complex technical concepts accessible and engaging for all learners. His recent publications describe the evolution of […]

Rene is a Celebration resident and experienced crochet instructor who enjoys helping adults discover the fun and satisfaction of working with yarn. She has taught crochet for several years, with a focus on making fiber arts approachable, relaxing, and beginner-friendly. Rene has previously taught finger knitting through Lifelong Learning and treats her classes as hands-on […]

Janet Belsky has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Chicago and has been writing textbooks in lifespan development for her entire adult life. She is the author of Experiencing the Lifespan, now in its 7th edition, a textbook published by Macmillan that is used around the world. She taught courses in human […]

Patty has taught the Wilton method of cake decorating for over 20 years. Over 10,000 students have taken her classes, learning skills from basic cake decorating- figure piping, roses and shell borders, up through advanced flowers, lattice work, and tiered cakes. All of her students have made her proud and she is always excited to […]

Cherie Montonye Dowd holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art focusing on Art Education, Painting, and Art History. Cherie has enjoyed a 30+ year career in the arts including painting and exhibiting, teaching art in public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities. She enjoys supporting people of any age in revealing their unique perspective […]

Paul has been playing with cars since he was a kid and currently owns a 1958 Edsel Pacer Convertible since 2015. He is currently a member of The International Edsel Club, the SE Governor of the Edsel Owners Club, and VP of the Florida Edsel Club.

With a degree in Telecommunications/Advertising from Indiana University, Theresa Duwe is a person who grew up loving to cook and bake. But the thought of culinary school and cooking as a profession never crossed her mind until starting as a personal chef cooking meals for a few families. That led to 16 years running her […]

Cindy has a BS in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University. She spent 35+ years in the travel industry, working for companies such as Delta Dream Vacations, Holiday Inn, and Disney Destinations. Cindy was awarded the Walt Disney World Partner in Excellence award in 2007, and while at Disney, she earned her CTC (Certified […]

After training with the National Association of Organizing Professionals, she started her own business in Celebration organizing homes and small offices throughout the area. Despite closing her business after the pandemic, she still holds the passion to offer assistance to those in need.

Bill has a lifelong interest in Holmes and has read and studied biographical information on Doyle and “information” on Holmes, as gathered from the stories. Bill has an MBA in Finance and a bachelor’s in music composition. After an earlier music career, Bill worked in property management, and development of affordable housing.

Angela is a former schoolteacher and adjunct faculty for 2 universities. She is a former site administrator for Hewlett Packard and worked for Lockheed Martin in many capacities over the years. As of 2007, she became a mental health counselor. Angela is a licensed professional counselor with a master’s degree, post master’s degree and some […]

Dr. Korevaar is a 1977 MD graduate of Yale School of Medicine. She is now on faculty at the UCF College of Medicine in Lake Nona. Dr. Korevaar currently mentors medical students, including participation in research projects. She is working with 2 students to explore how AI chatbots compare with physicians in diagnosis and proposed […]

Jon has enjoyed an over 40-year-long career as a Theatre Director, Artistic Director, Writer, Dramaturg, Fine Arts Critic, and Professor. Jon has directed over 100 productions for Regional Theatres across the U S and Canada. He has also taught acting, dramatic literature, and film studies for many universities and studios all over the west coast […]

Claire LaBrunerie is a finance professional whose career has evolved from traditional capital markets into international economic development. Now semi-retired, she advises governments and philanthropic organizations on designing funds that expand access to capital for small and growing businesses, particularly in frontier markets. A childhood fascination with the Okefenokee Swamp led Claire to join the […]

Richard has been a presenter at national conventions in the fields of science and mathematics over the past decade. He earned a master’s degree from Connecticut State University after graduating from Saint Michael’s College. The subject of World Fairs has held his interest for some time after attending the New York and Montreal fairs.

Donna is a classically-trained pastry chef with over 20 years of experience running her business in hospitality. She has spent her career creating a wide variety of baked goods with a French flair. She enjoys working with people and creating fun, delicious memories.

Elizabeth McCollum is a fiduciary flat-fee financial advisor. After a successful career in corporate finance, human resources, marketing, and operations culminating as US CEO for an international food company, she fulfilled her passion for personal finance by becoming a Certified Financial Planner(tm) and a Certified Estate Planner(tm) working at Vanguard as an advisor and chief […]

Barbara and Kevin are both retired nurses who have lived in Celebration almost 10 years. Kevin worked in medical sales and Barbara was in pediatrics. While Barbara has always done crafts and is an award-winning quilter, Kevin spent his free time in their gardens. They have also traveled extensively throughout the world. Since retirement they […]

Jason is a 24-year resident of Celebration and a 30-year software engineer at Disney. He’s always had an interest in mechanical things and really dove into the classic car hobby with a ground-up rebuild of a 1966 VW Beetle. He ended up taking an interest in the Model T after completing that project, acquiring his […]

W. L. Newkirk is an award-winning American playwright best known for his thought-provoking works for the stage. His multi-award-winning play [Miss] received the prestigious Charles M. Getchell New Play Prize from the Southeastern Theatre Conference. Based on true events, [Miss] tells the story of Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey and her crucial role in preventing the […]

David and his wife have been Celebration residents for over six years. Since he was a teenager, he has been interested in anything mechanical, and that has graduated to his love of cars. For many decades, he sought out and collected classic Porsche and Ferrari sports cars, many of which he restored to “as new.” […]

When he was 11 years old and while gazing at the stars in his backyard with his family, his brother-in-law asked him, “How many of the stars out there do you think are now burned out?” He was confused and replied that he didn’t understand. The stars had to still be burning because he could […]

Dr. Pearson taught applied statistics at the University of Pennsylvania, authored a textbook on the topic (Statistical Persuasion), and has written numerous articles on the use and misuses of federal statistics. He worked at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, where he earned a PhD in political science. He has taught […]

Before retiring from teaching in New York, Linda held various roles in education, including teaching high school computer art, serving as District Computer Coordinator and Director of a High School Academy of Information Technology. She has worked with personal computers since the 1980s and has been an iPhone user since 2010. In her free time […]

Meryl Rachlin has been an artist ever since she could draw a simple figure as a child. Her dad, an artist, recognized her talents and fostered her creative learning throughout her schooling. She attended Mass College of Art, majoring in graphic design. Meryl then went on to work on some of the very first computer […]

Dr. Debbie Reinhart is a Pegasus Professor Emerita at the University of Central Florida. Prior to her retirement in June 2021, she was Associate Vice President for Research and Scholarship at the University of Central Florida and a member of the Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering Department. She holds a B.S. in Engineering from Florida […]

Rachelle Richardson holds a BA in Portuguese (Linguistics minor) and an MS in Business (Marketing) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After working at several advertising agencies on national clients, she opened a one-woman shop, where she was an award-winning marketing strategist, creative director, copywriter and broadcast producer, working on such assignments as the American Girl […]

Alexis Saire, MEd, MA, is a Health and Fitness Educator and Certified Personal Trainer at AdventHealth Wellness Center Celebration. Prior to her many years in Florida, she was a faculty member at Penn State University and community colleges, as well as an educator at hospital and rehab centers. Alexis has been a conference presenter for […]

Don Salvo, a member of Actors’ Equity, performed in over 60 musicals with the Kenley Players. A published and produced playwright, Don’s play, “Unraveled,” a Heideman Award Finalist for Drama from the Actors Theatre of Louisville, was produced twice off-Broadway and introduced Joe Manganiello to New York audiences. Don is a co-founder of Pittsburgh Public […]

Dolores Salvo was an educator and administrator in Math and English. She has conducted workshops in pedagogy and educational technology at the regional, state and national levels. Dolores and her husband, Don, have offered many Lifelong Learning courses and lectures since 2013 and are the facilitators of the Lifelong Learning Book Club.

Arlene has a BA in Anthropology from the University of Puerto Rico and a JD from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. Arlene spent twenty-five years as a practicing attorney in the Courts of Puerto Rico, specializing in family law and children’s rights. She spent ten years teaching English. She studied painting with […]

Jane Wahl has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Florida. She earned a Six Sigma Black Belt, CPCU, CLU, and other designations throughout her career in the insurance industry. In addition to traditional insurance roles, she was a Process Manager, working to streamline operations and enhance quality, and training others […]

Linda is a retired music educator and band director. She has experience teaching K-12 and college.

Nick White is an FAA-certified commercial hot-air balloon pilot and flight instructor with more than 46 years of aviation experience. Over the course of his career, he has competed in prestigious national and international balloon events earning numerous honors, including 4th place in the Battle Creek International Balloon Championship and the title of Wisconsin State […]

Becky White brings a lifetime of learning and curiosity to everything she does. She began her career as a medical technologist, then traded microscopes for computers as a K–12 Technology Director. Later she traveled the country as a software product manager and trainer, became a high school librarian, and even owned a business for repurposing […]

Dan is a Certified Financial Planner and the Managing Partner of Evershore Financial Group, an independent, comprehensive financial services firm located in Orlando, Palm Beach Gardens, and Boca Raton. The driving motivation throughout his career has been to bring a high level of experience, education, and financial know-how to both the industry and his clients. […]