Staff

Since December 2007, Steve has served as the founder and Executive Director of Crayons to Classrooms. Immediately prior to his work at C2C, he served five years as Director of Development for the Kids In Need Foundation, a national education nonprofit organization, now based in Minneapolis, MN. Steve also brings experience from 22 years of progressively responsible positions in retail management at companies including Target Corporation and Macy’s Department Stores. He is a graduate of Drury University and has continued his education in the nonprofit sector at the University of St. Thomas and Indiana University. He is a graduate of Aileron’s Course for Presidents, Leadership Dayton, class of 2010 and the Emerging Leader Program at the University of Dayton.

Steve is very active in the Dayton community. He is a member of the Dayton Rotary Club and serves as a trustee on their charitable foundation board of directors. He has also been a long-time member of the Dayton Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He currently serves on the national Resource Center Council of the Kids In Need Foundation and was a past member of their board of trustees. Steve was also a past trustee of The Human Race Theater Company.

In his spare time, Steve enjoys traveling, playing golf, Pilates, family activities, and watching his favorite sports teams – Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and the Missouri Tigers. Steve is married to Karen and they have one son, Elliot. Steve is a native of Springfield, Missouri.

Dave became a member of the Crayons to Classrooms team in February 2016. He works in the warehouse and retail operations part of the organization. Dave has over 20 years’ experience in the Dayton area in manufacturing and warehousing/logistics as a plant manager and warehouse manager. A native of Michigan, Dave is a graduate of Michigan State University, and spent four years as a Supply Officer in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Rhode Island, Georgia, and Scotland.

Dave is married to Jenny Warner, and he enjoys reading, hiking, cycling, and is an avid fan of MSU teams as well as Detroit sports teams. Dave has three children – Drew, Ethan, and Hannah; and also two dogs – Monk and Tillie.

Amy joined the Crayons to Classrooms team in 2020 as the Director of Development. She comes to the organization from the Dayton Children’s Hospital Foundation where she managed the Children’s Miracle Network program. Amy is a graduate of Wright State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and has over 18 years of experience in non-profit development. Amy enjoys yoga, gardening, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Matt, have two children: Bryce and Aubrey. Their favorite travel destination is Tennessee, but they also make annual trips to Wisconsin.

Carlye joined Crayons to Classrooms in June, 2018. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations from Eastern Kentucky University in 2011. Prior to joining DC2C, Carlye lived in Lexington, Kentucky and worked for the Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road. She loves to volunteer for organizations that she is passionate about including Girl Scouts and Chi Omega Sorority.

As a native Daytonian, Carlye is excited to serve her home community and develop new relationships through this role. In her free time, Carlye enjoys spending time with her family, all types of crafting and spending time in the great outdoors. Carlye and her husband Andrew enjoy traveling, discovering local places, and watching their favorite sports teams – the Cincinnati Bengals, Dayton Flyers and UK Wildcats.

Jeff has 17 years of experience working in warehousing and logistics, most recently as manager at Frontgate/Cornerstone in West Chester, Ohio.  He joined Crayons to Classrooms in 2019 as Warehouse Supervisor. Born and raised in Hamilton, Ohio, Jeff enjoys kayaking, working out, and video games.  He roots for the Cincinnati Bengals and he’s also a bit of a movie buff.  He has 2 dogs, Harvey and Bo.

Malena joined Crayons to Classrooms in June 2022 as the Marketing Coordinator. She graduated from Cedarville University in 2022 where she completed her degree in Strategic Communication. Throughout college, Malena worked as a camp counselor, administrative staff member, and an event director. Malena is originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but after 4 years of college in the Midwest, she decided to stay! She loves being a part of an organization who cares for teachers and students by providing them with the supplies needed to succeed.

In her free time, Malena enjoys going to amusement parks, playing pickleball, watching sports, and reading. She also enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and experiencing new cultures!

Kathy joined the Crayons to Classrooms team in August 2020 as the Development Assistant. She has experience running her own business and acting as Treasurer in several school parent organizations. A Dayton native, Kathy has traveled around the US and settled down in her hometown to raise her family. She is a graduate of Wright State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and an active community volunteer.

Kathy and her husband, Curt, have two children: Taylor and Justin. She enjoys hiking, boating, water sports, and the great outdoors – especially spending time at their cabin in Tennessee with her family and friends.

Debbie started with Crayons to Classrooms first as a volunteer in 2013, and now works part time in our office, assisting our Program Managers and working with our internal systems. Before joining Crayons to Classrooms, Debbie worked for Perficient Inc. as part of their help desk and internal system support, and also worked as an independent contractor. Debbie and her husband John are avid readers and gamers, and love to travel. Debbie also scrapbooks and has a keen interest in culinary experiments.

Danielle joined Crayons to Classrooms in June 2013 as a Program Manager. She now focuses on fund development via grant writing. Prior to joining DC2C, she spent 6 years working in public schools in Dayton and Chicago with the Neighborhood School Center and Community Schools Programs.  At those schools, she held an administrator role where she was responsible for extra-curricular activities, parent engagement, and community partnerships. She has also previously worked with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Grants and Contracts Management and as an Americorps Volunteer. She strongly believes in providing resources and opportunities for teachers and students in need, and is excited to continue that work through her role here at Crayons to Classrooms.

In her spare time, Danielle loves to travel, play tennis, and read, but doesn’t have much spare time with her four children. She has been married to her husband for over 15 years, and they are both very involved in their church.