Meet Our Team
The TomTod crew are a devoted gaggle of unique individuals from diverse backgrounds with one shared trait: we're superfans of middle schoolers and their ability to spark positive community change.
Check out our team below, our board that provides wisdom & strategic insight, and check out opportunities to join the fun!
Check out our team below, our board that provides wisdom & strategic insight, and check out opportunities to join the fun!
Kayla DeVittoLead Story Guide |
Patrick GerberTeam Guide & Adventure Curator |
Joel Daniel HarrisExecutive Dreamer |
Danisia JeboseLead Community Catalyst
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Rob LansdaleAdventure Curator |
Kim LinesHead Bean
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Amy FordLogistics Juggler
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Stacy UtechtAdventure Curator |
Zane SandersAdventure Curator |
Sam SloviskyAdventure Curator |
Team Bios
JDH
Joel Daniel Harris is the founder and Executive Dreamer of TomTod Ideas.
Working with middle schoolers through TomTod is JDH’s passion because “middle schoolers live in this prime real estate at the intersection of intellectual ability, imaginative capacity, and passionate energy. There is no group of more awkward, more lovable people on the planet, that have the capacity to initiate such impactful change.”
Born and raised in Canton, JDH is a graduate of Glenoak High School, received a Bachelor’s degree from Malone University, a Master’s degree from George Fox University, and is pursuing a Masters in Education Leadership currently through Harvard University.
A longtime community advocate, JDH is a graduate of the 26th class of Leadership Stark County, has since chaired multiple learning day committees, was part of the founding committee of Stark SOUP, has served on both the yStark and United Way Young Leaders Society steering committees and led multiple service learning trips for Malone University to the Taizé Monastery in France.
Joel Daniel has been honored to receive a number of community service awards including Canton Public Educators Association’s Layperson of the Year (2014), Malone University’s Young Alumnus of the Year (2012), Twenty under 40! award (2015), the DeHoff Emerging Philanthropist Award (2017), and was a Thirty Faces of Leadership Stark County Honoree (2017).
JDH, his wife Joy, and their two daughters (eight-year-old Everett and six-year-old Amelie) live in Canton City School District. As a family they enjoy walking to Vassar Park, spending time outside (usually tackling absurd landscaping projects), hiking (current goal is a hike a week in 2023), and navigating the chaos that is raising two tiny humans.
Working with middle schoolers through TomTod is JDH’s passion because “middle schoolers live in this prime real estate at the intersection of intellectual ability, imaginative capacity, and passionate energy. There is no group of more awkward, more lovable people on the planet, that have the capacity to initiate such impactful change.”
Born and raised in Canton, JDH is a graduate of Glenoak High School, received a Bachelor’s degree from Malone University, a Master’s degree from George Fox University, and is pursuing a Masters in Education Leadership currently through Harvard University.
A longtime community advocate, JDH is a graduate of the 26th class of Leadership Stark County, has since chaired multiple learning day committees, was part of the founding committee of Stark SOUP, has served on both the yStark and United Way Young Leaders Society steering committees and led multiple service learning trips for Malone University to the Taizé Monastery in France.
Joel Daniel has been honored to receive a number of community service awards including Canton Public Educators Association’s Layperson of the Year (2014), Malone University’s Young Alumnus of the Year (2012), Twenty under 40! award (2015), the DeHoff Emerging Philanthropist Award (2017), and was a Thirty Faces of Leadership Stark County Honoree (2017).
JDH, his wife Joy, and their two daughters (eight-year-old Everett and six-year-old Amelie) live in Canton City School District. As a family they enjoy walking to Vassar Park, spending time outside (usually tackling absurd landscaping projects), hiking (current goal is a hike a week in 2023), and navigating the chaos that is raising two tiny humans.
Pat
Patrick Gerber is the Team Guide and leads the Adventure Curator team. Patrick graduated from Malone University in 2015 with a degree in Organizational Management, and he has studied Child Development at Portland State and Mount Union.
Patrick’s diverse experience has been centered around journeying with children through trauma and helping them flourish emotionally, academically, and personally. but… Patrick still hopes to grow up to be a professional soccer player and win the World Cup.
Patrick has decades of experience in early adolescent education and nonprofit management. Before TomTod, Patrick feel grew his passion for empowering middle schoolers by teaching middle school and high school in alternative education settings and working as a coach, mentor, and mental health case manager.
For the past 10 years, Patrick and his wife, Jordan, have fallen in love with Canton and their neighborhood. When Patrick and Jordan aren’t walking their dogs in Stadium Park, they are usually hiking or kayaking someplace beautiful or at Taggart’s eating ice cream.
Patrick’s diverse experience has been centered around journeying with children through trauma and helping them flourish emotionally, academically, and personally. but… Patrick still hopes to grow up to be a professional soccer player and win the World Cup.
Patrick has decades of experience in early adolescent education and nonprofit management. Before TomTod, Patrick feel grew his passion for empowering middle schoolers by teaching middle school and high school in alternative education settings and working as a coach, mentor, and mental health case manager.
For the past 10 years, Patrick and his wife, Jordan, have fallen in love with Canton and their neighborhood. When Patrick and Jordan aren’t walking their dogs in Stadium Park, they are usually hiking or kayaking someplace beautiful or at Taggart’s eating ice cream.
Kayla
Kayla DeVitto, Lead Story Guide at TomTod Ideas, is originally from the Youngstown area, but after graduating from Malone University in 2013, she decided to call Canton home.
After graduation, Kayla spent a few years at a variety of Canton nonprofits before TomTod.
Kayla considers herself a combination of April and Andy from Parks and Rec, but secretly wishes she were a Leslie.
Kayla can be found taking her three kids (Ellie, Sophia, and Ronan) on walks at Sippo Lake Park, grabbing a donut from Johnnies Bakery, or thrifting for vintage home decor.
Her bucket list includes finishing an ultramarathon, singing in a musical, and running for public office. Her favorite part of her job is advocating for middle schoolers to be included in important decision-making which she plans on continuing forever.
After graduation, Kayla spent a few years at a variety of Canton nonprofits before TomTod.
Kayla considers herself a combination of April and Andy from Parks and Rec, but secretly wishes she were a Leslie.
Kayla can be found taking her three kids (Ellie, Sophia, and Ronan) on walks at Sippo Lake Park, grabbing a donut from Johnnies Bakery, or thrifting for vintage home decor.
Her bucket list includes finishing an ultramarathon, singing in a musical, and running for public office. Her favorite part of her job is advocating for middle schoolers to be included in important decision-making which she plans on continuing forever.
Zane
Zane Sanders has been a member of TomTod's Adventure Curator team since 2019. After graduating from Malone University in 2010, Zane spent many years in central Ohio working with students at the college level but returned to the area with his spouse and two children to build a life in Canton.
With nearly two decades of experience working with youth and young adults, Zane is excited to bring his curiosity and inventiveness to the TomTod team.
Zane is also a musician, writer, and Marvel connoisseur. Overall, Zane is a low-key, heuristic adventurer who seeks to inspire others to actively engage with the world and one another through intelligence, authenticity, and creativity.
With nearly two decades of experience working with youth and young adults, Zane is excited to bring his curiosity and inventiveness to the TomTod team.
Zane is also a musician, writer, and Marvel connoisseur. Overall, Zane is a low-key, heuristic adventurer who seeks to inspire others to actively engage with the world and one another through intelligence, authenticity, and creativity.
Sam
Sam graduated from Ohio State in 2016 with his degree in Community Leadership. Over the last 10 years Sam has worked with students in Akron, Columbus, and back to Akron since returning home in 2017. He most recently served as the Club Director for the Boys & Girls Club in Akron.
Sam discovered his passion for students while working at Camp Carl, and hasn’t stopped playing and keeping things crazy since. Sam is excited to be a part of TomTod and continue to bring amazing experiences to students in Canton and his hometown of Akron.
Sam and his wife, Paige, live in the Ellet neighborhood of Akron with their dog Josie. They love to explore the city finding the best restaurants and coffee shops. Sam has a passion for 80’s movies, cooking, and retro tennis shoes. He is able to connect with the middle school students over his love for video games and sports.
Sam credits much of who he is to the voices in his life during middle school and is excited to be a part of such important work at TomTod.
Sam discovered his passion for students while working at Camp Carl, and hasn’t stopped playing and keeping things crazy since. Sam is excited to be a part of TomTod and continue to bring amazing experiences to students in Canton and his hometown of Akron.
Sam and his wife, Paige, live in the Ellet neighborhood of Akron with their dog Josie. They love to explore the city finding the best restaurants and coffee shops. Sam has a passion for 80’s movies, cooking, and retro tennis shoes. He is able to connect with the middle school students over his love for video games and sports.
Sam credits much of who he is to the voices in his life during middle school and is excited to be a part of such important work at TomTod.
Rob
Rob graduated from Kentucky Christian University in 2007 with a Camp Management degree. He has spent almost 20 years working with youth in camp and church settings. He most recently served for 11 years as a youth minister in Canton, OH. Rob is very excited to bring his experience and knowledge to the TomTod team.
Rob and his wife (Robyn) live in Canton with their two daughters (Kaelyn and Emma). Rob has a passion for metal detecting, coffee, running/exercising, collecting comic books (Wolverine related specifically), Lego, all things Harry Potter and anything related to the Cincinnati Bengals. Who Dey!
Overall, Rob gets physically and emotionally excited about almost anything he’s passionate about. Just chat with him and you’ll find out. He loves being creative and encouraging others to be creative and think outside the box.
Rob and his wife (Robyn) live in Canton with their two daughters (Kaelyn and Emma). Rob has a passion for metal detecting, coffee, running/exercising, collecting comic books (Wolverine related specifically), Lego, all things Harry Potter and anything related to the Cincinnati Bengals. Who Dey!
Overall, Rob gets physically and emotionally excited about almost anything he’s passionate about. Just chat with him and you’ll find out. He loves being creative and encouraging others to be creative and think outside the box.
Amy
Amy Ford, Logistics Juggler for TomTod Ideas, doesn’t actually know how to juggle, but she loves to keep things organized.
Amy is originally from the suburbs on the west side of Cleveland, but after graduating from Malone University in 2016, she decided to call Stark County home. In the years following graduation, Amy worked for Four Kids Coffee as well as the North Canton YMCA, two places where her sense of community was deepened, her strengths were explored, and her love for keeping things organized and efficient was realized.
Outside of TomTod, she loves to create and craft with fiber, grow food in her garden, roller skate, read, and play fetch with Bowser, her German Shepherd. You can usually find her knitting a sweater or embroidering something floral while watching Gilmore Girls for the millionth time. She always has at least one book either in her purse or in her car, because, like Rory Gilmore, she never wants to be without something to read.
Amy is originally from the suburbs on the west side of Cleveland, but after graduating from Malone University in 2016, she decided to call Stark County home. In the years following graduation, Amy worked for Four Kids Coffee as well as the North Canton YMCA, two places where her sense of community was deepened, her strengths were explored, and her love for keeping things organized and efficient was realized.
Outside of TomTod, she loves to create and craft with fiber, grow food in her garden, roller skate, read, and play fetch with Bowser, her German Shepherd. You can usually find her knitting a sweater or embroidering something floral while watching Gilmore Girls for the millionth time. She always has at least one book either in her purse or in her car, because, like Rory Gilmore, she never wants to be without something to read.
Kim
Kim Lines, Head Bean of TomTod Ideas, graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2021 with a degree in Accounting and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Business Administration in Data Analytics. She is also currently an accountant for the Department of Defense.
Kim is a Hoover High School graduate and also took auto mechanics at Jackson High School. She is excited to be able to serve the community she grew up in because her middle school years were absolutely life changing. Kim spent much of her adolescence serving the community through the North Canton YMCA and was inducted into the YWCA Canton Women's Hall of Fame for her service.
Kim has found herself settled in the Columbus area with her husband Dylan, son Levi, and three cats, Nugget, Lowesy, and three-legged Clover. In her free time she enjoys drinking coffee with friends, playing retro video games, and antiquing with her family.
Kim is so excited to make a difference with TomTod!
Kim is a Hoover High School graduate and also took auto mechanics at Jackson High School. She is excited to be able to serve the community she grew up in because her middle school years were absolutely life changing. Kim spent much of her adolescence serving the community through the North Canton YMCA and was inducted into the YWCA Canton Women's Hall of Fame for her service.
Kim has found herself settled in the Columbus area with her husband Dylan, son Levi, and three cats, Nugget, Lowesy, and three-legged Clover. In her free time she enjoys drinking coffee with friends, playing retro video games, and antiquing with her family.
Kim is so excited to make a difference with TomTod!
Stacy
Stacy, Adventure Curator Extraordinaire, originally hails from the land of cheese and casseroles (Wisconsin!). She grew up navigating snow banks to her waist before heading to Chicago to attend Moody Bible Institute where she studied Bible and Theology. Knowing she had a heart for students early on, Stacy sought out Resident Director positions which is what landed her in glorious Canton, Ohio. She spent 10 years working with college students at Malone University while achieving her Masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Geneva College.
Students are one of Stacy's greatest passions and she is thrilled to be a daily part of the lives of Middle Schoolers. She finds no greater joy than seeing students grow in their confidence and purpose and then find the courage to show that to the world.
When not working with students, you can find Stacy hosting dinner and game nights with friends, exploring a blue lake on her little red kayak, or on a road trip visiting her 5 growing nieces. Her greatest values are family, building intentional community, and ice cream. Stacy's next goal is to go to 100 countries by the time she is 50, and she isn't far off!
Students are one of Stacy's greatest passions and she is thrilled to be a daily part of the lives of Middle Schoolers. She finds no greater joy than seeing students grow in their confidence and purpose and then find the courage to show that to the world.
When not working with students, you can find Stacy hosting dinner and game nights with friends, exploring a blue lake on her little red kayak, or on a road trip visiting her 5 growing nieces. Her greatest values are family, building intentional community, and ice cream. Stacy's next goal is to go to 100 countries by the time she is 50, and she isn't far off!
Danisia
Born and raised in the Rubber Capital of the World, Akron, Ohio, our Lead Community Catalyst is no stranger to the Akron/Canton community. After graduating from The University of Akron with a Communications degree, her love for learning, travel and adventure led her to The Big Apple for work and another advanced degree in Education.
Danisia Jebose boasts an eclectic combination of life experiences. From classroom teaching to missions work, both domestically and internationally, her passion for community connection and empowering youth permeates everything that she does.
When she's not busy dreaming up exciting ways to increase community engagement and connection for our partners and middle schoolers, she can be found binge watching HGTV, whipping up new recipes & road tripping with her husband, Valentine.
After many moons of travel and thousands of frequent flier miles, Danisia is excited to call Ohio "home" again and help spark change with TomTod.
Danisia Jebose boasts an eclectic combination of life experiences. From classroom teaching to missions work, both domestically and internationally, her passion for community connection and empowering youth permeates everything that she does.
When she's not busy dreaming up exciting ways to increase community engagement and connection for our partners and middle schoolers, she can be found binge watching HGTV, whipping up new recipes & road tripping with her husband, Valentine.
After many moons of travel and thousands of frequent flier miles, Danisia is excited to call Ohio "home" again and help spark change with TomTod.
Our Fearless Board of Directors
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