Our Board

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 I have a longstanding relationship with performing arts and storytelling. It’s something that has always come naturally to me (although not according to my 5th form English teacher who stated that my creative writing left something to be desired). Growing up in south-west England, I began performing as a child actor, experiencing the pressures and thrills of commanding audiences in prestigious venues that include The Royal Albert Hall, Glyndborne Royal Opera House, and The National Theatre. While passionate about theatre, an increasing interest in film saw me move from London to Los Angeles, the mecca for movie making. Combining my thirst for knowledge and flair for storytelling, I established myself as a producer and director of educational content before taking this knowledge into the realm of documentary film making. Never satisfied with doing just one thing, I have also had the joy of performing internationally as a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles to Dubai, composed music for a variety of film projects, consulted on script development, written numerous film projects, and produced countless hours of content. Having met a beautiful woman in Los Angeles brave enough to endure my constant creative undertakings, we relocated to the Great Lakes as a preferred environment to raise our two young boys. A new production company was launched and through that I am having a rewarding time working with a wide range of clients across a broad range of content. Recent projects include a collaboration with Girl Scouts of America in the creation of a film makers badge, a documentary on a rare genetic disorder that causes deaf-blindness, and a documentary that looks at the voting systems in different parts of the US democratic system. In my spare time, I ponder my extraordinary ability to grow weeds in the vegetable plot. 

 Ritambhara ( Ritu)  Mahna is currently the president of the Federation of India Community Association and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Shiva Vishnu Temple. She also serves as the Secretary of the Association of Indian Physicians of Ohio. Ritu has been an active member of the indian community in Ohio for the past 20 years. Over her tenure, she has planned several black tie fundraisers and organized concerts bringing in between 1800 and 2700 people. In the last 7 years she has raised a total of over $700,000 for a variety of causes.  Ritu is married to Dr. Satish Mahna and they have two children, Shali and Saar, who has two beautiful daughters with his wife.   

  Dr. Michael P. Shaughnessy was born and raised on Cleveland’s West Side and attended St. Ignatius High School. He attended Miami University and then the Medical College of Ohio, now part of University of Toledo. His internship was served at Riverside Hospital in Columbus and residency at Case Western Reserve University. His Cornea fellowship took place at the University of Texas Medical Center in Dallas. He began private practice with University Ophthalmology Associates, Inc. in 2002 where he remains today. Dr. Shaughnessy is a Comprehensive ophthalmologist with subspecialty training in Cornea and External Disease. He is the Medical Director of Brainard Surgery Center, an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Case Western Reserve University, a Cleveland Magazine “Top Doc”, and serves on several local medical boards. His clinical practice focuses on Cataract Surgery, Dry eye, Corneal Diseases, and Comprehensive Ophthalmology; including Diabetes, Glaucoma, and Macular Degeneration. He enjoys teaching, making family time with his wife, Kathy, and their three children; as well as running, cycling, triathlons, golf, woodworking, and drawing. 

 Ms. Stepan is a partner in Brouse Mcdowell’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. She is an Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Worker’s Compensation Law. Her Experience includes representing Employers before the Ohio Industrial commission as well as state courts. Linda is a graduate of Cleveland State University, magna cum laude, (BA, 1992) and Cleveland Marshall College of Law, cum laude, (JD,1991). She was named an Ohio Super Lawyer 2013-2015.   

 Mary Ellen Voiers is a graduate of Miami University in Business Economics with over 20 years’ experience in marketing and advertising in the Cleveland area. She spent ten years with Meldrum and Fewsmith Advertising where she became a Vice President, Account Supervisor and worked on accounts such as Mr. Coffee, University Hospitals, American Greetings and County Line Limited. She was also an Account Group Director for Brokaw Advertising.

In 2003, Mary Ellen became one of the founding members of Outrun Ovarian Cancer (OROC), a volunteer-driven, nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funds to eradicate ovarian cancer.  As Race Director, Mary Ellen helped establish an annual 5K event to raise money for research in northeast Ohio. To date, this grass roots organization has successfully raised and disbursed over $1.5 million. The race continues to attract over 2,300 participants annually.

Most recently, Mary Ellen worked for PNC Creative Services as a consultant and for American Greetings Interactive as an assistant editor. Mary Ellen’s passion for FVF is very personal as she battles Retinal Dystrophy, a rare genetic condition that results in the gradual loss of central vision.