Our Team



Leadership Staff
  • Jeff Bryan
    Co-Founder and CEO
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    Jeff Bryan

    Co-Founder and CEO


    Jeff Bryan is the co-founder and CEO of The Positivity Project. A 2004 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he served in the Army for five years, to include two tours in Iraq. In 2006, Jeff was a platoon leader in Saba al Bour, and in 2008-09, he was an engagements officer in southern Baghdad. After leaving the military, Jeff earned a master’s degree from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. He was subsequently a Presidential Management Fellow (PMF) in Washington and Jerusalem with the U.S. Department of State. A native of Niskayuna, New York, Jeff developed a passion for sports at an early age, leading him to serve as a lacrosse team captain and earn all-America honors twice while at West Point. He and his wife, Patti, and their two daughters live in Savannah, GA.

  • Kelly Williams
    Director of Finance and Administration

    Kelly Williams

    Director of Finance and Administration


    Kelly Williams serves as The Positivity Project's Director of Finance and Administration. She is a highly experienced accounting professional with over 20 years of experience in multiple industries. Her passion for accounting has driven her to continuously improve her skills and stay up-to-date with the latest accounting practices and technologies, including financial technology (FINTECH) and accounting software integrations.

  • Melissa Killingbeck
    Curriculum Manager

    Melissa Killingbeck

    Curriculum Manager


    Melissa Killingbeck is the Curriculum Manager for The Positivity Project and is responsible for ensuring our resources are at their highest quality. Melissa earned her bachelor's degree and teaching certificate in elementary education and holds a Master's in Education with certification in K-12 administration. Before joining the P2 team, Melissa was a successful P2 Partner School principal in Flushing, Michigan, where she worked for 25 years as a teacher, instructional coach, and principal. After retiring from public education in 2019, Melissa relocated to northern Michigan with her husband Casey and their Silver Lab, Tank. When not knee-deep in P2 resources, Melissa can be found rockhounding along a lakeshore, enjoying a boat ride with Casey and Tank, or “downstate” visiting their two grown children.

  • Dominic Frisina
    Training and Professional Learning Manager

    Dominic Frisina

    Training and Professional Learning Manager


    Dominic Frisina is the Growth Operations Manager of The Positivity Project. While at SUNY Potsdam, Dominic served as soccer team captain while completing a BA in History and a Master of Science in Teaching Childhood Education (1-6). Dominic taught in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Syracuse at the elementary and middle levels while coaching basketball, soccer -- and receiving teacher of the year honors. Dominic also holds a NYS (K-12) School Building Leader Certification. As a Principal of Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Charter School, Dominic led the opening and expansion of two school buildings in Syracuse, NY which were successfully replicated in Rochester, NY. As a P2 Partner, Dominic built the foundation of his school through relationships and engagement with families, receiving honors for community service. He and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Fayetteville, NY, with their two children.

  • Meghan Ward
    Implementation Specialist

    Meghan Ward

    Implementation Specialist


    Meghan Ward is the Implementation Specialist at The Positivity Project. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her master’s degree in Reading Literacy from the University of South Florida. Meghan taught in Tampa, Florida for six years where she was a two time Teacher of the Year recipient. She had the privilege of being able to go to Cambridge, England during her master’s program where she served as a literacy mentor to teachers across the pond. Meghan returned home to Central New York in 2017 where she was a founding member of Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Charter School. She began as a literacy specialist, moved into a school wide coaching role and was then appointed as principal in 2023. Meghan witnessed the positive relationship changes that Positivity Project fostered within the school as referable incidents decreased from 1,672 to 116 in just one year. Last year, her school had the honor of being named a P2 Green Shield school. In her free time, you can find Meghan reading, dabbling with photography, or trying out a new recipe. Meghan and her partner, Alex, reside in Liverpool, NY.

  • Ted Kalomiris
    School Partnerships Manager

    Ted Kalomiris

    School Partnerships Manager


    Ted Kalomiris serves as The Positivity Project’s School Partnerships Manager. He has over 20 years of experience working with teachers and school administrators -- and brings a keen desire to build relationships and help educators achieve their core objectives. With the belief that feeling comfortable at school is foundational to learning, Ted loves what The Positivity Project means for educators, students, and parents. He served in the U.S. Army with the 1st Infantry Division and deployed during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Ted lives in Austin, TX, with his wife, three grown kids, two dogs, and their three-legged cat.

  • Frank Adamo
    Ed Tech Coordinator

    Frank Adamo

    Ed Tech Coordinator


    Frank Adamo has been a public school teacher in Niskayuna, NY since 2001. He earned a master’s degree in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology from the University at Albany, and has earned National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards in Early Adolescent English-Language Arts. Frank has worked with middle school English students throughout his career to build strong reading, writing and communication skills. He has developed curriculum to help students build an understanding of social media and the role that each of us takes in creating and maintaining our own digital footprint. Frank has presented to parents, students and teachers and administrators on the benefits of using technology in the classroom as well as the opportunities and drawbacks of social media in the digital age. He lives in Glenville, NY with his wife and two children.

  • Denise Erwin
    Support Specialist

    Denise Erwin

    Support Specialist


    Denise Erwin is the Support Specialist at The Positivity Project. She is a retired customer service representative who spent 20 years assisting faculty and students at Syracuse University. Since retirement, Denise has found many ways to continue to assist others as a volunteer in a variety of service organizations, including as a Board member of the Lowville Food Pantry, the Lake of the Pines Landowners Association, and her Church, Saint Hedwigs. Denise was instrumental in the initial operations of Team Red White & Blue, serving veterans. Today, Denise spends her free time traveling to see her grandchildren and hiking in the Adirondack mountains.

  • Stephanie DiNola
    Secondary Curriculum Developer

    Stephanie DiNola

    Secondary Curriculum Developer


    Stephanie DiNola is a secondary curriculum developer for The Positivity Project. She graduated from the University of San Diego with her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts for education. Her teaching career took her from California to Italy, Texas, and finally North Carolina. During those seven years, she taught language arts, social studies, and math in both elementary and middle school. Her passion for teaching was rooted in the relationships she developed with her students and colleagues. Because of this interest in relationships, she earned her master's degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Kansas during her time as a teacher. She is thrilled to combine her love of the classroom and curriculum with her deep interest in psychology and social and emotional needs. When she is not geeking out on analyzing the 24 character strengths in all the media she encounters, she is wrangling her three young daughters with her husband at their home near Savannah, Georgia.

  • Ingram Milam
    Secondary Curriculum Developer

    Ingram Milam

    Secondary Curriculum Developer


    Ingram Milam is a secondary curriculum developer for The Positivity Project. She is a North Carolina Teaching Fellow and graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in Middle School Education. She taught middle school language arts and social studies in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. During her eleven years in the classroom, she worked on various SEL committees, district curriculum teams, and school advisory boards and is excited to use the knowledge gained through those experiences to develop P2 content for middle and high school students. She has always believed that developing relationships with and among students is essential to developing passionate, involved, and eager learners within the classroom as well as healthy, positive, and strong leaders outside the walls of the school. In her free time, you can find her hiking, running, or biking around Greenville, South Carolina with her family.

  • Myranda Oxendine
    Accounting & Customer Service Specialist

    Myranda Oxendine

    Accounting & Customer Service Specialist


    Myranda became an integral part of the P2 Team in February 2023, assuming the Accounting & Customer Service Specialist role. Armed with a finance degree earned in 2020 and enriched by two years at a public accounting firm, she now dedicates her expertise to various facets within the accounting department. Her responsibilities extend beyond accounting to promptly addressing inquiries or issues related to school or district invoicing, purchase orders, or vendor payments to ensure smooth operations within The Positivity Project.

  • Melissa DiNola
    Elementary Curriculum Developer

    Melissa DiNola

    Elementary Curriculum Developer


    Melissa DiNola, an elementary curriculum developer for The Positivity Project, leverages her rich education and child development background to provide an early childhood lens for The Positivity Project's resources. A University of Maryland alumni and former Division 1 soccer player, Melissa’s passion for understanding child development and fostering close interpersonal relationships led her to earn a degree in Family Science. Melissa's career in education began with teaching preschool for many years in Maryland. Her commitment to early childhood education continued when she relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, accompanying her husband, a Navy Pilot. With over ten years of experience, she has significantly contributed to curriculum development and school wellness programs, integrating P2 lessons into her classrooms. At The Positivity Project, Melissa uses her classroom insights to craft impactful educational content for young learners. Committed to The Positivity Project's goals, she believes in nurturing positive development and psychology in children for long-term success. Outside work, she enjoys unwinding with a good book and exploring nature alongside her husband and four young children, embodying her well-rounded approach to life.

  • Tara Crisafulli
    Content Manager

    Tara Crisafulli

    Content Manager


    Tara Crisafulli is the P2 Content Manager. Anything file or Google Drive related usually lands in her wheelhouse. Tara has spent the last several years teaching middle school English. She earned her MAT in English Education from Clarkson University with NYS certification for 5th-12th Grade. Currently, she resides at The Albany Academies as the 7th Grade Dean and English teacher. When not in her classroom or behind a computer, Tara can be found coaching Track and Field or guiding other coworkers in the implementation of various platforms in their classrooms. Fun Fact: Mondays are Tara's favorite day of the week, and she considers herself a breakfast sandwich connoisseur.

  • Mike Erwin
    Co-Founder
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    Mike Erwin

    Co-Founder


    Mike Erwin is the co-founder of The Positivity Project. A 2002 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he served in the Army on Active Duty for 13 years, to include three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves. In 2010, Mike founded Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), a non-profit organization that enriches veterans’ lives by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. He serves as on the Board for the organization, now 198 chapters and 223,000 members strong. Mike earned his master’s degree in positive psychology and leadership, under the tutelage of Chris Peterson, from the University of Michigan — and taught leadership at West Point. He is the co-author of Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude and Leadership is a Relationship: How to Put People First in the Digital Age. Mike and his wife, Genevieve, live on a 32 acre Homestead outside Fort Bragg, NC, with their five children.