Jeremy Holloway, PhD, Tellegacy Founder, Professor
Dr. Jeremy Holloway is a previous Geriatric Professor and Director of Geriatric Education at the University of North Dakota, and current Health, Equity & Justice Professor at New Mexico Highlands University. He specializes in resiliency, self-efficacy, and connectedness of individuals. His curriculum helps combat the Social Isolation and Loneliness of older adults. He is also a Social Determinants of Health leader and curriculum specialist with 20 years of professional and global experience. Dr. Holloway has started an intergenerational and interdisciplinary program focused on decreasing the sense of isolation and loneliness of older adults. Dr. Holloway has led strategic planning, program design, and assisted in the implementation for over 30 groups and organizations, in 10 countries for multiple organizations and sectors of healthcare, business, church ministries, and higher education.
Kayla Holloway, Certified Nursing Specialist
Jennifer Knapp, Licensed Clinical Counselor and Licensed Social Worker
Jennifer has worked as a certified counselor and social worker for over 10 years in psychiatric hospitals, community mental health agencies, and now is in private practice working with young adults and geriatric populations who are counseling those wanting to overcome personal obstacles that life brings and to improve their quality of life and relationships. Jennifer also provides educational trainings on how somatic therapies, specifically Dance/Movement Therapy is influential in addressing the life changes of individuals, moving them from anxiety, stress, and depression to more harmony, wholeness, and over wellbeing and satisfaction of life.
Joshua Freitas, Memory and Dementia Care Specialist
Gary Malcom, Chief Business Development Officer
For more than 25 years, Gary has been a successful Director of Operations, General Manager, and Entrepreneur, developing multiple businesses and training thousands of people. His passion is moving companies and the people who own them forward, from long-standing traditional brick & mortar to tech startups. Gary enjoys speaking, training, developing, and coaching, helping others discover rewarding professional success and unprecedented personal fulfillment.
Heather Logrippo, Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Heather is a serial entrepreneur that enjoys helping cause based companies flourish. She enjoys finding creative solutions to everyday business problems and implementing programs and processes to execute those solutions. A doer by nature, there’s no task too small or issue to big for her to roll up her sleeves and tackle. Heather, an extraordinary leader, is working along side the team as she continues to grow her own mission-based consumer products company, Mom Bomb.
Brandon Reiter, CEO of Skyview CFO
Brandon worked as a banker at JP Morgan Chase in NYC. He then went on to work as the Finance Director for a premier summer camp. During the global pandemic, Brandon helped the camp navigate and plan after a year of no revenue. He spoke to other industry leaders, assisting them with their own fiscal strategies. His passion for helping small businesses when they need it most, sparked him to start Skyview CFO, where he currently assists over a dozen small businesses in strategic financial planning.
Ricardo Dukes, B.A., B.S., M.A., Ph.D (c), Grant Coordinator
Ricardo Dukes is a Professor of Nursing from Oakland, California. He is the owner of Newerpaths a consultancy that empower community-based organizations to continue their service to all vulnerable populations. My approach is very interdisciplinary drawing from a Biopsychosocial Cultural model in the Health Sciences. Courses Dukes enjoys teaching are Physiological Psychology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Pre/Pathophysiology, Basic and Advance Injuries, Evaluation and Prevention of Injuries, Health Policy and Equity, Health Economics for Managers, and Medical Anthropology. “I enjoy and love what I am blessed to do.”
Meet Our Interns
Maya Girn
Maya Girn
Major: I am a third-year bioengineering student at the University of Toledo.
Dream job after graduation: Ultimately, my dream job would be to serve in a health field that allows me to work with the elderly or individuals that do not have easy access to healthcare.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I joined Tellegacy because for the last three years I had worked as a server in the dining hall of a nursing home. Beyond my serving duties, I interacted with the residents on a personal level, learning about their youth and family. In the summer of 2020, I firsthand experienced the loneliness the residents felt due to the COVID restrictions in place as many could not see their family or interact with their friends. Thus, when I heard about Tellegacy I was eager to help make a difference. I look forward to working with the Tellegacy team and appreciate this opportunity.
Fun fact: A fun fact about me is that my favorite sports team is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Megha Girn
Megha Girn
Major: I am going into my third year studying Bioengineering at The University of Toledo.
Dream job after graduation: I do not have a specific dream job yet after graduation, but I aim to be working in the health profession where I am helping others, am happy, being challenged, and continuously improving personally and professionally.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I signed up to participate in Tellegacy because I have worked and volunteered at a nursing home since I was 16. This experience did not seem like a job as I truly enjoyed what I was doing. I loved spending time and learning from the residents. During lockdown, I would write positive messages for all of the residents, and I experienced firsthand how lonely the residents were when I returned back to work. When I heard about Tellegacy, when I returned back to school in the Fall, I was eager to join and help others beyond my local community. Overall, I am thrilled about this opportunity and am looking forward to all that we will accomplish.
Fun fact: One fun fact about me is that I enjoy cooking and love eating food from different cultures.
Esha Kashaboina
Esha Kashaboina
Major: I am a biology major at The University of Toledo.
Dream job after graduation: I aspire to be a future physician.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I joined Tellegacy to support my community during COVID, especially the isolated older adults who are experiencing loneliness. I wanted to take this opportunity to connect with the older generation, learn important lessons, and hear the advice they have for experiencing life. I hope through this internship I can further my impact and continue to support the residents.
Fun fact: I drove a snowmobile for the first time this year!
Eshita Kashaboina
Eshita Kashaboina
Major: I am a biology major at The University of Toledo.
Dream job after graduation: I want to become a physician who specializes in nephrology.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I joined Tellegacy because during the pandemic, forming connections has been difficult as many facilities were unable to allow families to visit and spend time with their loved ones. I wanted to support elderly individuals by listening to their stories and hearing about the impact they have made in their lives.
Fun fact: I have never broken any bones!
Owais Sayeed
Owais Sayeed
Major: Neuroscience at University of Texas at Dallas.
Dream job after graduation: Working in a field where I can be of service to others and making smiles through everything I do.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I am passionate about spending time with others and learning from the stories of our elders.
Fun fact: I swam in a lake full of venomous snakes.
Courtney Carberry
Courtney Carberry
Major: Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work at Laurentian University.
Dream job after graduation: My dream job is to be a counselor.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I signed up with Tellegacy because the program really interests me. Getting to learn about other people’s life stories is something that I’ve been interested in.
Fun fact: I am very creative and have hobbies such as quilting, photography, and music.
Sophia Laliberte
Sophia Laliberte
Major: Exercise Science and Gerontology at University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Dream job after graduation: My dream job is to help people and work with the older community.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I am taking a class that allowed me to work with Tellegacy while having us build books about older peoples lives. I took a big interest in this program and decided that it would be a good fit for me once I started to get to know my partner. Plus I love getting to know people’s stories, it has always interested me.
Fun fact: I like to play golf and I went to regionals and states for all four years of high school.
Kristine Dragon
Kristine Dragon
Major: Sociology at Arizona State University.
Dream job after graduation: Sociological Research.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I love connecting with people and building relationships, my parents are older adults, and I have not been able to focus on this particular demographic yet.
Fun fact: I love storytelling, reading textbooks, and kayaking.
Evan Starr
Evan Starr
Major: 2nd-year Medical Student: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Bachelor’s degree: Public Health with a Minor in Gerontology
Dream job after graduation: Geriatric Family Physician.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I got involved with Tellegacy because I feel passionate about serving the older population. I feel that there is a glaring deficit in personalized care for older adults and subsequent training for emerging healthcare professionals. I feel that Tellagacy offers a unique opportunity to train students and engage with isolated individuals and improve the outcomes of both.
Fun fact: I had reconstructive jaw surgery and now have 6 plates and 55 screws in my face!
Harvin Samra
Harvin Samra
Major: Business Analytics
Dream Job After Graduation: Anything where I can assist others with their money management and find ways to increase revenue.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? Personally, My family has always taught me to respect my elders and absorb as much information as I can. Elders are living history and knowledge we can all benefit from!
Fun Fact: I traveled to 3 different states this past year
Godha Varshika Akkiraju
Godha Varshika Akkiraju
Junior at the University of Toledo working towards a bachelor’s degree in Science. She is currently in the Bacc2MD direct med program with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry and entrepreneurship. She is a passionate pre-medical student with previous volunteering and clinical healthcare experiences.
Sangeetha Pillai
Sangeetha Pillai
Major: Biology Major at the University of Toledo
Dream Job After Graduation: I want to become a physician who specializes in gynecology.
Why did you sign up for Tellegacy: I signed up for Tellegacy because I love interacting and connecting with elderlies. Ever since I was little, I’ve always done service to my community and volunteered at many nursing homes. By being part of Tellegacy, I will be able to continue my passion for assisting others and ensuring that the older residents don’t feel alone and that they have a sense of joy in the world.
Fun Fact: I love to dance and play tennis!
Zoe Cole
Zoe Cole
I am a medical student currently in my clinical rotations at Ross University School of Medicine. I am extremely passionate about wellness, specifically the overall wellness of the geriatric population and the medical community. My dream is to be an Emergency Medicine Physician with a fellowship in Geriatric Emergency Medicine. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor walks, participating in wellness-focused activities, and binging new Netflix series.
Aylia Naqvi
Aylia Naqvi
Major: This is my second year studying Biology at The University of Toledo.
Dream job after graduation: I am an aspiring physician! I hope to work with underrepresented populations and be both a compassionate and knowledgeable healthcare provider.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I decided to sign up for Tellegacy in 2020 to combat the isolation and loneliness that the pandemic brought on. I also had never really known my grandparents or had the opportunity to ask older adults for advice. Joining the program was the most fulfilling experience. I have built meaningful connections with all of my legacy holders, and they have all left a lasting impression on my view of life. I was told by a few of them that I am a good listener, and as an aspiring doctor, I hope to put that skill to use for all of my patients.
Fun fact: I love animals, and my family currently has 5 pets in one household: two cats, two birds, and one fish!
Honorary Chaplain
Dominic Francese, Chaplain
Dominic Francese is a veteran pastor, chaplain, and evangelistic musical performer. He currently serves as full-time Chaplain at Fox Run Retirement Community in Novi, MI, and as part-time Sr. Pastor at Solid Rock Church in Blissfield, MI. In addition, visitors to www.biblepop.com and www.cowboychurchonline.com will note his expertise with regard to entertainment-based evangelism. His Master of Divinity degree is from Regent University in Virginia Beach, his chaplaincy ordination is from the Christian & Missionary Alliance, his pastoral licensure is with the Missionary Church, USA, and his donor-based online and performance ministries are under the auspices of Artists in Christian Testimony, International, in Nashville. Dominic lives with his wife Kim in Milford, MI, and their four grown daughters reside out-of-state.
