Annamarie Fernyak is the founder and CEO of Mind Body Align LLC based in Mansfield, Ohio. She is a certified life coach, mindfulness meditation teacher, and serial entrepreneur. The development of the MBAwareness Education Program was conceived while Annamarie was volunteering to teach mindfulness in a local middle school and found that the teachers and students were struggling to grow calm for their guest teacher, students seemed unable to pay focused attention, and the teachers were growing frustrated.

Annamarie’s focus was to create a program that would transform the lives of the students. She focused on hiring a licensed teacher to create and instruct the mindfulness-based social and emotional learning curriculums to elementary and secondary school students and teachers. Due to the challenges associated with global health concerns, Annamarie’s mindfulness education program is further now evolving into online mindfulness education focusing on teaching tools that reduce stress and support a life where people can feel more at ease. We also teach as a part of corporate wellness programs.

In 2017, Annamarie launched Align Mindfulness which is a FREE app downloadable from your app store that sends prompts a few times a day, bringing attention to what’s happening in your world. Intentionally simple, these reflections help you build a well-rounded “mindfulness” muscle by offering variety in where you place your awareness.

Mind Body Align's President is Jennifer Blue. No stranger to small business, Jen is a community leader, an entrepreneur, and a published author who has led several successful startups. Responsible for overseeing the creation and implementation of all programs and events offered at the historic Butterfly House, home of Mind Body Align, as well as overseeing all operations for the company.

Jennifer has worked alongside entrepreneurs and visionaries in various industries and positions over her 30-year management career. A Mansfield, Ohio native, Jen returned to Ohio after living and working in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as South Florida. She studied political science at Otterbein College and the University of Louisville. Adventure, creativity, and new challenges are “musts” in her life; these drives have led Jen to work as a freelance writer, chef, and abstract artist.

As the Chief Operating Officer for Mind Body Align, Linda is in charge of all aspects of daily business operations. Her unique experience, skill-set, creativity, and excellent insights allow her to design projects and processes that allow our team to be successful. 

Linda and her husband travel around the country for their work in auto racing. Living proof that auto racing and mindfulness go hand-in-hand, Linda is also a 200hr yoga instructor, has an active mindfulness practice, is a  health coach, and is a laughter yoga leader who believes we all must incorporate more laughter and play into our daily lives. In her free time, Linda likes to hike, dance, paddleboard, sing off-key, and spend time with family. 

Mary Kennard is the Creative Director for Mind Body Align, LLC. A Richland County, Ohio native, Mary earned a degree in Art History from Bowling Green State University in 2008 and focused on the development and support of non-profits prior to joining MBA. Always working to break down barriers, Mary strives to elevate wellness for individuals and companies, making it a part of their personal and professional cultures. Kennard oversees all opportunities for creatively engaging clients and designing fantastic educational materials for clients.

Caryl Church Jesseph (she/her) is a Curriculum and Education Developer and Mindful Educator with Mind Body Align. An ODE licensed educator for grades kindergarten through 12, Caryl taught for 15 years in public schools. She is also a certified yoga teacher, published writer, and exhibited artist. Caryl was honored with the Northeast Ohio Outstanding Art Educator Award. 

Caryl earned her Master's Degree in Art Education from Kent State University. Her work as an educator and content creator is complimented by her studies and is made more impactful by including storytelling, visual art, movement, play, and ecological connection. She is passionate about creating welcoming, safe, inclusive, equity-focused spaces that support people's mindful awareness and connection to self, others, and the natural world. In her spare time, Caryl can often be found photographing wildflowers, writing stories, or enjoying live music.

Kathy Beres is a team member of the MBA Education and Product Development teams. She designs and presents educational products and tools.  She creates mindful strategies and practices to guide and support teachers and students in creating an optimal environment for learning, both within one’s thoughts and choices, as well as in the
classroom.

Kathy earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Buffalo State College and holds a
teaching license from the Ohio Department of Education. She has enjoyed teaching for over 20 years in
the Mansfield community.

Kathy is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoys many hobbies including writing, creating and
travel.

Brenda Engelman is a Mindful Educator for the MBAwareness Educational Program, where she teaches engaging social-emotional lessons to students in the classroom.  She has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from The University of Findlay and is licensed by the Ohio Department of Education.  She has experience teaching in general as well as special education classrooms and is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children.

When she is not at work, Brenda can be found spending time with her family.  She enjoys reading, listening to music, and experiencing the beauty of nature.  She is a lifelong learner who values wellness, personal growth, and mindful living.