Our Team

MAWI ASGEDOM

FOUNDER

Mawi has spent more than 20 years helping youth unlock their potential. He has trained millions of educators and students, and collaborated with many leading youth development organizations. His work has been featured by the media, including Oprah Winfrey, who named her interview with Mawi one of her top 20 moments. A father of four school-aged kids, Mawi can often be found coaching youth sports on the weekends.

ALISSA LASOVAGE

Editorial Director

Alissa has been writing for kids, educators, and families for more than 20 years, at organizations including Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Highlights for Children, and Thomson Reuters. When she's not in the midst of a parenting adventure with her twin boys, she likes to read, travel, and spend time outdoors. Alissa is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

ANDREW MISISCO

ILLUSTRATOR

Andrew is a fantasy illustrator, world builder, and cartoonist known for his ability to bring magical realms and captivating stories to life. His artistry extends from books to comics anthologies to tabletop games.

WEYKYOI KORE

DESIGNER

Weykyoi Victor Kore is a creative specialist based in Chicago who helps organizations, groups, and individuals create sustainable, profitable brands online and in the real world.

SEAN DOVE

Concept Artist

Sean is an accomplished cartoonist known for his comics series and retro-inspired illustrations. He’s worked with companies including Marvel, McDonald’s, Lion Forge Comics, and Hasbro. Sean calls Chicago home, where he resides with his wife and daughter.

Titus Veldhouse

AI Specialist

Titus Veldhouse is an AI specialist who leverages generative AI for content brainstorming and storyboarding. He merges cutting-edge machine learning techniques with creative insights to streamline innovative storytelling processes.

Experts and Advisors

KERRY GALARZA

MS, OTR/L

Kerry is a pediatric occupational therapist and clinical director of a private counseling firm, where she provides specialized assessment and therapeutic intervention with children and families. 

AMANDA HOFBAUER

MA, LMFT

Amanda is a mother of two and a licensed couple and family therapist in both Illinois and Colorado. She owns her own private practice and has helped develop social-emotional learning curriculum used in schools across the country.

DR. JOHANNA EVEN

EdD

Dr. Johanna Even has 30 years of experience in public education, as a teacher, instructional coach, principal, leadership coach, consultant, curriculum developer, and district leader. She co-authored the book Engaging English Learners For Classroom Success, with Inner Heroes founder Mawi Asgedom. Johanna is also a certified yoga instructor.

RACHEL URBAN

LCSW

Rachel is a licensed clinical social worker who works with young children and families with behavioral health needs in all levels of mental health care. 

STEVE RITTER

LCSW

Steve is the founder and executive director of a private therapy, coaching, and counseling firm; a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives; a licensed clinical social worker; and a faculty member of the Center for Professional Excellence at Elmhurst University.

DR. CAMILLE A. FARRINGTON

PhD

Dr. Camille Farrington is a Managing Director, Senior Research Associate, and Co-Director of the Equitable Learning & Development Group at the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. Camille partners with educators, school and district leaders, scholars, youth, and families to reimagine and transform public education to support human learning, development, and well-being.

DR. NIVINE MEGAHED

PhD

Dr. Nivine Megahed is president of National Louis University, and past president of the University of Sarasota and Kendall College in Chicago. Nivine has also worked as a psychologist in private practice and as an educational and programmatic consultant for universities around the world on issues related to curriculum and university development, digital applications in higher education, promoting women in leadership, and championing educational equity.

DANA CHAMBERLIN

ADVISOR

Dana has experience working in data analytics, consumer insights, and market research. Outside of work she enjoys trying new restaurants, writing and playing music, and exploring Chicago. Dana graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a BS in Psychology.

OUR FOUNDING STORY

As a child, our founder Mawi Asgedom fled his home in Ethiopia, spending three years in a refugee camp before being resettled in the U.S. Language barriers, financial struggles, and personal tragedy created obstacle after obstacle in his life. 

With the help of mentors, Mawi gained confidence, discovered his strengths, and grew in his sense of self. He earned a scholarship to Harvard University, where he gave the commencement address to an audience of 30,000 people at his own graduation. 

Since then, Mawi has become a leading expert on youth success. Over the last 25 years, Mawi has partnered with over 1,000 school districts to help millions of kids unlock their potential.

Today, Mawi and the Inner Heroes Universe team continue to pioneer new ways to empower children. Starting with books and leading into video games, animations, apps, and more, Inner Heroes Universe brings the science of mental health to life through dynamic art and engaging stories that help kids conquer life’s challenges.