Meet the Staff
Jerry J. Devis – Executive Director
Jerry provides direction and administration for the overall scope of the Foundation and the Center. Jerry also guides the plans for individual arts programming. He seeks and engages musicians, dance professionals and artists from the community to lead and interact with participants.
He is an advocate and visionary for individuals and families impacted by dementia. He leads many of the programs or invites guest artists, musicians, storytellers, poets, and others to plan and conduct arts experiences for the audience.
His art career spans four decades with Parma City Schools having taught all levels K-12. He also served as the System wide Elementary Art Facilitator liason between the art staff and curriculum administration. Jerry also taught as an adjunct faculty member in Art Education at Baldwin Wallace University and Kent State University, both of which are his alma mater.
During most of his career, he has been involved in working with youth and adults with special needs. He served as the Board President of Arts for All, Northeast Ohio, an arts enrichment program primarily for individuals with developmental disabilities. He created a successful program titles “Art Works” to provide art classes for adults with special needs. Each year, the program hosted nearly 1000 children and youth from Greater Cleveland at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.
Kate Fayen – Accountant
Kate Fayen is our accountant and shares her financial expertise from both public accounting and private industry. She has business degrees from Baldwin-Wallace University and the University of Cincinnati. Kate was pleased to learn that Dr. Charlie was on the Lakewood Hospital staff with her late father, Dr. William J. Fayen. She is a proud member of a large, westside Irish family.
Nadine Kodysz – Community Outreach Coordinator
Nadine shares her enthusiasm for the Farrell Foundation from both her professional and personal backgrounds of working and caring for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia. She has been a caregiver for several family members.
Her lifetime career as an Activities Director in a long-term care facility gave her the opportunity to share her many interests and talents. As a violinist, she realized the value of using music in working with the elderly and the affect it had on enriching their lives.
Nadine was a member of the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra for 37 years as well as a member of many other musical ensembles. She continues to play her violin and knows it has a powerful influence, particularly by those affected by dementia, and observes how it can bring back memories and put smiles on faces.
Nadine is pleased to be designated as the Community Outreach Coordinator as we reach out to those affected by this disease and their care partners.
Linda Santanen – Graphic Designer
Linda has always thought of herself as an artist, drawing from the time she could pick up a crayon. She graduated from Cooper School of Art with a degree in Design Illustration. Linda went on to work at American Greetings for 27 years creating art for humorous cards and various other products. She now enjoys working at the Foundation doing their graphic design. Linda loves all animals, but is especially fond of cats. She lives with her kitty Jezzie.
