Meet Our Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall guiding policy and strategic direction of International Kindness Reset (IKR) and delegates the day-to-day operations to the executive directors.
Tom Y. Sawyer, CO, USA
Chair, Board Of Directors
Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from the University of Florida. He is currently retired from a career as a software and technology executive. He served as an information technology executive for the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Division.
Tom is a founder of a dotcom and the founding President and Chief Technology Officer of two successful start-up technology companies. He is the author of two books on entrepreneurship and high-tech startups. He is a named inventor on several technology patents.
During the past decade, Tom served on the Executive Committee and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hope West Hospice and Palliative Care of Grand Junction, Colorado. Tom volunteers and teaches courses on a wide range of technology subjects at the New Dimensions Lifelong Learning Institute. A long-time Buddhist practitioner, Tom has led classes in Mindfulness Meditation for over twenty years. Tom enjoys wilderness backpacking, guitar, teaching, and mentoring. He is a martial artist and holds a black belt in San Soo Kung Fu.
Tom Y. Sawyer, CO, USA
Chair, Board Of Directors
Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from the University of Florida. He is currently retired from a career as a software and technology executive. He served as an information technology executive for the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Division.
Tom is a founder of a dotcom and the founding President and Chief Technology Officer of two successful start-up technology companies. He is the author of two books on entrepreneurship and high-tech startups. He is a named inventor on several technology patents.
During the past decade, Tom served on the Executive Committee and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hope West Hospice and Palliative Care of Grand Junction, Colorado. Tom volunteers and teaches courses on a wide range of technology subjects at the New Dimensions Lifelong Learning Institute. A long-time Buddhist practitioner, Tom has led classes in Mindfulness Meditation for over twenty years. Tom enjoys wilderness backpacking, guitar, teaching, and mentoring. He is a martial artist and holds a black belt in San Soo Kung Fu.
Melinda R. Pierson, PhD, CA, USA
Treasurer, Board Of Directors
Seven years ago, Melinda developed an online training network in Haiti to support teachers in orphanage schools. Her next project supports the opening of a new school in Kenya in 2024. She has written over 100 peer-reviewed publications which focus on literacy, inclusion, international teacher training, and resilience in children around the world in addition to presenting hundreds of times to school districts and conferences. Melinda has been actively involved in International Expressions of Kindness: Multimedia showcase and enthusiastically supported different initiatives of the IKR founders.
Janice Darias, VT, USA
Board Of Directors
Janice moved to the Belmont (MA) Public Schools in 1997 where she led the district World Language Program for middle and high school students. In March 2010 she became the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, which she held until her retirement in June 2023. Understanding that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential for all children (and adults) to learn at high levels, social emotional and culturally sustaining learning were the primary focus during her tenure in Belmont.
Janice Darias, VT, USA
Board Of Directors
Janice moved to the Belmont (MA) Public Schools in 1997 where she led the district World Language Program for middle and high school students. In March 2010 she became the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, which she held until her retirement in June 2023. Understanding that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential for all children (and adults) to learn at high levels, social emotional and culturally sustaining learning were the primary focus during her tenure in Belmont.
Jonathan Muhtar, MBA, CO, USA
Board Of Directors
Jonathan recently joined Captain D’s, the nation’s leading fast-casual seafood restaurant, as their Chief Marketing Officer. Previously, as Principal of Visionary Strategy, LLC, he developed growth strategies and advised senior executives across consumer-facing industries.
Earlier in his career, Jonathan spent seven years at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers as Chief Concept Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, where he led the brand’s digital transformation, marketing, insights, franchisee relations, and product innovation. Prior to that, as CMO of Captain D’s Seafood, he helped lead a successful company turnaround through focused brand strategy, breakthrough messaging, and relevant product innovation. Jonathan formerly spent seven years at Burger King, Inc., culminating as Vice President of Global Marketing & Innovation. Jonathan started his career as a franchisee and owner-operator of the first two Smoothie King locations in South Florida.
Jonathan holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a BA in Political Science from Tulane University. He lives in Colorado, where he enjoys time with his family, the outdoors, and community philanthropy.
Jodie M. Skolnick, FL, USA
Board Of Directors
Over the past 20 years, Jodie has concentrated on creating and leading fundraising events for domestic and international non-profit organizations. Among her proudest accomplishments is championing a one-of-a-kind annual event on behalf of the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans that has helped women veterans successfully navigate a path from homeless to self-sufficiency for the last decade.
Among her other leadership roles, Jodie has served as an officer or volunteer board member on several local and national non-profit organizations including providing leadership development for other professionals in these organizations.
Jodie has travelled extensively internationally and lived in Japan for four years. She is so excited to be a part of the International Kindness Reset team as it is so needed by societies around the world and it’s a great way to give back for all she has been privileged to experience
Jodie M. Skolnick, FL, USA
Board Of Directors
Over the past 20 years, Jodie has concentrated on creating and leading fundraising events for domestic and international non-profit organizations. Among her proudest accomplishments is championing a one-of-a-kind annual event on behalf of the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans that has helped women veterans successfully navigate a path from homeless to self-sufficiency for the last decade.
Among her other leadership roles, Jodie has served as an officer or volunteer board member on several local and national non-profit organizations including providing leadership development for other professionals in these organizations.
Jodie has travelled extensively internationally and lived in Japan for four years. She is so excited to be a part of the International Kindness Reset team as it is so needed by societies around the world and it’s a great way to give back for all she has been privileged to experience