Opportunity Knocks consists of a network of professionals with the diverse skills and in-depth experience necessary to ensure our clients get results. We recognize that each client is unique. As such, we assemble teams that are tailored to meet the needs and challenges of each client.
We have experts in key disciplines such as organization development, strategic planning, communications, human resources, psychology, education, and youth programs. Our professionals have a proven track record working with government, business, non-profits and the academic sectors. Our unique combination of talent has proven invaluable to our clients.
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 Denise Calore, Founder and President
Denise H. Calore founded Opportunity Knocks in 1997 and serves as president. She has more than 15 years of experience providing expert organization development consulting services, as well as designing and implementing programs for education and youth. She is a high energy, results oriented professional who partners with clients to inspire and empower organizations and individuals to leverage opportunities and achieve their highest potential.
Her core areas of expertise include organization development, leadership development, team effectiveness, training, and strategic meeting/event planning & facilitation. She also has expertise working with schools and youth to inspire high level achievement, and to build skills that enhance the classroom curriculum.
Ms. Calore has worked with representatives of over 40 government agencies at the Federal, State, and Local levels, as well as with businesses, educators and youth. Specifically, Ms. Calore led a consulting team that successfully facilitated the establishment of a multi-state, public, private industry, and federal agency partnership (Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) that is focused on expediting the deployment of environmental technologies. In developing this public/private sector partnership, Ms. Calore provided the strategy for a team based and virtual organization, and also facilitated the implementation of this design.
For a Federal agency, she has been part of a team of consultants that designed a system to achieve organizational readiness for the deployment of major modernized information technology systems - a project with an average annual technology budget of $300 to $400 million.
Under her leadership, Opportunity Knocks has developed a number of programs for public and private sector schools, as well as youth leadership training initiatives. Ms. Calore is committed building future leaders by working with youth, adults, parents, educators, and administrators. She has designed and delivered numerous professional and youth programs to enhance teamwork and leadership skills across the country, including "Team Adventures." Ms. Calore also has successfully facilitated workshops in public schools on the topic of child assault prevention.
Ms. Calore spent six years working in the U.S. Department of Energy where she focused on Federal budgeting, public outreach, strategic planning and legislative analysis. She also served as an Adjunct Faculty member at The American University, instructing graduate students on how to build effective work teams.
Ms. Calore holds an M.S. in Organization Development from The American University/NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Sciences, and a B.A. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland. Ms. Calore is a member of the Organization Development Network and is qualified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
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Sandy Ellis, Organization and Strategic Planning Associate |
Ms. Ellis is an organization development consultant with extensive cross-functional business experience. She brings her clients specialized expertise in the areas of strategic planning, organization design, and leadership development. Most recently, she served as an organizational leadership consultant with IBM's Executive and Organization Capability group. She worked with IBM's senior executives and their teams to develop world-class leadership competencies and integrating these competencies into strategic business initiatives. Prior to IBM, Ms. Ellis worked for Unilever to enhance the company's ability to assess and build organization capability through redesign of human resource processes.
She received her M.S. in Organization Development from The American University/NTL Institute for Applied Behavior Sciences, in Washington, D.C. She earned her M.B.A. from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Durham, NC, and holds a B.S. in Business Logistics from Penn State University.
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Holly Joyner, Youth and Education Associate
Dr. Joyner is an education and child development expert. She plays a critical role in the company's efforts to prepare our future generations to achieve at a high level. Dr. Joyner uses her academic and professional background to craft effective programs, workshops, and curriculum for youth. She also develops research-based techniques and activities that foster learning in the areas of leadership, teamwork, and planning.
She has held several positions at Beauvoir, The National Cathedral Elementary School, and currently serves as guidance director. At the University of North Carolina, she served as a research assistant and instructed psychology and child development courses. She has published articles in her area of expertise, and also has made numerous presentations. Dr. Joyner holds a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Developmental Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology -- all from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Kelly Kenneally, Communications Associate
Ms. Kenneally is a communications professional with experience in the public and private sectors. With more than 15 years of experience, she helps clients in the areas of strategic communication planning and implementation; message development; internal/employee communication; issue and crisis management; event planning; and speaker training. She has specialized expertise in the areas of corporate affairs, technology, energy, environment, and health risk issues.
She acquired leadership development experience as Associate Director for the White House Fellows Program, one of the nation's most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. She also has provided communications services to the U.S. Department of Energy, publicly traded corporations, and as an external consultant. She earned a B.A. in Government and Politics from The University of Maryland, and has undertaken graduate coursework at The George Washington University.
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Lorraine Miano-Fike, Organization Development and Human Resources Associate |
Ms. Miano-Fike is a seasoned professional, providing strategic human resources and organization development services. She has in depth experience in the areas of e mployee relations, hiring and selection, compensation and benefits, performance management, and training and development management. She has worked in the insurance, health care, and telecommunications industries. Specifically, Ms. Miano-Fike has worked with iSky Corporation, CIGNA Corporation, and Comcast Company.
Ms. Miano-Fike has assisted organizations through the initial public offering process, as well as provided guidance to organizations experiencing growth, making acquisitions, downsizing, and divesting. She has developed and implemented effective internal processes and policies. Ms. Miano-Fike is an experienced project team leader, successfully leading task forces focused on process improvement, team effectiveness, and problem solving.
Ms. Miano-Fike holds a B.S. in Industrial Labor Relations from Cornell University and an M.S. in Organization Development from The American University/NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Sciences. She is a certified transition management consultant and a certified compensation professional. She is qualified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and is member of the Society for Human Resources Management and the Society for Organization Training and Development.
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