The Core Volunteers

Kevin James Karas, MA, E-RYT-500 is an international yoga professional on a mission to develop greater awareness, connection and wellbeing in the hearts of all through sharing Yoga. He specializes in yoga nonprofit leadership as Board Governance Manager for Yoga Alliance, CEO and President of Elevate Akron, and board member of SLS Yoga Center. He facilitates Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) Programs as the lead trainer at The Shaw JCC of Akron and Yoga Squared Akron. He’s consulted with several yoga studios to successfully develop/improve their YTT programs. His multi-lineage approach is inspired from 15 years of study in the Sivananda, Integral, Sampoorna, Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Mindfulness traditions as well as modern styles. His award winning 4-year graduate thesis explored the presence, communication techniques, pedagogy and contemplative practices of master yoga/meditation teachers and deeply influences his teaching methods today. In his free time, he loves going to yoga festivals and retreats to connect with like-minded people and has partnered with many talented musicians to provide yoga with live music experiences such as Guided Sound Journey and Elevate Akron Online. If you are interested in connecting, please reach out at kevinjameskaras@gmail.com or at 330-592-0530

I am a part-time artist and part-time yoga instructor, and a former Ohio resident – now based in Ithaca, NY! I have been working with Elevate Akron since 2019 when I hopped on board as Green Team Lead. Since then, I have gotten more involved in efforts to build and strengthen the Elevate community year-round. This year, I am also excited to take part in coordinating vendors. I have been practicing yoga for 5 years and became an RYT-200 last spring. I believe that an integrative wellness model (mind, body, and spirit!) could be our culture’s antidote to production mentality and our over-scheduled, fast-paced lifestyle. I have been so drawn by Elevate’s commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and cultivating community – I feel so grateful to be a part of this team!

Wendy Ross is the Creative Director and Co-Owner of DigitalHipster Inc. in Highland Square. She also teaches Aerial Yoga to adults and kids and Yoga at Root’s Yoga in Wadsworth, OH. This is her 4th year with Elevate Akron as Marketing Director. She will also be heading up Event planning for this years Yoga Festival. “When I started practicing yoga 6 years ago, I had no idea of the impact it would have on all aspects of my life. Playtime has become an integral part of my practice with Aerial and Acro Yoga. Adults seem to lose that sense of adventure and play as they settle into work and raising families. But it is something we need to stay young at heart and physically active. My mission is to help keep Akron Yogis young at heart through Yoga.”

I am a 200HR certified yoga teacher and personal trainer from Chippewa Lake, OH. My yoga journey began in 2010 as a casual student, which eventually built up to completing my teacher training in 2018. As my practice grew, my love for movement and fitness did too, and in 2021, I began offering personal training in addition to yoga! Outside of yoga, I enjoy laughing and good food with my husband and three kids, and my dog. I am an avid coffee drinker and binge true crime podcasts. I read, write, and create all kinds of things, and am willing to show up and hold space for you to be exactly who you are right now while encouraging you to become who you will be.

The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means “to join” or “to unite”. As the Director of Development & Community Engagement, I hope to serve and unite the community! I deeply desire to help others discover that Yoga is more than simply great exercise, it is an art and science for healthy living – something we all deserve! This festival brings health and vitality to the community and our fundraising efforts are vital to fuel future events and expand our network. In this role, I spearhead sponsorship initiatives, forge strategic partnerships, and cultivate key relationships to support our mission of community enrichment, serving as a liaison between our organization and all parties, continuously seeking opportunities for growth and collaboration. I am committed to helping in any way possible, exceeding expectations, and ensuring that our sponsors have a great return on their investment. Beyond work and Yoga, I find joy in the outdoors, sharing adventures with my husband and doodle Luna, spending as much time as possible gardening, cooking, road cycling, skiing, and traveling. I am eager to connect and contribute to the continued success of Elevate.

The Founders of Elevate Akron

Alexis Carris, co-Founder

Just a kid from Akron, I was born in Akron, Ohio. I’m passionate about giving back to my community through Elevate Akron. When I co-founded Elevate, my goal was to bring the community together as one. I am a Kindergarten teacher at Green Local Schools District and driven to instill a love for learning in my students. I recently earned my Reading and Literacy Masters from The University of Akron.

As an RYT 200, I love to practice yoga at local studios and incorporate yoga for students in my classroom daily. I also love to sweat at Orange Theory Fitness Akron & Copley. Serving on the board of this accessible community event inspires me to create more community connections throughout the year.

Tracy Rhinehart, Co-Founder

I am proud to be the creative force behind Akron’s premier free outdoor community yoga festival. After serving five years and six festivals as Director – and the on-stage teacher! – of the organization, I have resigned proudly offering the event to the yogis and community members who have supported and inspired me. CHEERS to you all as we each continue to Elevate Akron!

Elevate Yoga Board Members

Matt Lerner, Chairman

I am proud to be one of Ohio’s most experienced teachers of Yoga and meditation. I have been teaching since 1976 and training teachers since 1978. I love teaching all aspects of traditional eight-limbed Astanga Yoga including meditation, Yoga Nidra and traditional asana classes. I am passionate about introducing new students to the joy of Yoga as well as training and certifying new Yoga teachers and providing continuing education to experienced Yoga teachers.

I am an E-RYT-500 and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at the Spiritual Life Society and Yoga Center of Hudson, Ohio’s oldest Yoga school, and currently serve as Co-chair at Elevate Akron. I am a retired businessman, and have a BS in Psychology and an MBA, both from the University of Wisconsin. I enjoy spending time with my wife Gennie, who is also a Yoga teacher, and my two children and two grandchildren. I am also active musician in the local music community and play guitar and bass.

Lynn Satow, Secretary

I grew up in the Akron area and love the community. My own mission as a yoga instructor, personal trainer and fitness director has been to promote community wellness. I have served the Akron community in these roles along with offering yoga classes, yoga therapy and progressive exercise regimens to both individuals and larger groups for over 20 years. I also will volunteer when able with organizations that give back to the community, such as Good Neighbors.

Because I came to yoga at a very young age, it led me to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Yoga is the foundation of all movement that I always return to. I found it to give me strength, focus and contentment and furthered my own well-being. I have seen others become stronger, move better and become pain-free after embracing yoga as well. Yoga is also integrated into my personal training sessions.