Susie Dicker is the Executive Director of Drawn from Valor. With more than two decades of career experience working in and around the entertainment industry in public relations, talent management, corporate social responsibility, and more, Susie first began work with DfV as a contractor supporting our Community Engagement Department before joining the executive team. Susie has a BA in Communications from the University of Pittsburgh and lives in New York City.​

Executive Director

SUSIE DICKER

Todd Silverstein serves as Director of Operations of Drawn from Valor. His work experience includes private business, non-profit organizations, and government. He has graduate degrees in both Business and Public Policy. 

Founder / Director of Operations

TODD SILVERSTEIN

Stacy Dove is the Community Engagement Director for Drawn from Valor. Having worked in everything from photography to script writing and talent booking, she found her niche in marketing and social media, where she fuels her passion for storytelling and brings sparkle to brand messaging. While by day Stacy is the voice behind DfV, by night she uses her voice as an active classical singer, performing with opera companies worldwide. Stacy holds a Master of Music in voice performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Director of Community Engagement

STACY DOVE

Michael Falk is a professional illustrator and animator with experience working alongside some of the finest storytellers and artists in the industry. His background includes stints at Nickelodeon Animation, Warner Bros., DC Comics, and MAD Magazine. He is also the creator of "Murphy's Laws of Combat" a single-panel, military humor comic that appears in Leatherneck Magazine. Michael holds a BFA in Media Art & Animation, which he completed after retiring as a Chief Petty Officer from the Navy's combat construction force, The Fighting Seabees.

Creative Director

MICHAEL FALK

James Acken began life as a professional artist before moving into a career as a professor of medieval studies. Wishing to return to his previous career, he left academia to work in the private sector developing goods and narratives in continuity with early medieval poetic tradition. He sees his creative work at Drawn from Valor as an extension of this. 

Artistic Director

JAMES ACKEN

Alan Caudel is an accomplished artist who has come to animation after developing a full career with more than 10 years of experience in structural design and drawing, web design, and video editing. He is currently pursuing a Master of Art degree in animation while assisting in the development of Drawn from Valor’s creative content and management of the creative team.

Creative Director, Client Partnerships

ALAN CAUDEL

Dave Szilagyi is a self-taught artist who worked his way up from contractor to his present position as Deputy Creative Director. An incredibly talented illustrator and animator, he has demonstrated an ability and willingness to lead project groups and mentor developing artists. Dave graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in marketing.

Deputy Creative Director

DAVID SZILAGYI

Alex Vale acts as Production Lead & Crowdfunding Advisor at Drawn from Valor. She is an author (PAX Legacy of the Keyholders, Epic Fail Super Win), illustrator (Sammy Takes a Bath), and former musician (Dream Siren Records, independent). She studied music (University of Maine), filmmaking (Rhode Island College, NYFA), and business (CWE). She has been freelancing since 2007 as a multimedia creative and strategy consultant for small to medium businesses. She is also the creator of Misfit Kit, a blueprint for creative digital nomads, and stARTup Challenge, a business series for artists.

Deputy Operations Director / Artist

ALEX VALE

Katie Kazumura is the Community Engagement Animator for Drawn from Valor. She has been drawing since she was a child, and has a Bachelor's in Media Arts and Animation. While art and animation are two of her passions, her other passions include singing and acting, which she's been doing for more than eight years.

Community Engagement Animator

KATIE KAZUMURA

Steve Force is a U.S. military veteran and business entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience supporting multiple public and private security-related projects before joining the Board of Directors for Drawn from Valor.

Board Member

STEVE FORCE

Dr. Merlo Greene is a licensed clinical psychologist with post-doctoral training in child/adolescent and pediatric psychology. She is a dedicated clinician, as well as an active researcher and educator. 

Board Member / Subject Matter Expert

LISA MERLO GREEN, PHD, MPE