Early Learning Opportunity Group Team

Dan Szemis founded Early Learning Opportunity Group in 2020 and serves as President and Secretary.  Prior to founding Early Learning Opportunity Group, Dan spent 32 years in the investment management field working as an analyst and portfolio manager at Prudential Insurance Company, Merrill Lynch, and Chilton Investment Company.  Dan grew up in New Jersey, attended undergraduate college at Virginia Tech, and holds an MBA from Rutger's Graduate School of Management.  Dan and his wife Mary raised their family in Pennington, New Jersey, and are currently residents of Naples, Florida.  

Mary Szemis serves as a board member and Vice President of the Early Learning Opportunity Group.  She has a degree in Health Education from Virginia Tech where she met her husband Dan.  Prior to attending VA Tech, Mary worked for JETRO, or the Japan External Trade Organization, in their Chicago office where she assisted the director of public relations.  In addition to handling inquiries from the general public, she organized and attended JETRO's trade shows in the Chicago area.  After moving to New Jersey, Mary worked at Mobil Research and Development as an office manager for the Paulsboro Alkylation Project supervising, training, and mentoring a small office staff.  Mary went on to work for Johnson and Johnson, first at the J&J Baby Products Company as a Specifications Coordinator where she assisted in the development and implementation of data input forms, and reviewing and organizing data from the research department.  Mary was Project Coordinator of the startup group, Johnson & Johnson Quality College, where she was responsible for reviewing and organizing course materials for both domestic and international meetings. Later, as a stay at home mom, Mary worked as a sales consultant for a nationally known home-based basket and home decor business.   She also volunteered at her daughters' schools from preschool through high school.  Mary enjoys taking painting classes, gardening, and traveling.

Ed Hallisey is an accomplished education professional who has taught instrumental music for 15 years and served as both an elementary school and middle school principal for a combined 21 years as well as serving as an adjunct professor at Marist College.  He holds a Master's degree and a Doctorate from Columbia University in the field of Instructional Technology and Media, as well as a Master's degree in Music Education from Western Connecticut State.  Ed also has an Advanced Degree in Administration and Supervision from SUNY New Paltz and a Certificate of Advanced Study from Cornell University.  He has been extensively involved with the practical implementation of technology in education, including partnering with Apple at one of the first schools to create a 1-to-1 laptop program for its students, and initiating an iPad program for Kindergarten students.  Ed was selected for the "Making It Happen" award by the International Society of Technology Educators, and Ed's school program won the Pioneers in Technology, Apple School Profiled for Success, Apple Distinguished School, and Apple Distinguished Program awards from Apple for their efforts.  Ed has been happily married to his wife Carolyn for 40 years and raised his family in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he currently resides.

Sean Hallisey joined Early Learning Opportunity Group as a Director and Chief Financial Officer in August, 2021.  Currently, Sean is the Tax Manager at Malkin Holdings LLC, having previously worked as a Vice President and Tax Manager at Chilton Trust Company, and before that as a Tax Associate at Anderson Tax LLC.  He holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Corporate Finance and Accounting from the University of Notre Dame, a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs from The George Washington University, and also attended the Dublin City University.  Sean has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2015.  

SHARON DRAGAN is a director in the law firm of Mason, Griffin & Pierson, P.C. in Princeton, N.J. She has been an attorney for 35 years specializing in local government law, land use, residential and commercial real estate and business law, and serves as legal counsel to several municipalities in NJ. Prior to joining her current firm in 2016, she had her own law practice in Flemington, N.J. for 19 years and before that, was a member of Ligorano & Sozansky, P.C., which was also located in Flemington. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. and earned her law degree at Seton Hall University Law School in Newark, N.J. She currently serves as Secretary to the N.J. Institute of Local Government Attorneys where she has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2013 and is member of the Hunterdon County, New Jersey and Pennsylvania State Bar Associations. She also was a member of the Whitehouse Rotary Club, in which she served as its first female president from 1993-1994, the District XIII Ethics committee for Somerset/Hunterdon Counties from 1999-2002 and was a Trustee for the Center of Educational Advancement in Flemington, N.J. (a non-profit which educates, employs, trains and places developmentally disabled and dislaced persons) from 1994-2000. She has been a long-time organist/pianist for many churches for 45+ years, and still serves in this capacity for the three churches comprising the Catholic Community of Hopewell Valley, N.J. She lives in Pennington, N.J., has been married to her husband Brian Barr for over 30 years and they have one grown son, Michael who resides and works in Philadelphia, Pa.

Christina Kappes retired from teaching in 2019 and moved with her husband Jim to Naples, Florida. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Kindergarten Instruction from the University of Delaware. She has a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Maryland College. She was an elementary teacher in Maryland for 10 years until the birth of her third son. When he entered kindergarten, Christina returned to teaching as an Advancing Early Literacy teacher. In addition to her work with at risk kindergarten students, she also worked as a 5th grade Title 1 teacher and as a Pre-Kindergarten reading and math intervention teacher. She is excited to bring her experience working in the classroom to Early Learning Opportunity as a board member. 

Adam Weiss is a close friend and associate of Dan's, having worked with Dan at Merrill Lynch and Chilton Investment Company.  Originally from Brooklyn, Adam grew up in Short Hills, NJ, and graduated form Colgate University in 1987  with a major in Mathematical Economics and Minor in French.  Following his father’s path on Wall St., Adam began his career at JP Morgan before attending UCLA and earning his MBA.   After a successful career as an analyst and portfolio manager, Adam retired in 2016 and now splits his time between New York City and New Canaan, CT.  Adam has three grown children and is an accomplished musician, currently performing as a drummer in a professional band.

Nina Szemis is a board-certified athletic trainer specializing in nutrition and wellness management. She received her masters from Boston University and holds an undergraduate degree in athletic training from James Madison University. In addition to working one-on-one in the clinic setting, Nina is on the sidelines with the Golden State Warriors Dance Team providing emergency and rehabilitative services to the performers.  Away from work and her support of the Early Learning Opportunity Group, Nina enjoys hiking with Cinnabun and Grayson, her two canine companions, as well as skiing and traveling.

Melanie Szemis is studying to pursue a career in Art Therapy.  She holds an undergraduate degree from Princeton University, a graduate degree from the Oregon College of Art and Craft and also studied at the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughan, County Clare, Ireland.  Melanie participated in numerous service programs while in high school and college and currently is active as a crisis intervention volunteer in her local community.  In addition to her school and service activities, Melanie enjoys traveling, and has visited China, Russia, the U.K. and Europe,