OUR TEAM
Steve Shenbaum
Founder and President
Since creating Game On in 1997, Steve has become a nationally recognized expert on communication, leadership, character development, & media training. He’s revolutionized the way athletes, coaches, and executives train through his groundbreaking MILE™ curriculum, fueled by the power of Game Dynamics. He’s on the Advisory Board for The Players’ Tribune and is a consultant for the NBA Pre-Draft and Rookie Transition Programs. Steve graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Communication, and now resides in Bradenton, FL with his wife and two daughters.
Jake Higginbotham
Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Operating Officer for Game On, Jake, a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, has led at all levels, from tactical to strategic, within small teams, and large organizations spanning thousands. He has vast experience in communications, cyber operations, intelligence, and special operations. With 28 years of service and numerous deployments, Jake possesses a refined ability to develop, nurture, and motivate diverse workforces. His strengths lie in overcoming adversity, fostering cohesion, and elevating teamwork. He is a Saint Leo grad with a master’s in Criminal Justice/Critical Incident Management. Jake resides in Ruskin, FL with his wife and has two daughters.
Chris Friday
Director of Programs
Chris is an industry leader in curriculum development, coaching, and improvisation. His unique talent for using positive humor to inspire change has helped some of the world’s most prestigious athletes and teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, NFL Players Association, University of Alabama Football, and over 50 first round NBA and NFL Draft picks. Chris resides in Parrish, FL with his wife and two daughters.
Erin Watson
Director of Client Experience
Erin has 10+ years of experience in the non-profit education field managing experiential law-based programs, developing engaging curriculum, and providing meaningful professional development opportunities for teachers throughout the State of Florida. As a member of the Game On staff, Erin oversees the development and implementation of innovative and impactful programs designed to improve overall teamwork and connection. Erin resides in Bradenton, Florida with her husband and three sons.
Rachel Goff
Client Experience Specialist
Rachel is a devout leader, thinker, teacher, and creative who is vested in helping develop youth and young professionals to navigate the various transitions of life. Rachel recognizes and upholds the truth that every human being has a unique purpose and identity to fulfill and offer to this world. Rachel is a former middle school teacher and former women’s basketball athlete. Her personal mission is to encourage, equip, and empower people to live out an abundant life.
Lisa Fredrickson
Expert Facilitator
Lisa has been teaching and performing Improv for 35 years. You do the math. She has been an ensemble member of many Improv companies, including Seattle TheatreSports, SAK Comedy Lab in Orlando, Disney’s Comedy Warehouse and, for the last 20 years, Impro Theatre in Los Angeles. Her corporate clients have included Oracle, Target and Hewlett-Packard. She is proud to blend her sense of fun and team building with the fine folks at “Game On”. Lisa is also the resident improv teacher at California Lutheran University as well as an adjunct at The Harvard Westlake School. She has been in numerous TV commercials, usually as some sort of uptight mother. You’ve probably seen her at some time in some show at a theme park.Â
Mike Gonzalez
Expert Facilitator
Mike is a community leader in youth development, outreach, and culture change. Raised in Puerto Rico and Tampa, FL, he spent 10 years guiding diverse teams and community groups toward transformational change. Mike currently serves as the Special Assistant to the General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, overseeing all Spanish language translation and culture diversity training for the major league team. Mike resides in Palmetto, FL with his wife and son.
Mike Kontio
Expert Facilitator
Mike is a military veteran with 22+ years of proven leadership and communications experience within Special Operations. Mike’s ability to build cohesive teams capable of delivering extraordinary results in volatile, complex, and high-stakes situations, has created heightened demand for his expertise among senior executives and leadership within the Department of Defense. Mike is an intentional leader and dynamic speaker with a passion for people, culture transformation, and resolving challenges to create lasting impact and value. Mike resides in Tampa, FL with his wife and has three sons.
Will Luera
Expert Facilitator
Will is the former Director of Improvisation at Florida Studio Theatre, Director of Big Bang Improv, serves as the Artistic Director Emeritus of ImprovBoston. He is the co-creator of Healing Moments for Alzheimer’s, a non-profit organization that provides education, advocacy, and ministry for persons with dementia and their caregivers. He is a conflict mediator that focuses on workplace issues. He sits on the boards of CreArte Latino, a Latino-centric cultural community center in the Sarasota area. Will tours globally as an improv comedy actor, instructor, director and performs and teaches regularly all across North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
Dan O'Connor
Expert Facilitator
Dan is a multi-faceted actor, improviser, writer, director, and teacher. He is the founder and former producing artistic director of the critically acclaimed Impro Theatre in Los Angeles. Dan has worked as consultant and trainer for numerous companies including KPMG Peat Marwick, Dow, Ernst and Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Andersen Consulting, McKesson, Pacific Bell, Roche, Bank of America, Cadence, McCombs School of Business at UT, Remax, Tax Executives Institute, MGM Mirage, TORK/SCA, Clarke Mosquito Control, Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC, Charles Schwab, FleishmanHillard, Cisco, and five different Cirque du Soleil productions.
Manny Piñeiro
Expert Facilitator
Manny is a 32-year U.S. Air Force veteran who held the highest enlisted position as First Sergeant Special Duty Manager for the entire Air Force. Known for his exceptional ability to connect with individuals and organizations, he drives peak performance through leadership and influence. Manny is a respected thought leader in diversity and resilience, inspires accountability, and empowers teams to excel in pivotal moments. His trustworthiness and expertise led to a presidential administration appointment to the USO Board of Governors, where he plays a key role in strategic initiatives and champions the importance of service. Manny resides in Silver Spring, MD, with his wife and is a proud father of three sons and grandfather to three granddaughters.Â
Brian Selman
Expert Facilitator
Brian is a doctorate-educated organizational learning and leadership development professional. Brian has 14 years of experience developing and leading high-performing individuals and teams in various arenas. Brian's ability to build meaningful, authentic relationships quickly allows his entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in organizational leadership and learning development to add immediate value. Brian resides in Indianapolis, IN with his wife and children.
Kyle Stark
Expert Facilitator
Kyle helps leaders drive great cultures - alignment, selection, development, execution - in sport, business, and military environments. Kyle has spent over 20 years coaching and leading with 15+ at the highest level of professional baseball, including his role as the Vice President of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Coordinator of Baseball Operations for the Cleveland Guardians. Previously, Kyle helped St. Bonaventure University win its only conference championship in school history. Prior to engaging on his professional journey, he earned his MBA from St. Bonaventure University and is Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo. More importantly, Kyle is a husband to Heather and has two sons.
Erik Stolhanske
Expert Facilitator
Erik is a nationally recognized actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He’s best known for starring as “Rabbit” in the hit movie Super Troopers (which he co-wrote/produced). Erik has also appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Comedy Central, Six Feet Under, and the remake of Dukes of Hazzard. Born without a fibula, Erik overcame his disability and surprised fans by appearing in the elite exercise program P90X with Tony Horton. Erik is a graduate of Colgate University and resides in Minneapolis, MN with his wife.
Ben Thys
Expert Facilitator
Ben is a classically trained actor in stage, television, and film. Ben studied Mandarin Chinese, Philosophy, and world religions at the University of London and spent a year in Beijing before moving to New York where he is currently a successful working actor. He has performed in many plays on and off-Broadway, including Oslo (Tony winner for best play, Lincoln Center), and has appeared in over 30 films and TV shows on major networks including NBC, ABC, HBO & Comedy Central. He serves as a teacher at the French Alliance, the New School in New York City, and coaches Executive Functioning for students. Originally from Brussels, Ben now resides in Brooklyn, NY with his wife.
Heather Wells
Expert Facilitator
Heather, a retired Army Sergeant Major and experienced intelligence professional, has a wealth of expertise cultivated over 31 years. Throughout her service, spanning numerous deployments and roles within the DoD, Interagency, and Special Operations, she refined her abilities in teamwork, communication, and collaboration. Her proficiency in fostering trust, assembling cohesive teams, and driving organizational excellence is rooted in her extraordinary ability to connect with people. She holds certification as a Business and Professional Coach from the International Coaching Federation and a Bachelor’s in Administrative and Management studies from Excelsior University. Heather lives in Raeford, NC with her husband Jason, and spends as much time as possible with her three children and three grandchildren.
Leonard Wheeler
Expert Facilitator
Leonard is a former NFL Defensive Back (Bengals, Vikings, Panthers) who has spent the last 17 years creating culture change for elite clients including NASCAR, Hilton, Deloitte, Capital One, Abbott Labs, MIT, and MasterCard. He’s a former board member for the NFLPA, as well as a current Regional Director/Ambassador for the NFL. Leonard holds dual degrees in Business and Communications from Troy University and is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). His recently published book, Beyond the Locker Room, is a respected guide for career transition. Leonard lives in Charlotte, NC.
Keenan Wooten
GO Schools Instructor
Keenan is a native of Bradenton FL and a product of the School District of Manatee County, where he graduated from Southeast High School. Keenan’s educational background includes an A.A. in Business from the State College of Florida and a B.A. in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing (Cum Laude honors) from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Keenan earned his M.A. in Adult Education and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership in Developing Human Resources, from the University of South Florida in 2009. Keenan successfully worked at Lakewood Ranch High School as an Administrative Parent Liaison from 2007-2009.  He daily impacts the lives of his students through his involvement as a Take Stock in Children Site Coordinator, and College Reach Out Program (CROP) Coordinator. Currently, Keenan is employed at Lee Middle School where he is a Behavior Specialist and Game On instructor where his goal remains to continue to produce dynamic students.
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