LUV MICHAEL TEAM
Luv Michael is a Non Profit 501c3 dedicated to training, educating, and employing autistic adults and improving the lives of the autistic community beyond the lives of their parents. In order to prepare the team for the world of work in a real environment, the organization produces high quality organic, gluten-free, and nut-free granola in their state-of-the-art bakery. In 2020, Luv Michael launched a student volunteer program to educate the world on being strong allies to the autism community. Currently over 20,000 volunteers are advocating for autism acceptance in over 40 countries.
THE FOUNDERS
Michael Kessaris, a young autistic adult, is the INSPIRATION for LUV Michael. Michael was born and raised in Long Island. Whether rowing for PortRowing, serving at the Altar of his church, or helping his mother to prepare for family dinners, Michael has shown his parents that given the opportunity and the right environment anything is possible. Despite displaying an early interest in food and cooking, finding a career for Michael in the culinary world was not easy. Luv Michael has enabled him to make new friends and find colleagues with a similar interest. Together they are sharing in the journey toward meaningful employment.
Dr. Lisa Liberatore is one of the founders of Luv Michael and is the mother of Michael Kessaris who inspired the formation of the non profit company. She lives in NY with her husband Dr Dimitri Kessaris. Their other son Alexander Kessaris serves on the board of advisory. After a successful 25 years in private practice as a board certified ear, nose and throat physician, Dr Lisa has committed her full time efforts to her non profit work for the autistic young adult like her son, Michael. Her passion is directed to Luv Michael and the second nonprofit, also founded by their family, USAutism homes. This sister organization focuses on the innovation of the shared living options for autistic roommates who choose to live together. Dr Lisa admits that more work needs to be done to assure that autistic people are directing the narrative of what constitutes happiness, success, and fulfillment in life.
Dr. Dimitri Kessaris is one of the founders of Luv Michael and is Michael Kessaris’ father. He and his wife Dr Lisa Liberatore have two sons Alexander and Michael. As a board certified Urologist, Dr Kessaris brings both knowledge and compassion to their non profit work. Throughout his sons’ live he has strived to support their hopes and dreams. Dr. Kessaris facilitates rowing and altar serving initiatives for his sons. He is thrilled that both Luv Michael and their sister organization, US autism homes have been able to help so many young autistic adults like Michael and have created a more empathetic world. Dr. Dimitri hopes that his son, Michael and his friends will have better opportunities and a better life in part because of the example of Luv Michael and US autism homes.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Each LUV Michael Board member brings a wealth of talent, experience, and commitment to LUV Michael’s mission helping LUV Michael to flourish and grow. We are currently expanding our board and are seeking board members from the autism community. Please send a CV to info@luvmichael.com to inquire.
Lisa A. Liberatore, MD FACS
Founder & President
Dimitri Kessaris, MD
Founder & Vice President
Paolo Cugnasca
Board Member
Ricardo Cordero
Food & Beverage Director / Board Member
Michael Pitsinos
Board Member
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Roslyn Haber PhD
Suzanne Reek
George Tenedios
Father Constantine Lazarakis
Michael Brown Esq.
Alexander Kessaris
Heath Friar
Christina Gable
Anastasia Karloutsos Lazarakis
Fergus Linskey
David Williams
Kristel Morreale
Tina Fairhurst
Marietta Karpathiou
George Kessaris
OUR FOOD
Luv Michael is an innovative company which produces the highest quality organic, gluten-free, and nut-free products located in New York and founded in 2015 by Lisa Liberatore, MD and her son Michael. All of our products are created to address the growing awareness in both food allergies and other toxic agents found in many of our food items.
OUR PROCESS
Our company was formed around a 17-year old man on the autism spectrum, who had a passion for cooking. All of our products are made by individuals on the spectrum from start to finish. Luv Michael has developed a food-based curriculum, which breaks down all the processes and procedures so that all of our employees can work efficiently in the kitchen in order to produce a quality product that they are proud of.
OUR PROFITS
Luv Michael is committed to creating and providing meaningful culinary jobs to the Autistic population. Your donations and purchases will allow us to train, educate and employ more individuals on the autism spectrum and improve their lives beyond the lives of their parents.
