Our Team

Ted, a native of Michigan and an alumnus of Michigan State University, takes great pride in being the father to his son, Matthew, and daughter, Rachel. With a career spanning over three decades in the industrial sector, Ted has been instrumental in leading large-scale strategic initiatives. His leadership experience extends to having led and managed over 300 individuals. His journey through both professional leadership and fatherhood has ignited a deep-seated passion in Ted for nurturing growth in others. He is dedicated to mentoring individuals, aiding them in navigating life's various challenges and opportunities, and steering them towards their goals and aspirations. Having entered retirement, Ted is now channeling his energy into guiding and assisting a broader audience to maximize their potential and achieve their personal visions.

James is a dedicated leader who earned his Political Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Balancing his life as a student athlete, he effectively managed his academic ambitions and athletic commitments. His journey into volunteering and youth sports coaching ignited his passion for community service, particularly in mentoring young people. James has developed enduring connections with many youths he has mentored or coached, guiding them to consider their future paths. Known for his ability to inspire and assist others in achieving their life goals, James is deeply committed to service. His role on the Setfire Advisory Board is a testament to his belief in contributing uniquely to society. James is motivated by the success and growth of others.

Sonja’s passion for people and culture drives her interest in developing diverse, inclusive networks that inspire meaningful change in communities. She helps organizations develop robust, impactful programs and communication plans that empower stakeholders to feel a sense of belonging. Sonja brings over 15 years of experience in organizational change management, leading project and organization communications, employee engagement and culture related actions across various industries. She has spent her career focused on collaborating to identify solutions to people-centered impacts. Sonja received her Master’s degree in Organizational Development from Queen’s University (Charlotte, NC). She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a certificate in Human Resource Management, both from McGill University (Montreal Canada). In her spare time, Sonja is a mentor and coach to MBA students, and loves to run and practice yoga, Sonja lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband and 2 dogs.

Nhi is an international undergraduate student from Vietnam, currently majoring in Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University. With a deep-rooted passion for the business industry, she took a bold step to pursue her bachelor's degree in the United States, where she has built valuable relationships with Ted Bozarth and SetFire. After completing her bachelor's degree, Nhi plans to pursue an MBA in the US before returning to Vietnam to make significant contributions to her home country's supply chain management sector. Nhi was the first participant in the Sparks Mentorship program, being mentored by Ted Bozarth even before the official establishment of SetFire and the Sparks program, earning her the title of the “OG” Sparks student. The invaluable guidance and support from SetFire during her early college years have been instrumental in her personal and professional growth. Nhi believes in SetFire's mission to help individuals lead purposeful lives. She aims to share her global student perspective to support young individuals in their personal and professional journeys. Her unique insights and experiences are invaluable to the Sparks program as it continues to grow.

With over 30 years in the consumer products industry, largely within the soft drink sector at Coca-Cola and 7-Up bottling systems in the U.S., Steve has held pivotal positions at Coca-Cola Consolidated, the nation's largest Coke bottler. There, he served in roles such as Executive VP of Supply Chain, Senior VP & CFO, and President of Red Classic Transportation, driving growth from $300 million to $1.5 billion in revenue through strategic acquisitions. Steve's contributions extend to board memberships at organizations like Southeastern Container and South Atlantic Canners, and significant supply chain projects across the U.S. Coca-Cola system. Beginning his career at Ernst & Young, Steve graduated from the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce, equipping him with deep insights into effective leadership and organizational transformation.

Diana is currently a multi-industry consultant whose leadership skills include Corporate Training, Professional Coach, and DEI Champion. Additionally, she is engaged with various universities in the roles of Student Advisor, Adjunct, and Advisor on various committees. Diana recently retired from a leading manufacturer where she enjoyed over 30 years, leveraging her experience managing teams and execution in various roles of Supply Chain Management. Diana is the CEO and Founder of Barnett Leadership Group, LLC, since June 2023, she has been instrumental in providing impactful leadership development training, coaching, and business consulting. Diana has exemplified a profound dedication to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. Her blend of academic expertise, practical experience, and passion for fostering growth and innovation makes her a valuable resource as a mentor and advisor in the fields of leadership, education, and business management.

As the founder of FINdustries, Don's journey has been about enabling individuals and organizations to reach their fullest potential. He believes in the power of authentic connections and the value of each person's unique path to success. Don's mission at FINdustries revolves around fostering environments where individuals and communities can thrive together. When Don was asked to consider joining the Advisory Board of SetFire, it was a perfect fit given many similarities of their missions. His goal in this role is to help steer the ship so they can offer as much value as possible and make a real impact on people's lives.

Todd is a dynamic leader with a passion for understanding and enhancing human communication. Armed with a B.A. in Communication Theory from Temple University, Todd embarked on a journey to unravel the intricacies of human interaction and has since dedicated over 13 years to empowering individuals on their paths to personal and professional fulfillment. As an adept Talent Development professional, Todd possesses an innate ability to discern the unique needs of others and deliver tailor-made solutions that transcend conventional development strategies. His expertise extends to coaching methodologies, informed by adult learning theory, which he has successfully deployed across a spectrum of Fortune 500 organizations on a global scale. Currently serving as the Talent Development Manager at Coca Cola Consolidated, Todd spearheads initiatives to foster teammate development, drive performance excellence, and cultivate future leaders within the organization. His strategic vision and unwavering commitment to maximizing human potential make him an invaluable asset.

Dena is an experienced educator and licensed Speech/Language Pathologist with a 30-year career. She holds a BA and MA in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Michigan State University and an MA in Education from Marygrove College. Her career began in public schools, supporting preschool, elementary, and middle school special education students. She is a founding member of the Old Mission Peninsula Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization in Traverse City, MI. She helped lead the foundation’s efforts to purchase an elementary school, secure a charter, and open a public charter school in 2018. As School Leader during its first year, Dena managed curriculum selection, purchasing, compliance, staffing, and staff management, ensuring students grew academically in a safe, supportive environment. She served as an Educational Consultant with EL Education, delivering curriculum training for districts like Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Detroit Public Schools Community District. Currently, she provides telehealth Speech/Language Pathology services to students in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. Dena has volunteered as Little League president and coach, spearheading a $175,000 fundraiser to build two baseball fields. She is a former Zonta International member and remains dedicated to giving back. A proud parent of two boys, including one in the Sparks Mentorship Program, Dena is excited to work to advance  expand the Sparks program nationwide.