Meet Our Team
Sandra Cavanaugh
FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Sandra is an award winning, 35 year veteran of the entertainment industry as a writer, director, actress, producer, singer/songwriter, speaker, artistic director, and teacher of acting and improvisation. Sandra has been teaching since 1986 and has taught students from preschoolers to PhDs in universities, conservatories, and public schools across the country. Sandra is a recognized and sought after specialist in creativity, communication, imagination, and innovation and the bestselling author of Spontaneous Brilliance. But much more importantly, Sandra is the very proud mother of five remarkable daughters. Sandra’s personal journey as a mother has made her a fierce advocate for children in foster care, adoption, children’s mental health, FASD, Autism, Neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ rights, and creativity in education. Read More
“I love seeing the light brighten in a person’s eyes when they see themselves being recognized, seen, and heard, fully in that moment. Spontaneous Brilliance is more to me than a book, a company, or even a philosophy… it is a dream that I hold for a day when every single human being feels respected and recognized a unique being with a valued and precious brilliance that they bring to this world.”
LEA MAE BERENDEZ
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Lea Mae has been a leader since her elementary years and has managed, groups and organizations for project completion. Her inclusive and empathic way of management led her to impact her colleagues and bring out their full-potential.
She’s a proficient Facebook Ads specialist and Digital Marketing expert, Lea Mae specializes in collaborating with diverse clients, ranging from coaches to small and medium-sized business owners, offering tailored solutions to meet their unique needs. Fueled by a strong belief in integrity, excellence, passion, and purpose, she brings a strategic and results-driven approach to the ever-evolving digital landscape.
“Spontaneous Brilliance aligns with my core values and the advocacy I support. To be able to show the world that each of us has YOUnique talents and capabilities that contribute to making this world a better place. I believe in inclusivity, creativity and innovation. Each one of us has our own genius and together, we will unleash that to create an impactful and meaningful life.”
Michelle Oneida
Producing Director
Since she was a child, Michelle has lived by the tenants of Spontaneous Brilliance. She started as the ”teaching toddler” of her mother, Sandra Cavanaugh’s, classroom and followed after her into careers in both theater and teaching. Michelle is an autistic actress, writer, artist, and producer. She spends much of her time working with exotic animals as an educator and repairing vintage toys. She lives in San Diego with her wife and their veritable menagerie of animals.
“Having spent a great deal of time fighting to fit into an education system that did not work for me, I strive to bring the tools of Spontaneous Brilliance into every classroom I enter.”
Vicki Anne Crane
Editorial Director
Vicki Anne loves collecting toys, gardening, and the Oxford comma. They are a writer, developmental editor, publisher, and CEO of Miracle Publishing Group, and they are very, very bad at juggling. Currently, they reside in San Diego with their wife and husband in a house that may or may not collapse under the weight of 10,000 books.
“As a neurodivergent person, I have spent so much of my life struggling to be heard, understood, and valued without compromising myself. Spontaneous Brilliance is like peering through the keyhole into a world people like me deserve to grow up in—all we have to do is open the door.”
DALE BEJIC
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Dale is a business professional from the Philippines with a background in marketing and creative support. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Major in Marketing Management, and enjoys helping businesses stay organized, improve processes, and bring ideas to life through collaboration and creativity.
“I believe in what Sandra teaches, that everyone has their own genius. Each person has unique gifts and perspectives that deserve to be recognized. Sometimes all it takes is the right environment, encouragement, and someone who believes in you to let your brilliance shine.”
Maria Brock
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
Maria has been an accountant for the last 13 years. She lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Chris, and their fur-baby, Fae. Excelling at double-digit addition and subtraction since kindergarten, math in all forms (except proofs) has always been her passion. She loves reading, playing video games, and spending time with her mom and many sisters. Being adopted at 18 has given her a unique perspective on the interest she’s always had in the way humans interact with themselves and others.
“Spontaneous Brilliance has helped me regain the “Response-ability ” to take control of my life after many years of lacking any control. I hope to help others, especially adopted and neurodivergent people, find that response-ability they’ve been searching for and see themselves as Brilliant.”
CORY MIKHALS
SOUND ENGINEER
Cory brings the experience and success of over 35 years as a professional actor/director, voice artist, radio host, and professional emcee to the team. Having been a brilliant collaborator with Sandra and Michelle on various artistic projects for almost 15 years, it’s no wonder Cory was their choice to do the sound engineering for all things Spontaneous Brilliance at his studio in Boise, Idaho—Cory Mikhals Productions. A familiar voice on Idaho radio for two decades, Cory is the morning host at Lotus Communications’ classic country “107.1 Hank FM” KTHI.
KYLE ANDREW TAPICAN
MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER
Kyle is a creative professional from the Philippines with nearly a decade of experience in video editing and graphic design. What started as a hobby at the age of 14 eventually grew into a passion for creating content that captures attention and connects with audiences online.
Throughout his creative career, he has worked with a wide range of businesses and clients, helping them grow their brands, reach their goals, and connect with more people through engaging content. His work has contributed to millions of views across various platforms, making a meaningful impact on the individuals and businesses he has collaborated with.
“It’s fascinating that there’s a place where people can be vulnerable, share their experiences without judgment, and gain new perspectives and knowledge that can truly impact those who need it.
I also believe that everyone is a genius. It’s just that the systems created by the people before us tend to define only certain groups as “geniuses,” while overlooking the unique strengths and potential that everyone has.”
ANDREW HABERMAN
FRONT END DEVELOPER
Andrew is a front end developer who loves turning ideas into clean, functional, and easy-to-use websites. With more than 15 years of experience in web development, he has worked on everything from custom WordPress builds and plugins to modern front-end interfaces using React, TypeScript, and JavaScript.
His background includes building websites for agencies, political campaigns, advocacy organizations, and small businesses. Andrew has contributed to award-winning projects recognized by the Reed and Pollie Awards, and he takes pride in creating work that is both visually polished and technically dependable.
Andrew is especially passionate about solving problems, improving user experience, and helping clients feel confident managing their websites after launch. Whether he is building a custom feature, refining a design, or troubleshooting a tricky issue, he approaches the work with patience, focus, and attention to detail.
When he is not coding, Andrew enjoys gaming, cooking, learning new technology, and spending time with his family and his Siberian Husky service dog, Mylo.
“I like helping people bring their ideas to life online in a way that feels simple, useful, and professional.”
