A global team united by a shared purpose: helping young adults grow, discover their potential, and become leaders who make a lasting difference.
Cumorah Academy is built by a team that shares one common goal: empowering the next generation of leaders.
Through experience, mentorship, and genuine care, we are committed to supporting your journey every step of the way.
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Patrick Sedivy is a passionate educator and founder of Cumorah Academy, a non-profit private school in the Czech Republic.
Born in Canada to Czech parents who defected from communist Czechoslovakia. He served as a missionary in the Czech Republic where he developed a deep love for his heritage and later returned with his family. Patrick’s experiences sparked a vision to establish a school that would empower young adults to make a positive impact.
Patrick and his wife Allyse are driven by their faith and commitment to education. They believe that the rising generation holds the key to solving global problems. Through Cumorah Academy, they aim to equip young adults with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to lead and make a difference and become lifelong learners and leaders in their families, communities, and professions.
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Kamila Uberto Fullmer is a business strategist, executive operations leader, and university professor serving as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Cumorah Academy. As COO, she oversees organizational operations, systems, strategic growth, and cross-department execution, helping lead the institution’s international expansion and long-term development.
With more than 15 years of experience in business, branding, communications, organizational leadership, and higher education, Kamila has built and led multidisciplinary teams, developed scalable operational systems, directed international initiatives, and contributed to the creation and expansion of mission-driven brands and programs. She has also taught for many years at the university level in areas related to branding, marketing, business, strategy, and communication. Her background combines executive operations, education, and strategic business development, allowing her to bridge vision with execution in fast-growing and purpose-driven organizations.
Recognized for transforming vision into structured, high-impact realities, Kamila combines strategic thinking, creativity, and operational excellence to build organizations, systems, and initiatives that inspire growth, develop leaders, and create meaningful and lasting impact.
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Kelly’s life is a testament to perseverance and humor. A former baseball scholarship recipient at Snow College and BYU, Kelly proved that with hard work, he could overcome any obstacle – including a less-than-stellar ACT score.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in history from BYU and master’s degree in public health, Kelly spent 37 years serving in Seminaries and Institutes of Religion. His adventures took him to Utah, Colorado, Florida, Texas, and back to Utah.
Today, Kelly serves as the Chief Learning Officer at Cumorah Academy. When he’s not shaping young minds, he enjoys sharing humor and reflecting on his journey of turning life’s challenges into opportunities.
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Mike Manwaring has served as Chief Financial Officer of Cumorah Academy since January 2026. He brings decades of professional leadership, financial expertise, and service to the organization.
Mike earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University. He began his career with Deloitte in Los Angeles and spent 25 years with PwC in Denver, where he became a tax partner. After retiring, Mike chose to dedicate more of his time and experience to mentoring and serving young adults.
Before joining the leadership team as CFO, Mike supported Cumorah Academy alongside his wife, Kenna, as an Advisory Couple for three months in the Spring of 2025. Together, they met individually with students to help them clarify their goals, develop meaningful life visions, and create practical plans for the future. Mike has also taught financial literacy, helping students strengthen their understanding of stewardship, responsibility, and long-term preparation.
Mike is passionate about helping young people recognize their potential, make values-based decisions, and move forward with greater confidence and purpose.
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Steve and Debbie have served together as Chief Resource Development Officers of Cumorah Academy since May 2026. In this role, they support the Academy’s efforts to strengthen relationships, expand resources, and create greater opportunities for young adults around the world. Together, they bring a shared commitment to family, service, and helping others recognize and reach their potential.
Steve brings more than 30 years of experience in investment management, financial strategy, business development, operations, and philanthropic planning. He currently serves as Head of Family Office, Private Capital, and Fixed Income at Summit Global Investments. Previously, he founded and led Presidium Partners, a wealth management practice supporting individuals, families, foundations, and institutions, before guiding its successful sale to Summit Global Investments.
Throughout his career, Steve has held several senior leadership roles within the financial services and investment management industries. He also served for more than 18 years on the Board of Trustees for Operation Kids Foundation, supporting efforts to improve the education, health, safety, and well-being of children.
Debbie dedicated much of her life to raising their family and creating a strong, supportive home. Through her experience as a mother and her commitment to family and service, she brings a deeply personal understanding of the importance of helping individuals feel supported, encouraged, and prepared to grow.
At Cumorah Academy, Steve and Debbie combine their professional experience, family-centered perspective, and passion for service to help strengthen the organization’s resources and expand its ability to support future generations of leaders.
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Iain Saunders is originally from Manchester, England, but he’s lived for much of the last 3 decades in the Czech Republic, teaching and working in education. Known for his interactive, kinaesthetic teaching style and enthusiasm for creative learning, he’s been a keynote speaker at international conferences as well as a Cambridge Speaking Examiner Team Leader. In addition to education, he’s worked in media as a voice artist for projects including award-winning documentaries, and served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a bishop and FSY session director. In his free time, he loves family time, playing boardgames, going skiing, and creating music and stories.
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Donn and Cheryl thought for a while that 11 was their magic number! They spent 11 years with Seminaries & Institutes in southern Utah, then 11 years in Oklahoma with S&I. From there they went to Georgia with S&I, then Donn pivoted to the Temple Department and broke the pattern-he made it 12 years in Georgia before being transferred to Florida with his Temple Recorder assignment!
As soon as they retired, they volunteered at Cumorah Academy as Managing Directors January-December of 2025.
Donn and Cheryl enjoy life experiences with their children and grandchildren in Idaho, Utah, and Florida! They can share a story from life with their family that relates to nearly any subject because it’s been a big, beautiful journey!
Donn received his bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University in Phychology/Child Development and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Donn’s studies have blessed his family life and enhanced his experiences teaching and training young and old.
Cheryl enjoyed problem solving in the insurance and medical billing industries. She managed several medical billing offices in person as well as remotely. She created a singing/performing training class for children ages 3-18 called “Auditions”. There she enjoyed enabling children (including 2 of her own) to perform for audiences at fairs, events, local charities and malls.
They have each thrived in teaching and training environments, so Cumorah Academy was an immediate fit to their desires during retirement. To live, learn, and lead amongst young adults is a joy- no magical number needed!
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Shaun & Kimberly Chidester come to us having spent a large part of their lives teaching youth and young adults in a variety of settings. Shaun served an LDS mission in Japan and Kimberly in Chile. They then taught in the Provo Missionary Training Center in their respective languages. Kimberly received degrees in health and gerontology and Shaun in zoology and public administration. Shaun recently retired from the seminary and institute program having taught for 35 years and continues to work as a financial consultant. Kimberly’s passion is exercise and health, cleaning and organizing, and serving as an ordinance worker in the temple. They have 4 daughters, 3 sons and 8 grandchildren and look forward to getting to know YOU!