Connected Spirit Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit built on a family tradition of charitable giving. What began as a simple act of holiday generosity has grown into a community-driven mission to uplift children and young adults. Through grants and community support, we help expand access to essential resources and opportunities in literacy, sports, nutrition, and recreation-supporting the well-being and growth of young people in our community.
foundation leadership
For more than three decades, John and Mari-Lyn Parry have sustained a family-first approach while encouraging and supporting each other’s individual careers and personal interests.
Following graduation from the Academy of Court Reporting, Mari-Lyn was a court stenographer for Stoll, Peiser & Snider in Akron, Ohio, and later, the family and juvenile court system in Broward County, Florida. Drawing upon her expertise with legal documentation, Mari-Lyn transitioned to National City Bank of Indiana, where she served as the executive assistant for the Chief Legal Counsel in the Law Department. She also created and organized the documents for National City’s Board of Directors meetings. Complementing her work in the corporate space, Mari-Lyn volunteered her time with First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, accounting for their $500,000 annual financial budget. Purposefully setting her career aside, Mari-Lyn led the management of the Parry household, raising two children. Mari-Lyn is an avid runner, biker, hiker and gardener. Through extensive travel, she supports and promotes America’s national parks. No stranger to dedication and discipline, Mari-Lyn has competitively run three marathons and more than twenty half marathons.
John joined the Buffalo Bills coaching staff in 2024, following five years with ESPN Monday Night Football as an NFL officiating analyst. John retired from a 19-season career with the National Football League after working his third Super Bowl. While building his escalating path in football officiating, John, as a graduate of Purdue University’s Aviation Technology school, completed an 18-year career as a corporate pilot. He also built an independent financial services business, providing financial planning and asset management services, overseeing more than $16 million in assets for a wide range of clients. An avid tennis fan, John started and led a summer youth tennis academy for three years, reinvigorating his community’s high school tennis program. He also served as a line judge at the 2018 US Open. Across multiple industries, John has carried a commitment to dominating the details, ensuring uncompromising preparation and delivering transparent communication.
Madalyn Parry is a dedicated educator and passionate advocate for children and families, committed to advancing high-quality education in urban communities. She began her career at Looking Glass Learning Center, where she quickly advanced into leadership roles focused on curriculum development and staff support. Her commitment to child advocacy led her to train with the Summit County Juvenile Court, becoming a certified Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for youth in foster care.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University, Madalyn relocated to Baltimore to teach kindergarten in a Title I school within Baltimore City Public Schools. She later earned her Master of Science in Education Policy from Johns Hopkins University. Madalyn now teaches second grade at an International Baccalaureate (IB) school within Indianapolis Public Schools. In addition to her classroom teaching, she leads professional development for fellow educators, supporting instructional growth and the implementation of effective teaching practices that support all learners.