About our Work.

The purpose of The Epicenter is to empower people. We envision a world in which every person lives up to their full potential.

Our work empowers people to question, explore, and connect with themselves, each other, and nature with true curiosity and joy. Through mindfulness practices, artistic self-expression, and by creating a space free of judgment and full of freedom and trust, The Epicenter provides students with a unique experience of self-exploration and self-discovery. This experience calms, centers, and grounds students.

We offer sessions (classes) in California and Michigan and will begin holding sessions in 2026 at our retreat (coming soon). 

We primarily work with students ages 7 - 22, and the parents and teachers who support them. Together we are transforming ourselves, our relationship with each other, and the planet. We are The Epicenter.
Recognizing the need for community support for this invaluable work, The Epicenter became a non-profit organization in 2024.

About Our Team.

Allison Paradise is the founder and CEO of The Epicenter and author of the children's book The Mistake. Prior to founding The Epicenter, Allison was the founder and former CEO of My Green Lab, a non-profit organization with a mission to create a culture of sustainability through science. Under her leadership, My Green Lab became a global leader that transformed the life sciences industry. Allison worked as a research scientist and imaging consultant before founding My Green Lab. Allison holds degrees in neuroscience from Brown and Harvard. She is a frequent keynote speaker and in 2019 was invited to give a TED talk about her work in sustainability.​

Read Allison's full bio.

Connor Maliesky is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of The Epicenter. Balancing an open heart with the fire and drive only a former collegiate rugby player can have, Connor breathes creativity into everything he does. He earned his BA/BS in mechanical engineering at the University of San Diego while teaching himself to build guitars and bicycles on the side. His creative drive extended into his first job as an engineer where he miniaturized breast pumps for nursing mothers. Concurrently, he aided in the development of an online spiritual community and taught at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA. Deciding to honor his creativity and desire to build community, Connor became the community director at Idea Fab Labs Santa Cruz, an art centered makerspace. Here he guided countless people in bringing their creative visions to life while also fabricating large-scale art installations for festivals (Arise, Burning Man), the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, and office space remodels for tech companies (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn). When he is not dreaming up the next program for The Epicenter, Connor plays guitar, DJ’s, hosts community art events, and rides boards and bikes that allow him to travel at very high speeds. 

Layne Kangas is the Chief Operations Officer at The Epicenter. A Michigan native, she is a strategic leader who thrives at the intersection of "big picture" vision and disciplined execution. With a professional history that includes a key role in building a multi-million dollar digital publishing company from the ground up, she has mastered the art of turning ambitious ideas into productive, profitable realities.

Layne has a lifelong commitment to community and learning, with a deep-seated passion for creating safe, inclusive, and accessible spaces where individuals are empowered to be their authentic selves. Her leadership extends to her local community, where she maintains an extensive record of volunteer service. She is currently on two Parent Teacher Organization boards, the Grand Haven Pride Committee, and is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce.

Whether she is scaling a digital enterprise or advocating for local education, she brings a unique blend of business acumen and heart to everything she touches. At home, she is a dedicated wife, a mama to four, and a proud "Mimi" to one. 

Scott Pellegrom is known throughout the drumming community as the “mad scientist.” His playing as a soloist and band leader exudes creativity, from surprising ideas to blinding hand speed, using found objects to pulling unconventional sounds from conventional instruments. Incorporating elements of drum and bass, jungle, and fearless improvisation into his playing, this “drummer’s drummer” defies expectation and genre, whether it’s playing jazz standards or today’s most experimental music. In March 2020, Modern Drummer recognized Scott as one of the top five soloists in the world and top five clinician/educators in the world.

Scott currently leads his own band, SP3, drummer DJ duo, Remedy, and his new project, Nocturnal Lights. He works as a chameleon-like head of percussionist and session drummer at studios worldwide, and is an in-demand sideman for renowned artists spanning genres and styles. His reputation as an exciting, dynamic player has helped him cultivate a globetrotting career as a clinician and educator, teaching private students, masterclasses, and performing at drum festivals around the world.

Scott brings his bright spirit, unparalleled creativity, and firsthand experience of following ones heart to guide Epicenter students in finding their rhythm.