Leslie Saunders, Chief Imagination Officer
One of the co-founders of KitchenKids!, Leslie holds a Master of Arts in Folklore and Mythology and a Bachelor of Arts in American Literature and African Studies. Her extensive career includes having served as CEO of the Memphis Diversity Institute and before that as National Director of Diversity Strategy for Girl Scouts USA. Leslie is a published author, an avid cook and Scrabble player, and a published song writer. She is a 2013 Purpose Prize Fellow and recipient of several other national and international recognitions.
One of the co-founders of KitchenKids!, Leslie holds a Master of Arts in Folklore and Mythology and a Bachelor of Arts in American Literature and African Studies. Her extensive career includes having served as CEO of the Memphis Diversity Institute and before that as National Director of Diversity Strategy for Girl Scouts USA. Leslie is a published author, an avid cook and Scrabble player, and a published song writer. She is a 2013 Purpose Prize Fellow and recipient of several other national and international recognitions.
Marquita Olive -CO-Founder
Chief Messaging Officer
Concurrently working at General Growth Properties (GGP) North Point Mall and KitchenKids! “My most important position is CEO of Child Development of her 15 yrs. old daughter, Grace Simone Olive Morrow.” Growing up as one of the original KitchenKids! Grace is a multi-lingual honors student, basketball phenom with a 'sky is not the limit' future!
Chief Messaging Officer
Concurrently working at General Growth Properties (GGP) North Point Mall and KitchenKids! “My most important position is CEO of Child Development of her 15 yrs. old daughter, Grace Simone Olive Morrow.” Growing up as one of the original KitchenKids! Grace is a multi-lingual honors student, basketball phenom with a 'sky is not the limit' future!
Cynthia V. Anzaldua - CO-Founder
Chief Core Values Officer
Cynthia V. Anzaldua has been an artist and art educator for 34 years in the north Texas region. She is currently an art teacher for 800 pre-kinder through 5th graders and special needs children at Arturo Salazar Elementary in Dallas, Texas. Having taught at every grade level (K-12) she has focused her career on interdisciplinary and multicultural art education. North Texas. Ms. Anzaldua has dedicated her life to bringing the beauty of all the arts and a deeper understanding of the importance of creative self-expression, inclusion, and a positive global perspective to culturally diverse people of all ages as both an educator and an artist.
Chief Core Values Officer
Cynthia V. Anzaldua has been an artist and art educator for 34 years in the north Texas region. She is currently an art teacher for 800 pre-kinder through 5th graders and special needs children at Arturo Salazar Elementary in Dallas, Texas. Having taught at every grade level (K-12) she has focused her career on interdisciplinary and multicultural art education. North Texas. Ms. Anzaldua has dedicated her life to bringing the beauty of all the arts and a deeper understanding of the importance of creative self-expression, inclusion, and a positive global perspective to culturally diverse people of all ages as both an educator and an artist.
Crystal Elster
Top Chef of Development
Crystal holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and is a candidate for Masters of Public Administration Degree in Spring 2014. When she is not at work, school, or training and fundraising for the Susan G. Komen 3-day she can be found in the kitchen baking! Crystal is a pescetarian, meaning she does not eat poultry, beef, or pork. Her diet does include fish, nuts, grains, fruits, and vegetables. Crystal looks forward to sharing many new recipes with the KitchenKids! family.
Top Chef of Development
Crystal holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and is a candidate for Masters of Public Administration Degree in Spring 2014. When she is not at work, school, or training and fundraising for the Susan G. Komen 3-day she can be found in the kitchen baking! Crystal is a pescetarian, meaning she does not eat poultry, beef, or pork. Her diet does include fish, nuts, grains, fruits, and vegetables. Crystal looks forward to sharing many new recipes with the KitchenKids! family.
Twinkle Patel
Top Chef of Development
Twinkle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Samford University and is a candidate for Masters of Public Administration Degree in Spring 2014. She enjoys concerts, festivals, sporting events, watching NBA, and running for charities. Being a vegetarian her entire life, she enjoys creating and perfecting new vegetarian recipes. Twinkle is fluent in several languages, including English, Hindi, Gujarati, and has a minor in Spanish.
Top Chef of Development
Twinkle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Samford University and is a candidate for Masters of Public Administration Degree in Spring 2014. She enjoys concerts, festivals, sporting events, watching NBA, and running for charities. Being a vegetarian her entire life, she enjoys creating and perfecting new vegetarian recipes. Twinkle is fluent in several languages, including English, Hindi, Gujarati, and has a minor in Spanish.
Traci Steward
Chief Creative Officer for Special Kids
Traci holds an MBA in Finance, a BBA in Business Administration, and a BCBA Graduate Certificate. She worked in consumer and commercial banking before her son was diagnosed with autism. She currently advocates for newly and not yet diagnosed families with disabilities while caring for her family. Traci looks forward to sharing new ideas with the Kitchenkids! family.
Chief Creative Officer for Special Kids
Traci holds an MBA in Finance, a BBA in Business Administration, and a BCBA Graduate Certificate. She worked in consumer and commercial banking before her son was diagnosed with autism. She currently advocates for newly and not yet diagnosed families with disabilities while caring for her family. Traci looks forward to sharing new ideas with the Kitchenkids! family.
Mr, Scrappy Doodle Saunders
Resident Furry KitchenKid!
Mr. Scrappy is a 110 lbs. Golden Doodle who joined Team KitchenKids! in 2006 at the tender age of 8 weeks. He's grown up with all of the original KitchenKids!, knows all of the staff members and undoubtedly knows hundreds of more secret recipes than Duke, TV's celebrated Bush's Baked Bean Dog. Some of his favorite foods can be found on the KitchenKids! list of the world's healthiest fruits and veggies and he's been in attendance at nearly all the KitchenKids!n meetings.
Resident Furry KitchenKid!
Mr. Scrappy is a 110 lbs. Golden Doodle who joined Team KitchenKids! in 2006 at the tender age of 8 weeks. He's grown up with all of the original KitchenKids!, knows all of the staff members and undoubtedly knows hundreds of more secret recipes than Duke, TV's celebrated Bush's Baked Bean Dog. Some of his favorite foods can be found on the KitchenKids! list of the world's healthiest fruits and veggies and he's been in attendance at nearly all the KitchenKids!n meetings.
I. B. Spicy
Ages 5-7
I'm I.B. Spicy and I am different from and almost just like every other kid - even my own brothers and sisters. When I grow up I want to be a leader but right now I still have a lot to learn about me and my family. I like being with the bigger kids sometimes. But most of the time I just like stuff that is just right for me!
Ages 5-7
I'm I.B. Spicy and I am different from and almost just like every other kid - even my own brothers and sisters. When I grow up I want to be a leader but right now I still have a lot to learn about me and my family. I like being with the bigger kids sometimes. But most of the time I just like stuff that is just right for me!
U. B. Spicy
Ages 8-9
I'm U.B.Spicy, I.B. Spicy's cousin. I am a learner and leader-in-training. Even though my friends and I are different from each other, we share many of the same spices and flavors. We enjoy finding new ways to learn together at home, at school and in our community.
Ages 8-9
I'm U.B.Spicy, I.B. Spicy's cousin. I am a learner and leader-in-training. Even though my friends and I are different from each other, we share many of the same spices and flavors. We enjoy finding new ways to learn together at home, at school and in our community.
We. B. Spicy
Ages 10-12
I'm W.E.B. Spicy - also known as WE B. Spicy - and I'm the older cousin of I.B. Spicy and U.B. Spicy. I am a young leader and I'm always going to be a. Because I am older, it's my job to be a role model of other kids at home, at school, in my community and around the world. You can always count on me to listen to others, to care about others and to inspire other kids to follow my example.
Ages 10-12
I'm W.E.B. Spicy - also known as WE B. Spicy - and I'm the older cousin of I.B. Spicy and U.B. Spicy. I am a young leader and I'm always going to be a. Because I am older, it's my job to be a role model of other kids at home, at school, in my community and around the world. You can always count on me to listen to others, to care about others and to inspire other kids to follow my example.