Who We Are

Lene Saint-Orens

Founder/Executive Director of Whole Kids Adventure, Whole Kids Culinary, Whole Kids Wellness + Hero Fit, Editor-In-Chief of Whole Kids Lifestyle L.L.C.
lene@wholekidsadventure.org

Lene Saint-Orens is immersed in the child care field by piloting the first “Eco-Healthy Child Development Model with it’s focus on physical exercise and all organic nutrition, with an attached Shared Harvest Program” that seeks to transform the way families view relationships with their child development provider.

As a mother, Saint-Orens has experienced the full gamut of challenges associated with caring for young children, to include her and her daughter’s personal battle with food intolerances, and access to affordable, quality child-care settings. As a foodie, she is inspired by her passion for quality food and health education, and her extensive experience living and traveling in Europe.

She recently launched “Hero Fit”, a program under the Whole Kids’ umbrella, in which families are partnered with a team of volunteers, community advocates, and healthy living experts. Over the course of three months, the experts empower the adopted families to lead healthier lives and become advocates and activists for healthy change in their community. The program is facilitated at the families’ homes to address the family culture and empower a healthy change in lifestyle for ALL family members.

By launching Hero Fit, Saint-Orens strives to improve unhealthy diets and poor cooking habits regional and nation-wide and campaigns against the use of processed foods in schools, pre-schools, and the homes of her “Hero Fit” and “WKA” families.

In addition to Hero Fit, Saint-Orens launched Whole Kids Culinary, a program that transforms communities through the power of food by challenging families everywhere to change the way they eat and bringing mobile cooking classes into class rooms, community centers and organizations!

Prior to founding Whole Kids Projects and Hero Fit, Saint-Orens pursued a career in Human Resources, holds a Professional Human Resources Certification from UT Austin, and a degree in both Business, and Marketing. Saint-Orens is also a licensed massage therapist and a self-inspired Chef and passionate foodie.

With her daughter as inspiration, she is now putting her passion into action and seeks to create a learning experience where children are nurtured, educated and positioned to become well-rounded and promise-filled individuals who’ll flourish into sustainability and environmental health leaders, and where communities can heal themselves through the power of food.

She frequently travels to her home and other destinations within Europe to bring new innovative ideas to Whole Kids Projects. She is also the Owner and Publisher of Whole Kids Lifestyle magazine and Whole Lifestyle Magazine, both organic resource e-publications for families.

Jackie Taylor

Director of Education

Jackie has over 20 years of experience in the Early Child Care and Education field and holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.S. in Family and Child Studies. Her thesis was on the Impact of Early Childhood Experiences on Choosing Child Care as a Profession, which is currently submitted for publication.

Taylor completed a one year fellowship with the Office of Head Start at the end of September 2009. During this time, she has been assigned to the Quality Assurance Division working on monitoring, training and technical assistance projects. Prior to her fellowship, she was the Project Director of Healthy Child Care Texas at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Previous positions include working as a consultant to the Military, Head Start and other Child Care programs and training and mentoring entry level child care workers.

Taylor’s work with the military included consultation on NAEYC accreditation at several Air Force installations, including Menwith Hill, Dover, Columbus and Ellsworth Air Force Bases. She also held the position as Program Administrator with the Texas Workforce Commission at their Child Care Services Department. Her job responsibilities included writing, editing, and scoring several Requests for Proposals and writing the quality section of the 2004-2005 Child Care State Plan. In addition she managed the ‘Train Our Teachers’ Scholarship Program. Jackie also represented TWC on several statewide committees, including the Head Start State Collaboration Office Advisory Committee, Texas Early Care and Education Coordination Advisory Committee, the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning Task Force and led the Head Start, Child Care, Pre-K Collaboration Committee. Jackie worked closely with the 2003 Legislative session, providing bill analysis on child care related bills and contributing to several legislative reports.

Furthermore, Jackie held several key positions with the Department of Defense Child Development Services in Germany and Italy. In her position as CDS Coordinator, she was responsible for a staff of over 60, overseeing care for approximately 2500 children ages 6 weeks to 12 years in both center-based and home-based care. She developed and executed an appropriated budget of 1.1 million dollars, while successfully overseeing the center’s re-accreditation from NAEYC. Her program was considered one of the best military programs in the European military community.

Her passion for healthy foods and quality early-care models led her to Whole Kids Adventure, where she is now a valued team-member, defining the model and helping to establish standards that will make WKA stand out among all child development models in the nation.

Dr. Allison Chase

Board of Directors, WKA + Hero Fit

Dr. Chase received her Ph. D. in Clinical Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin. Her clinical training has focused primarily on the assessment and treatment of child and adolescent mental health issues.

Dr. Chase completed her residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL in the departments of Psychology and Pediatrics. Her work included inpatient and outpatient assessment and treatment of infants through young adults, as well as consultation and specialization within the Rush Eating Disorders Program.

As a postdoctoral fellow at Austin Child Guidance Center, Dr. Chase has worked with local independent school districts to provide consultation and recommendation regarding developmental delays, learning problems and emotional concerns. She has conducted parenting training and adolescent groups and gives presentations on child mental health issues.

Dr. Chase is currently a faculty member at The University of Texas at Austin and provides assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and families in her private practice.

She can be contacted at www.drallisonchase.com

Shanna Ferrigno

Board of Directors, WKA – Co-Founder Hero Fit Austin + L.A.

Media Spokesperson for WKA

In April 2010, Ms. Ferrigno was the head publicist for the 2^nd annual Streamy Awards where she brought together celebrities, new media agents, numerous entertainment outlets and show creators to the forum. Prior to this, Shanna spent 3 years as a producer at HD Films, a production company at Warner Brother Studios.  She was part of the development and casting for the ABC series ‘V’ as well as producing and developing the online hit The Jace Hall Show with Monolith game creator Jace Hall.  Ms. Ferrigno was the first producer to use the UNREAL 3 video game engine to do short form written content on the web.

Due to Ms. Ferrigno’s well-rounded contacts she was able to book numerous ‘A’ list talent to voice and appear in all of her productions.  This effort has resulted in over 12 million online viewers. Ms. Ferrigno also produced and worked closely with Sony Studios covering the media for the 20^th anniversary video game documentary Everquest!

Ms. Ferrigno has been involved in health and fitness her entire life. A trainer for the last 8 years, she has trained privately as well as managing numerous gyms. After graduating from college Ms. Ferrigno coordinated the health and fitness youth camp Make a Dream. From Austin TX she still oversees all sales of the merchandising for louferrigno.com resulting in a 255% sales increase since 2009.

Ms. Ferrigno received her BFA from SUNY Purchase and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She has also earned certifications in health and nutrition.

Diana Maldonado

Board of Directors

Diana Maldonado is the former Texas State Representative of House District 52 and was elected to serve November of 2008. During the 81^st Legislature, Maldonado was appointed to serve on the powerful House State Affairs Committee and on the House Defense & Veteran’s Affairs Committee.  She was the only freshman to serve on State Affairs which oversees the utilities and energy industry. She was also selected to serve as a member of Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), a regional transportation organization.

During her term, Maldonado secured approximately $17 million for higher education projects at Texas A&M Health Science Center and Texas State University. She additionally secured an $805,000 renewable energy grant to establish the Sustainable Training Academy in Taylor.  She passed legislation to use municipal hotel occupancy tax revenue to enhance and upgrade sports facilities, coliseums, and multiuse facilities to build strong and safe communities.

Maldonado also spent over 20 years at the Texas Comptroller’s Office (24 years total in state government) before seeking election in House District 52. She was the first woman to serve consecutive terms as president of the Mexican American Comptroller’s Employees Association at the Comptroller’s office. She also won the Comptroller’s Outstanding Team Award in 1998. In addition to her day to day operations, she served on numerous task forces and committees at the agency.

Diana has served on various local and national boards including the Executive Committee of the Mexican American Legislative Council (MALC), Executive Committee of the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium, National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, Women In Government, Executive Women in Texas Government and the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas among many others.  She additionally has lent her support to Austin area non-profits including PE3-Health Needs a Hero project; Con Mi Madre, a mother daughter education program and Whole Kids Projects, a childhood obesity program.

Her quest for health advocacy and initiatives in 2009 has taken her to pick up running as a lifestyle and she completed her first half marathon race in February 2010 and has gone on to participate in several others in an effort to bring awareness to healthy lifestyle practices with an emphasis in the Latino community.  She also enjoys bikram yoga, outdoor activities, sporting events, live music and reading. Maldonado has passion for and track record of championing and leading advances in education, health care, and diversity in order to positively impact the quality of life for residents in Central Texas.

Maurice Harris

Board of Directors, Partner at Whole Kids Wellness

Destined to be in the fitness industry, Maurice Harris, a former Texas A&M Aggie football player has been involved with athletics and fitness his entire life. He began personal training and providing motivation for lifestyle changes 8 years ago. He is accredited through American College of Integrative Medicine (ACIM), Professional Fitness Instructor Training (PFIT), member of IDEA Fitness and American Senior Fitness Association.

Maurice provides fitness instruction for organizations like j.k. livin’, LBJ High School, and Boys & Girls Club of America. He also provides fitness to corporate camps in Austin and in the Houston area.  Maurice’s passions consist of informing and encouraging both youth and their parents to overcome all challenges in order to live life in the purposes intended.  He has mentored youth who have now gone on to achieve many great accomplishments, both in school and in society. Maurice has written fitness programs for j.k. livin, is published with scholastic, and is Co-Founder of Whole Kids Wellness.

Maurice goes beyond his title of personal trainer by touching the lives of those he works with; always forming a special bond and leaving a positive impression. His goal is to take personal training to a higher level through personal commitment, loyalty, and caring. Maurice provides his expertise to all age levels and fitness experience and specializes in sport specific training.

www.coachmofitness.com

Diantha R. Harris

Board of Directors

Diantha Harris graduated from Hutson-Tillotson University with a degree in Business Administration and has over 25 years experience working in the administration and communication field. She currently supports Luci Baines Johnson, as employee of the LBJ Advisor group.

Over the past two years, Diantha has lost 55 pounds by making lifestyle changes, and her dedication became her passion. She is now a devoted public speaker, empowering young women to find their voices, and become community advocates for health.

Her commitment to the education of families about healthy eating and physical exercise in our community translates directly into Whole Kids Adventure’s mission, and so it came natural that Diantha referred our first Hero Fit family enrolled in our make-over program.

Dr. Joe Frost, Ed.D, L.H.D.

Board of Directors, Natural Playground Advocate

Dr. Joe Frost, Ed.D, L.H.D., Parker Centennial Professor Emeritus, The University of Texas at Austin, where he taught for 34 years. He has authored or co-authored 18 books, several having been translated into other languages, as well as six volumes of original papers, reports and articles. Dr. Frost has also served as editor for many texts. He is known all over the world for his more than 30 years of work on early childhood and children’s play environments.

Frost lectures and provides playground design assistance for public and private schools, government agencies, military bases,and cities and universities throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. He has received various awards and honors including appointment to the Parker Centennial professorship at The University of Texas, Teacher Educator of the Year by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, election to the Presidency of the Association for Childhood Education International, and election to the Presidency of the American Association for the Child’s Right to Play.

Frost retired from the University of Texas in 2000 but is devoted to continue to write books and reports, directing PhD students in research, lecturing, designing play environments, consulting with law firms on children’s injuries, and renovating a 60 year-old farm house in the Ouachita Mountains, when he’s not consulting with Lene on the new Whole Kids Adventure playgrounds and vision.

Karan Kapoor

Advisory Council Member

Karan Kapoor is an investment banking professional focused on Mergers & Acquisitions (“M&A”). He has a strong financial background having worked as a private equity investor, a strategy consultant and now as an investment banker. Karan currently works for Pagemill Partners, a Duff & Phelps subsidiary. Pagemill is based in Silicon Valley, specializes in M&A advisory for technology and media companies globally, and is one of the most active mid-market technology investment banks.

Nadia Khawaja Mahmud, RD, MPH

Advisory Council Member

Nadia is a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about addressing nutritional issues in America and abroad.  Her graduate research was done in collaboration with the Exploratory Center for Obesity Research at the University of Washington and focused on analyzing food prices and access to healthy foods in Seattle by neighborhood income.  Currently she is the co-founder and CEO of a non-profit organization called Jolkona aimed at growing the number of donors giving online. She helped start Jolkona in order to allow others to get involved with philanthropy and making a global impact.  Jolkona’s unique approach to giving leverages technology to let anyone make a difference easily and effectively through micro-donations. Prior to starting Jolkona, she worked in the non-profit sector in Los Angeles promoting social entrepreneurship and financial literacy to inner city youth.  She was recently selected to be a Cordes Fellow among top emerging social entrepreneurs and nonprofit executives and won the Social Endeavor’s Award for her pitch at Social Venture Partner’s Social Innovation Fast Pitch.

In her spare time she is involved with several nutrition related projects including being an advisor with the nutritional educational gaming start-up company, Food N’ Me and also with the global health non-profit PATH, where she volunteers with a research project focused on staple food fortification in Bangladesh.  Nadia has a BA in Business/Economics and a minor in Public Policy from UCLA and a Master in Public Health and Nutrition from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Carey Lenss, LLC

Carey Lenss is the Founder of Lenss LLC, a firm that brings individualized services and tactics to any organization in core performance areas.  Employees, Operations, Technology, External Relationships, and Future Growth Areas are all critical to an organizations success. Her goal is to enhance Organization revenues, operations, participation, and enthusiasm. Organizational development occurs through understanding a wide array of potential growth areas such as – Restoring organizational effectiveness thru team subsystem analysis; Facilitating technology applications within operations/market practices; Intelligence gathering on your target markets, customers, and competitor and applying it back to your mission
; Improving business operations without adding bureaucracy.

Ruth Glendinning

Advisory Council Member

Ruth Glendinning began her first entrepreneurial venture in 1994 while still employed in the Strategic Consulting Practice at Price Waterhouse in Century City, California. Clients included Disney Imagineering, DreamWorks Studios, Universal Studios and a broad range of emerging entities in California, New York and Texas. She transitioned her work to working full-time in Austin in 2000 and soon after turned her attention to the social entrepreneurship sector of the market. In 2002, Ruth developed her theory of cultural strategy which demonstrates the importance of creating
a balance between community, culture & commerce for sustainable economy.

She has successfully applied the cultural strategy model to her current work with Community Renaissance Market, a 60,000 square foot building repurposed into a microbusiness incubator containing 40+ businesses, an accessible technology training and placement program for people with
disabilities, and an apprentice training program for foster children ages 18-22 as part of Foster Apprentice Training Enterprises, a non-profit Ruth was instrumental in founding. In the 6 months of daily management, she & her business partner have brought the CRM venture to break-even and have their first outside investor, with others positioned to invest as the model is refined and replicated. Community Renaissance Market has been profiled in Community Impact News, Austin Business Journal, News 8, Channel 24 News, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer and will be featured on a reality show filming May 2011 expected to air Fall 2011.

In addition to creating & co-owning the CRM concept, Ruth has partnered on multiple businesses within the market, including The Curiouseum, Curiouseum Estate Services, Austin Chocolate Company, Renaissance Apothecary, South Austin Signs, and Community Renaissance Coffee. She is in the process of bringing multiple consumer products to market; developing an accessible technology training pilot project with the State of Texas to be located at Community Renaissance Market; creating the Caregiv(h)er™ product line & Caregiv(h)er™ Foundation; publishing her first children’s book “Tessa’s Tickly Tummy”; managing the Keith Scott Hogan Memorial Fund for Accessibility with the intention of developing the Keith Scott Hogan Universal Design Center; and working with the team of bankers, investors and advisors assembled by her late husband to develop AMP Federal Credit Union, a banking & financial services institution developed to serve the community of people with disabilities, their families and network of support.

Monica Quiroz

Food Service Director

Monica is a graduate from the “Le Cordon Bleu” Culinary School in Austin, Texas and has worked for numerous years in Mexico city as a Sous Chef and Food Stylist under World Class Chefs.

She studied Nutrition and Organizing Events at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, and worked as a Managing Partner at Les Creatifs, an event planning organization in Mexico City.

Her experience in teaching  children about the local food culture, and the importance of eating healthy foods, makes her an expert at Whole Kids Adventure, when planning menus and balancing meals to make them as healthy and nourishing as possible.

On her own time she loves reading about nutrition and cooking, and trains to keep up to date on organic cooking methods and ingredients.

Tere Holmes

Director of Operations

Tere A. Holmes has been devoted to the field of Early Care and Education for nearly 35 years.  She is a native Texan who earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising and Marketing with emphasis in Spanish from Texas Tech University.  Tere has served in many positions, including center director, district manager, regional manager and director of operations.

Tere’s expertise is in the successful multi or single unit operation of early care and education programs and effective advocacy and government relations for children’s issues. Her experience includes the successful development of new early care and education programs, as well as organizational growth through acquisitions. As the President of Early Care and Education Strategies LLC, Tere does business consulting and training for early care and education programs in the United Sates and internationally.  With knowledge of licensed programs both regionally and nationally, Tere is familiar with all aspects of program operation. With memberships in NACCP, NCCA, NAEYC, and TLCCA, she presents annually at various National and State conferences, and is currently listed on the Texas Trainers Registry.

Currently, Tere serves on the board of the National Association of Child Care Professionals, and the National Child Care Association, and is the past president of the Texas Licensed Child Care Association. Legislative and regulatory issues are very important to Tere and she stays involved on both the state and national level. Realizing that the industry connection to legislative and regulatory constituents affects the lives of our youngest citizens, Tere has dedicated numerous hours to her advocacy work.