Kids in Focus is a community of passionate volunteers and generous supporters, who are dedicated to opening the eyes of at-risk youth to their own potential. We are committed to inspiring youth to see beyond their circumstances and create happy productive lives.
Board of Directors
Colleen Katz
Board Chairman
About Collen
Colleen Katz has been living in Scottsdale since she was 5 and has been volunteering since she was a teen. She has a love for all philanthropy and helping others and has served on many Valley not-for-profit Boards and been involved in charitable events for over 25 years.
A mother of 4, she raised her kids to be involved in the community too which led to many youth-based organizations. She learned photography when taking her 4 to local studios for holiday pictures became a nightmare. Starting with doing her own family photos, then friends, then for organizations she was involved with lead to starting her own business Pictures in Pixels.
Chatting at a reunion, she found out about Kids in Focus and after going to photograph an Exhibit Opening for Karen, Colleen fell in love with the organization. She has been a mentor for 6 years, Co-Chaired the 2nd Noche para los Ninos fundraiser, and is honored to now serve on the Board.
Tom Waite
Board Treasurer
About Tom
Tom is responsible for many aspects related to Kids in Focus’ business operations, and as Treasurer he oversees finances with a focus on the growth and stability of the organization.
After working in the real estate business, Tom found his calling in the cable industry. Tom and his partners were pioneers in the private cable industry by having the foresight to serve the multi-housing industry with cable services before the big franchise companies began. He and a partner founded Satellite Management Services in 1985, becoming a leading provider of services to the private broadband industry. The business is still in operation serving commercial and governmental customers.
Retired from the day to day operations, he now owns and manages a portfolio of single-family rental properties in the Arcadia area. Tom is the proud father of 3 grown children who have all have established their homes very close to home.
Lenna Bien
Board Member
About Lenna
When Lenna Bien was fourteen years old, her home and family business burnt down. With such a big loss, Lenna became an at-risk youth within her community. Organizations such as KIF helped propel her life to where it is today. In 2021, Rotary selected her to conduct a youth exchange and Lenna received a full ride scholarship through Daniels Fund. Without the help of these two organizations, Lenna could have had a much different outcome to her adult life.
Lenna works in Commercial Real Estate and Finance, and giving back to her community remains a priority in her life. She has been involved with KIF since 2018 and is also a member of Rotary.
Cindy Bryant
Board Member
About Cindy
Cindy Bryant’s life took a dramatic turn in 2012 when she suddenly lost her son, Daniel. As a boy, Daniel saw the world from a unique perspective. As a high school freshman, he enrolled in a photography class and was captivated. School cameras, however, were not allowed off-campus, and at the time, his family could not afford to purchase one. When Daniel’s aunt loaned him a 35mm camera, his creativity flourished. As time passed, Daniel became more confident and began sharing his amazing photographs. He went on to create beautiful art, most notably the Phoenix Haboob of July 5, 2011, which was featured as a 3-page spread in the September issue of National Geographic.
Photography gave Daniel a voice, and Cindy wants other young people to find theirs through the power of photography. She is passionate about working with KIF, not only as a way to honor her son but also as a way to transform kids’ lives by putting cameras in their hands.
Cindy is a co-founder and managing partner of Momentum Financial Partners in Tempe, AZ.
Ryan Carr
Board Member
About Ryan
Ryan’s experience crafting exceptionally communicative and thoughtful designs comprises two decades. As the Design Director at Highnoon Digital Marketing Agency in Tempe, he plays a leading role in all things creative. His current focus is on the development of talent within the agency.
As a long-time resident of the Valley and father of 2, he has a vested interest in the growth of the community and strives to help everyone succeed.
Chris Henderson
Board Member
About Chris
Chris Henderson has been a photography enthusiast for more than half his life. When at home, Chris is inspired by the vast desert landscapes of Arizona but his favorite subject matter are the exotic locations he experiences while traveling the world with his wife Julie. For Chris, photography is a hobby that creates a moment of Zen where creativity flows, and time stands still.
Chris has spent the past 25 years working for several Fortune 500 companies in the High-Tech Industry holding leadership roles in Sales, Business Development and Account Management. Over the years he found that mentoring new associates was one of the most rewarding aspects. Chris joined Kids In Focus in 2018 while looking for an opportunity to give back to the community and has found it to be a perfect union of inspired creativity and mentorship.
John Scola, CFRE
Board Member
About John
As Senior VP of Advancement at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, John has become deeply impressed with the impact of KIF’s mentoring and other programs. He has nearly 40 years of nonprofit leadership experience and an impressive record of accomplishment. John brings to the board strengths in board development, volunteer management, fund raising, strategic planning, and nonprofit management techniques.
John has a solid track record of success working with a wide spectrum of nonprofit agencies including foundations, universities, healthcare, social service, faith-based and education organizations. He has extensive volunteer leadership training and management experience and has worked with a variety of organizations in the areas of board and staff development and strategic planning.
In his limited spare time, John can found on the ice playing hockey, or in a ballroom dancing.
Executive Team
Karen Shell
Founder & Executive Director
About Karen
The brainchild and driving force behind Kids in Focus, Karen has been an extremely active volunteer for kids and families in need since the mid-1990s. Built upon on the foundation of two-decades of serving at-risk youth, Karen founded KIF in 2012 to equip vulnerable youth to build the self-worth and resilience they need to overcome their challenges.
Alongside her years of service, Karen has worked as a freelance commercial photographer for advertising clients, photographing people and places for an array of global, national and regional brands. Karen’s personal photography work has been exhibited internationally and her commercial work has won industry awards.
Karen’s three-decade photography career has continually reminded her of the power of seeing outside oneself. Her passion for life is a testament to seeing beyond one’s circumstances. Karen loves adventure and exploring this incredible planet, from mountain tops to ocean depths.
Lisa McNamara
Development Manager
About Lisa
Lisa manages and conducts the daily activities related to Development. Responsibilities include executing fundraising business plans, managing the donor database, executing donor campaigns and correspondence, supporting relationships with donors, sponsors and grantors, and helping coordinate and execute special events.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Syracuse University and founded and directed her own non-profit organization for 12 years. She enjoys traveling, theater, and spending time with her two sons.
Keri Jones
Program Director
About Keri
Keri is responsible for researching, planning, and implementing KIF’s dynamic and impactful youth programs. She holds a BA in Elementary Education from ASU and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management from GCU. Keri’s professional and personal lives have centered around serving kids and families, as an educator, an entrepreneur, and a volunteer.
She brings 20 years of community service experience, including over a decade of service-project planning, with various local, national, and international organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Gratitude, Feed My Starving Children, Luke Air Force Base, Peoria Unified School District, Christ’s Church of the Valley, and more. Keri is a mother of three and enjoys hiking, yoga, traveling, and experiencing great music at outdoor concerts
Ann Alger Piraino
Exhibits Manager
About Ann
Managing exhibitions of the kids’ photographs around the valley, Ann is passionate about creating opportunities for community engagement with local art.
As the Exhibits Manager, Ann seeks out locations and develops collaborative relationships to share the kids’ stories of creativity and inspiration.
She deeply enjoys raising awareness for Kids in Focus’ programs and the kids’ accomplishments.
With a BA from the University of Michigan in art history and anthropology, Ann came to Arizona to learn more about indigenous communities and artforms and earned her master’s degree in social cultural anthropology and museum studies at ASU. Ann brings professional experience in art education, museum practice, and public art administration from her time with the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture. Ann finds joy exploring local art venues, farmers markets, and wide-open natural spaces.
Volunteer Mentors
Terry
Brennan
Cathleen
Cole
Jerry
Daigler
Michelle
Figurski
Andres
Gonzalez
Elaine
Kittleson
Kristina
Reese
Forrest
Smith
Bradley
Tuel
Raz
Yalov
A New Lens on Life
When kids experience trauma, they disconnect from the world and from themselves. Kids in Focus is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and equipping at-risk kids to shift from surviving to thriving. Through the restorative power of photography and with the guidance of dedicated mentors, these kids are inspired to open their eyes to their potential and self-worth.
Mailing: 3104 E. Camelback Rd.
Box 831
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Office: 4455 E. Camelback Rd.
Building A, Suite 215
Phoenix, AZ 85018
info@kidsinfocus.org
602.753.6339
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