OUR TEAM
Our Kids Incorporated team is passionate about helping children and families reach their full potential through education, affordable childcare and community support.
Officers/SENIOR LEADERSHIP
LaFonda Heidel
Executive Director and CEO
LaFonda Heidel is a graduate of Saint Leo University with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management. She also holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management. She has been with Kids Incorporated since 2004, where she has held several positions. This has allowed her the opportunity to learn every aspect of the organization and its services to the communities of Leon, Madison, and Jefferson counties. Since 2018, she has led the Kids Incorporated team as CEO. She also sits on several nonprofit boards including the United Partners for Human Services (UPHS). She is a member of Leadership Tallahassee Class 39. Community service and positive community impact is always at the forefront of her mind, which is why Kids Incorporated is so important to her. Her passion for children and children’s issues has been a priority of hers for over 20 years. When LaFonda is not working, she is spending time with her family, traveling, and volunteering.
Anita Bushnyakova
Chief Financial Officer
Anita Bushnyakova holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master degree from Florida State University . She also holds an Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma from the University of Cambridge where she was awarded with the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award. Anita sits on several nonprofit boards related to children’s issues, community enrichment, emerging technology and advancing opportunities and earnings for women. She is a graduate of Leadership Tallahassee Class 40 and was named of the 25 Women You Need to Know by the Tallahassee Democrat in 2024. Anita joined the Kids Incorporated team in June 2021. Originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, Anita speaks several languages and relocated to the United States in 2005. She’s been a resident of Tallahassee since 2011. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, volunteering and spending time with friends and family.
Brittany Russ
chief operations officer
Brittany is a graduate of Columbia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration as well as a Master of Business Administration in Human Resources Management. She is a veteran of the United States Army and proudly served our country for 12 years. With over 15 years of experience in customer service and human resources both in and out of the military, she began her role in Human Resources with Kids Incorporated in May 2019. This role has allowed her to build a strong rapport with the staff in all three counties by cultivating an environment of cohesiveness, accountability, and trust. She was promoted to COO in March 2024 as Kids Incorporated continues to expand its footprint in the Big Bend community. Brittany’s drive to serve others and passion to help people step into their purpose, is what motivates her in her career. When she is not working, Brittany is spending time with her family, dogs, and venturing to different restaurants being a foodie.
Kathy Moyer
Chief Program Officer
Kathy is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in her chosen field since 1982, joining Kids Incorporated in February 1992. As Chief Program Officer, Kathy provides leadership and oversight to our Kids Incorporated site directors and content area teams. She ensures high quality, developmentally appropriate education, child assessments, professional development, family, health and safety services for each center and home-based program. She works with her team to provide oversight in monitoring and tracking outcomes to meet and exceed the goals and standards for Early Head Start Performance, APPLE Accreditation Standards, Florida Learning Development Standards, School Readiness Goals, Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) and Dept. of Children and Families State Regulations. Kathy finds her passion in laying the foundation for our children, their families and our Kids Incorporated staff to succeed. When she’s not working, Kathy enjoys spending time with her family.
OUR TEAM
Our Kids Incorporated team is passionate about helping children and families reach their full potential through education, affordable childcare and community support.
Officers/SENIOR LEADERSHIP
LEADERSHIP TEAM
ADMINISTRATION
Wendi Blanton
Family & Health Services Director
Julie Boyer
GL Accountant
Debbie Cooper
Operations Manager
Donna Hines
Education Director
Bella Kruger
Volunteer Specialist
Calandra McGhee
Education Specialist
Darren O’Dell
Compliance Manager
Marjorie Schoelles
Development Director
Julia Walls
Finance and Events Coordinator
BRANDON'S PLACE at Lincoln, TALLAHASSEE
Bessica Nelson
Site Director, Brandon’s Place at Lincoln
Samone Huntley
Head Teacher at Brandon’s Place at Lincoln
Deborah Benjamin
Family Advocate, Brandon’s Place at Lincoln & Jefferson County Early Head Start
Maria Heidorn
Health & Inclusion Services Coordinator
Brandon’s Place & Budd Bell
BRIGHT dAYS, MADISON
Linda Jones
Site Director, Bright Days
Tamirah Ray
Head Teacher, Bright Days
Sheila Jackson
Parent Educator, Madison
Chad Arnold
Family/Health & Inclusion Coordinator
Madison & Jefferson Counties
BUDD bELL EARLY LEARNING CENTER, tALLAHASSEE
floor 1
Shauna Martin
Site Director, Budd Bell Early Learning Center
Floor 1
Rosy Brock
Head Teacher at Budd Bell Early Learning Center
Floor 1
Linda Thalheimer
Family Advocate, Budd Bell Early Learning Center
floor 2
Rami Brock
Site Director, Budd Bell Early Learning Center
Floor 2
LiLi Denmark
Head Teacher, Budd Bell Early Learning Center
Floor 2
JEFFERSON COUNTY EARLY HEAD START, MONTICELLO
Melissa Morgan
Site Director, Jefferson County Early Head Start
Robin Forbes
Head Teacher, Jefferson County Early Head Start
Join OUR TEAM
If you’re interested in a career that helps shape lives and makes a difference for families in our community, and enjoy working in a family-friendly environment, the Kids Incorporated team may be the right fit for you!
Have Questions?
Find answers to frequently asked questions about our organization, programs and events.
