Kind Lesli Ann Ambassadors

Non-for-Profit organization based in Madison, WI

Lesli Ann's Impact

Lesli Ann was a source of light to those who knew and loved her. 

She touched the lives of many through her community involvement and tireless practice of kindness and generosity. Lesli was an AVID Scholar; member of MULTICO student theater troupe; 2014 graduate of Madison West High School, where she had served in the Restorative Justice Court; a volunteer at Oakwood Village Retirement Community and Easter Seals Wisconsin Camps; and an AmeriCorps Schools of Hope volunteer at Chavéz, Lake View, Sandburg and Hawthorne Elementary schools in Madison. Lesli Ann was committed to making the world a better place by living with love, kindness, compassion, and acceptance of others.

EastersealsWI-Logo schools of hope logo

Our Story

"Lesli Ann's Kindness Fund" was established through
the Madison Community Foundation in December 2020.

Through the generosity of friends and family, “Lesli Ann’s Kindness Fund” was established in December 2020 at the Madison Community Foundation. Kindness is everything, and in Lesli Ann’s honor, we will continue to recognize and support acts of kindness in our community. Through this fund, we hope to establish scholarships to be awarded to deserving young students who display great kindness to others. We invite you to join our efforts to keep Lesli Ann’s legacy alive in perpetuity. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

 

 

Kind Lesli Ann Ambassadors

The Kind Lesli Ann Ambassadors was established as a nonprofit organization in 2022 to recognize and support acts of kindness in our community. The organization recognizes elementary, middle, and high school students who display great kindness to others. They also present the Lesli Ann Jordán-Vázquez Memorial Kindness Scholar Award to an outstanding and kind college student. Lastly, they also present the Community Sunshine Award to local individuals and business who are constantly supporting the community. We invite you to join our efforts to keep Lesli Ann’s legacy alive in perpetuity.

Mission, Vision, & Values

The Kind Lesli Ann Foundation’s mission is to positively impact lives and our community through both awards and financial recognition of acts of kindness by students, organizations, and businesses in our local community.

 

Our vision focus is to spread and encourage kindness throughout our community in honor of the legacy of Lesli Ann Jordán Vázquez.

 

Our values include inspiring, healing, empowering, and well-being through kindness

Founding Board

Established April 9, 2021

Board Members

Gerardo Mancilla, Ph.D., President
Dr. Gerardo Mancilla is an Associate Professor of Education at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. He earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Mancilla’s research interests include Critical Race Theory, LatCrit, the school-to-prison pipeline, bilingual education, and immigration. Previously, Dr. Mancilla was a Bilingual Resource Teacher and Dual Language Immersion teacher. He also hosts the podcast Educators and Immigration.
Nancy Saiz, MSW APSW, Vice-President
Nancy Saiz is a Community Development Specialist for the City of Madison, Community Development Division where she manages and oversees city of Madison contracts for nonprofit organizations who serve city of Madison residents. Nancy is also a part time Trauma Support Specialist for Dane County, Office of Victim Services Crime Response program. She is an advocate for civil rights, diversity, and racial equity for all with an intention and focus towards indigenous and immigrant communities.. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social welfare with a minor in Spanish, a certificate in Chicano Studies, and a Master’s in Social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Social Work. Nancy has been part of the Madison community for 29 years. She met her husband Sean Saiz, raised their 3 children in Madison’s west side and all attended MMSD.
Celsa Rodriguez
Celsa Rodríguez, MSW, Secretary

Celsa Rodríguez is a Bilingual Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Case Manager for Dane County. She is an experienced Social Work Case Manager with strong community and social services professional skills. She has worked in Service Coordination, Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, Training, and Family Services. She received her bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies with a certificate in Chicano Studies and her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

William Acevedo, Treasurer

William Acevedo is a Warehouse Material Control Manager at Stainless Tank & Equipment Company. William is a long time family friend and a mentor.

Aíssa Olivárez, Esq.

Aíssa Olivárez is an advisor, coach, and lead facilitator for Step Up for Equity, where she is focused on raising equity in our country’s most important institutions. Aíssa graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School. She is an immigration attorney and a powerful advocate for eliminating bias in the courtroom and in the classroom. She offers invaluable perspectives for leaders and policymakers seeking to make systematic change, drawn from her experiences in working as a bilingual teacher in her native Texas and representing children detained at the U.S.-Mexico border. She serves as managing attorney for the Community Immigration Law Center (CILC) where she provides deportation defense. As a former educator, she is passionate about closing the school-to-prison pipeline and ensuring that most kids have teachers who look like them.

Gia P. Euler-Plath
Gia P. Euler-Plath currently is the Outreach Coordinator and Academic Advisor for the First Wave Hip Hop and Urban Arts Learning Community, which is a full-tuition scholarship program on the UW-Madison campus. First Wave is the first and only program of its kind, with three main pillars: Academics, Arts, and Activism. Before moving to First Wave, Gia was an Undergraduate Freshman Admissions Counselor in the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, as well as the First Wave Admissions Liaison. Gia was born and raised in Madison and studied abroad in Ecuador for a year. After graduating from UW-Madison with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, she returned to Quito to work at the same university she had attended as an English Professor. This work solidified Gia’s dedication towards centering her career path on Education. Upon returning to the U.S., Gia worked as the Madison Education Specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) for six years. She worked with students at three middle schools and one high school in Madison. Additionally, Gia served a year as the PreCollege Coordinator for Madison College before moving to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
Stephanie Moreno
Stephanie Moreno is the South Central Regional Lead Coordinator for the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership (WRTP) and Building Group Skilled Trades Employment Program (BIG STEP). She is an experienced and knowledgeable professional in apprenticeships and is skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Spanish, Management, Fundraising, and Marketing. She is a strong community and social service professional. Stephanie received her bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Verónica Figueroa

Verónica Figueroa is the Executive Director for Dane Arts Mural Arts (DAMA). She was introduced to mural and 3D art at a local church in her native Puerto Rico. Her love for art have become an integral part of who she is. Verónica received her Associate Degree in Graphic Design from Madison College and a Bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy from Edgewood College. Previously, Verónica was the Executive Director for UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Art and creativity have always been the manifestation of everything she has done. Verónica also has a small art business called MVF Art and Design. She believes that we are all creative beings and our own originality helps us survive and thrive.

We See You

Media

Link to Madison 365 Article About Lesli Ann

Capital City Hues
Printed Article

Altar for Lesli Ann @ Day of the Dead Community Altar