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.
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

Board Members

Gerardo Mancilla, Ph.D., President

Nancy Saiz, MSW APSW, Vice-President

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

Stephanie Moreno

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
Altar for Lesli Ann @ Day of the Dead Community Altar

