Barbara has been a children’s health educator and advocate since her own children entered public school, and in 2003 spearheaded a CA coalition to successfully pass the first ever school lunch legislation calling for daily plant-based school lunches and nutrition education that includes a plant-based perspective (ACR 16, CA 2003). Three more states followed suit. She founded HKHP in 2010, to further the goals of the legislation. Barbara earned a BFA in theatre, and every now and again works as a professional actress in So Cal. barbara@healthykidshappyplanet.org
Shura has been involved in education efforts centered around healthy food choices and environmental protection for over ten years. After gaining diverse experiences with multiple nonprofits in this field, Shura joined HKHP’s team in 2018, expanding and managing our Eat for the Planet program for middle, high school and college students. The program continues to grow throughout California and beyond! Shura earned her BA in Social Psychology. She is a passionate educator and skilled speaker, who loves spending her days empowering youth to create a better world. shura@healthykidshappyplanet.org
Andrea joined HKHP’s team in 2022 to expand our presence in Los Angeles – the 2nd largest school district in the country! After gaining over a decade of experience working with kids of all ages, and earning her BFA in theater—she is thrilled to be applying these skillsets to her passion for educating youth about the impact of their food choices. Her background in both childcare and performing makes her an enthusiastic and engaging ambassador for both our elementary and high school programs. She is grateful to be living the best of both worlds: acting in Hollywood films and empowering youth to create a greener and kinder world! andrea@healthykidshappyplanet.org
Lita Esposito is a middle and high school cross country track and field coach and recently retired middle school science teacher. Lita is an avid runner, traveler, reader, hiker, and foodie, who loves exploring new restaurants. Exercise and nutrition have been a lifelong passion of Lita’s who has spent her career educating thousands of students on the lifelong benefits of both. She and husband Joe have 2 adult children and reside in Oceanside, CA. They enjoy spending time in their garden and taking long walks with their dog, Bowie.
Dr. Nadiv is a pediatrician at Permanente Medicine (aka Kaiser) in Daly City. Originally from San Diego. She completed her undergraduate at Duke University and medical school at UCSD. She moved to the Bay Area in 2005 and joined Kaiser full time in 2014. Dr. Nadiv lives in San Carlos with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys exercise of any kind, eating and cooking plant-based meals, being with family, spending time in nature, reading and participating in book clubs, photography, and traveling. drnadiv.com
Tina is a recently retired elementary physical education teacher, having enjoyed her dream job in the Oceanside Unified School District for 32 years, recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2001. She was a founding member of the OUSD District Wellness Committee and continues to serve there post retirement. Tina has always been passionate about health and fitness, and played Volleyball and Softball at Palomar Community College and then Sonoma State University, where she was inducted into the SSU Athlete Hall of Fame in 1999. After a colleague (science teacher) introduced her to a whole food diet, it set her on a path to a plant-based diet that changed her life. She carries that passion forward, supporting HKHP in its nutrition education mission. Tina lives in Oceanside, California with her husband Augie.
Steve has been an education professional since 2000, currently serving as Director of Adult Ed – Career Technical Education for the Grossmont Union High School District. Prior to his current position, he served for 5 years as principal at Madison Middle School in the Vista Unified School District and 5 years as principal of Emerald STEAM Magnet School in El Cajon. Steve has a B.A. in social sciences from San Diego State University, a master’s of science in special education degree from National University, and a masters of arts in educational leadership from San Diego State University. His life long passion is to help students discover their inner strengths and values, through education. Steve is an avid cyclist and organic gardener, and resides in La Mesa with his wife and two daughters.
Advisory Board
Amy Haessly, Child Nutrition Director, Fallbrook Union ESD
Miguel Villarreal, Child Nutrition Director CA & TX (retired)
Ken Fisher, Businessman & Founder of Heal the Planet
Phil Goscienski, MD, Pediatrician (retired) and Author, the Stone Age Diet
Leslie Engel, Elementary School Teacher
Cheryl Craig, Registered Dietician, Member American Dietetic Association
Adrianne Hakes, Retired School Superintendent & School Board Member
Oceanside, CA, United States