Leaven Kids Welcomes New Honorary Board Member

Leaven Kids Welcomes New Honorary Board Member: Dr. Avina Gupta, Organizational Psychologist and Senior Principal of Executive Development at Chick-fil-A

• Dr. Gupta brings 15+ years of experience in leadership strategy and organizational development with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)

FAIRFIELD, CA - Leaven Kids, a non-profit committed to early childhood education, has appointed Dr. Avina Gupta, organizational psychologist and senior principal of executive development at Chick-fil-A, to its Honorary Board of Directors. Here, Dr. Gupta will work with senior leadership to enhance staff development, strengthen organizational culture, and foster an inclusive learning environment for students and staff.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Gupta to our Honorary Board of Directors,” said Mark Lillis, Leaven Kids Chief Executive Officer. “Her 15+ years of experience in leadership and organizational development will be an invaluable resource for our team as we look to expand our national footprint and enhance our academic programming. Dr. Gupta’s unwavering commitment to serving others is a testament to her upstanding character, and we look forward to working with her over the coming months.”

As a senior principal of executive development at Chick-fil-A, Dr. Gupta develops world-class leaders who excel in high-growth, global business environments. She successfully launched two leadership development firms, where she pioneered executive coaching programs for small family-owned businesses and billion-dollar multinational corporations. Dr. Gupta’s most recent consultancy, CenterSpoke, partners with companies to create inclusive workplace cultures based on a shared sense of belonging. She has taught courses on leadership across the globe, from Vienna, Austria, to New York City. In addition, she serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children in Atlanta, Gerogia.

Dr. Gupta is passionate about disrupting the cycle of generational poverty and trauma, which disproportionately affects children from low-income communities. This aligns well with Leaven Kids’ mission, which delivers after-school tutoring and educational resources to students living in historically underserved neighborhoods. Leveraging her extensive experience, Dr. Gupta will support the development of Leaven Kids’ senior leadership, site directors, students, and families, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to uplift their communities and the people around them.

“I am honored to join Leaven Kids in their mission of youth empowerment and educational development,” said Dr. Gupta. “I am deeply committed to fostering environments where every child feels valued and supported. Through this role, I look forward to contributing to the growth of Leaven Kids as we continue to build a brighter, more inclusive future for the communities we serve.”