Board of Advisors

KC Christensen-Lang, is the Owner and President of Happiness Is... an innovative company promoting "Powerful Tools For Positive Living." As a Joyologist, Success Coach, Keynote Speaker and Business trainer, she specializes in personal and business coaching to individuals worldwide, humor, laughter and stress reduction programs, staff training and seminars for companies, federal, state and town departments, hospitals, universities, schools, groups, assisted living facilities, senior centers and nonprofits.

With 30+ years of management, promotion and marketing experience and a former CEO of several agencies, KC is also a PR Consultant/Publicist for coaches, speakers, entrepreneurs, business owners and authors worldwide who want to grow their business, obtain increased PR and media coverage or promote their services or product.

She is co-author of the book, "Speaking Of Success" with Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul), Ken Blanchard (One Minute Manager) and Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People.) This mother of three boys, has worked with teens for years, raised millions for nonprofits and believes strongly in the positive mission of Hey U G L Y and it's exciting ability to support teenagers worldwide.

Nana Gilbert-Baffoe is one of the nation's leading young entrepreneurs. A recent graduate from the University of Illinois in Chicago, Nana created S2SNetwork, a website dedicated to helping college students save money on everything from text books to plane tickets. He contributes his web development, marketing and e-commerce expertise to Hey U G L Y with unwavering dedication.

John E. Keilly is a managing partner of Strategic Partner's, LLC, a firm that helps clients better understand and act on the rational and emotional drivers of "big ticket" consumer purchases. Previously, he was a marketing and product planning executive with Ford Motor and one of the company's first brand managers. Keilly was a key player in the company's project to better understand the wants and needs of today's youth. He later led a similar consumer insight project that targeted the Baby Boomer generation. He is active in mentoring and helping young people make good choices and navigate their way through the complex modern world.

Sporty King is co-founder of Hey U G L Y. He is an author, poet and international public speaker who inspires students and parents to have healthy self-esteem, a positive attitude, positive vocabulary and intolerance for bullying. He has reached over 500,000 students across the country through speaking venues at junior high and high school assemblies. Sporty is reaching teens through Hey U G L Y's eM-POWERment Day in-school presentations during a time where it is said they can't be reached. But most important, he helps them change. Momma Hawk, former Principal of Paderewski School in Chicago says it best, "Sporty King transformed my entire student body. I know we have all had motivational speakers who have done something in our schools, but this guy is a miracle worker. Children and parents love him and my school has had remarkable growth in reading and writing under his services."

Leslie Kolber is the Regional Director for Connect with Kids; a community outreach initiative with television stations and school districts across the country. Leslie brings a passion for improving the lives of children and 20 years of sales and marketing experience to the Advisory Board. She is dedicated to helping kids get the tools they need to deal with the tough issues they face today.

Rieva Lesonsky, former editorial director of Entrepreneur magazine has been covering the entrepreneurial marketplace for over 22 years, believes that the path to success lies in taking control of your own destiny. Her motto: "If you believe and if you persist, all things are possible," applies whether you're a 40-year old business owner or a 14-year old teenager. While she loves living in Irvine, CA, she remains a New Yorker at heart.

Jeanie Stone, School Based Educator, is founder of Respect Day and the Respect Team at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in South Paris, Maine. A 17 year owner of a successful children's clothing store, she is currently the coordinator of violence prevention events and presents sexual violence prevention information for the Rape Education And Crisis Hotline organization throughout Oxford County, Maine. She worked with a teen
empowerment group to create an after school coffee house for teens; co-founded the Learning Center, an academic tutorial program; the Oxford Hills Skate Park, empowering teen boys to lead the project; and established ropes courses within the high school. Jeanie has 3 grown children who are married, and each of them have 2 children, all her pride and joy!

Christine L. Thomas, CFP is a financial advisor for American Express Financial Advisors Inc. who is dedicated to helping teens achieve their potentials.

Lisa Washington, M.A. in Education is the educational correspondent for ABC-TV and a Kohl McCormick award-winning teacher.

Jill Zimmerman Rutledge, M.S.W. LCSW has been counseling youth for more than 20 years out of her offices in Evanston, IL. She is psychotherapist and clinical consultant for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) and author of:  Dealing With The Stuff That Makes Life Tough: The Ten Things That Stress Girls Out and How To Cope With Them and  Picture Perfect: What You Need To Feel Better About Your Body.

Back to About Us