Community Corner
Susan Kenny Named as First CEO of UPLIFT Yoga Foundation
Longtime nonprofit professional Susan Kenny was recently named CEO of UPLIFT Yoga Foundation
Susan Kenny will serve as the first CEO of the nonprofit that supports teen mental health through peer connection, movement, and mindfulness.
“Susan’s passion for creating big change could not have come to UPLIFT at a better time as we scale our teen mental health mission from reaching hundreds to thousands,” said UPLIFT Yoga Foundation Founder Erica Austin.
Susan was most recently Founder and Chief of Do GOODer Partners, a consulting firm that empowers companies to engage their teams and customers in volunteerism and social action in the communities where they live and work. For over 20 years, she’s been a professional fundraiser working with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Court Appointed Special Advocates. She has served on numerous committees including the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Educational Seminar, OneOC’s Spirit of Volunteerism, and the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce’s Women of Influence.
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“I’m extremely proud to join UPLIFT as its first CEO. As the mother of teenagers, I understand the importance of effective teen mental health programs. With teen mental health at all time low, this mission is incredibly important. UPLIFT makes an impact now and well into the future,” said Kenny.
Susan is a graduate of the University of Arizona and earned a Human Resource Management Certificate from the University of California, Irvine. She resides in Huntington Beach and is the proud parent of two young men.
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About UPLIFT Yoga Foundation
In 2005, Erica Austin started The Joe Upshaw Memorial Foundation following the accidental drug overdose of her brother. Initially focused on educating college students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, the organization evolved into UPLIFT Yoga Foundation with co-founder Camilla Bruno to support overall teen mental health. In 2019, the nonprofit developed a unique approach to aiding teens by creating a teaching model which trains teens to become certified yoga instructors. Aided by adult mentors, teen instructors lead programs where participants benefit from peer connection, movement, mindfulness, and gaining valuable tools to serve them throughout their lives. UPLIFT programs serve teens of all ages in Orange and San Diego counties providing financial assistance to ensure their programs are available to all.
For more information, visit www.upliftyogafoundation.org.
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