Frank Coniglio serves on the board of Cultivating Kind with a deep passion for creating inclusive and uplifting experiences for children and families facing medical challenges.

Born with Apert Syndrome, Frank understands the importance of kindness, visibility, and belonging for kids growing up with differences. He began attending Camp Superstar as a camper in 2012 and has been a dedicated volunteer since 2017, giving back to the same community that shaped him.

Frank holds a degree in Sports Administration and brings coaching experience at the prep and collegiate levels. Through Cultivating Kind, he hopes to help ensure that every child feels celebrated — no matter their journey.

Sarah Cooper serves as the Vice President at Cultivating Kindness, where she leads messaging efforts centered on fostering connection, empowering families, and creating safe, inclusive spaces where every person feels seen, supported, and valued.

As a certified speech-language pathologist she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. Born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, she has undergone more than forty surgeries and medical procedures—an experience that deeply shaped her passion for advocacy, accessibility, and inclusive community support. Her personal journey allows her to approach communications with empathy, authenticity, and a strong commitment to uplifting disabled youth and their families. She believes in the power of communication to build understanding, connection, and meaningful change.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys traveling, spending time at the beach, working out, and making memories with family and friends.

Dr. Venetia Bennett serves with Cultivating Kindness, bringing a deep commitment to creating spaces of belonging, resilience, and hope for children and families facing medical challenges. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Medical Family Therapist, Dr. Bennett understands the unique emotional landscapes families navigate when caring for children with craniofacial differences.

Having volunteered with Camp Superstar since 2010, Dr. Bennett has served in many roles—from volunteer to therapist, volunteer coordinator, and co-director. Each year, she crafts projects that foster community and courage, including collaborative art booklets filled with camper and family messages of strength. One mother shared how reading through these pages during hospital stays gave her and her son light on the darkest days.

Born with her own experiences of difference, Dr. Bennett carries a special empathy for children who feel unseen or misunderstood. “I have a passion for the underdogs,” she says. “These children and families experience so many trials and tribulations; I want to be a bright light on their journey.”

Dr. Bennett earned her Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy with a concentration in Medical Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University. She integrates this systemic and medical lens into her work, helping families navigate complex healthcare decisions without losing their ability to communicate, connect, and advocate for themselves.

Through Cultivating Kindness, Dr. Bennett hopes to ensure that every child and family feels seen, celebrated, and supported—no matter their journey.

LGBTQ Kindness Advisor

Hey! My name is Lex, and I am your board member go-to for LGBTQ advocacy and advice. I have been a part of the LGBTQ community for as long as I can remember, and I have plenty of experience in making sure our voices are heard.

Community and communication are so very important to me, and I love helping others feel welcomed and heard for who they are! Whether you’re out, unsure, or seeking advice through tough years in adolescence, my goal is to provide a comfortable, safe space for anyone to express their true selves or explore.

I was born with a cleft lip and palate, and went to Camp Superstar for over ten years as a camper, a volunteer, and a helper behind the scenes. I know the ins and outs of the experience, and how scary navigating it all can be, but we are not alone!

I am so excited to meet new people and hear all of your awesome stories.

Board Member, Cultivating Kindness

Joanne Shank is a speech-language pathologist who has supported individuals across all ages and backgrounds since 2011. With a career grounded in empathy and communication, she also dedicated ten years to volunteering with Camp SuperStar, helping create meaningful and inclusive experiences for children and families. Joanne is honored to serve on the Cultivating Kindness Board of Directors and is deeply committed to advancing the organization’s mission of compassion and community impact.

Joanne lives with her husband, their baby, and their two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing board games, and tackling escape rooms.

Kindness Board Advisor

JoNell S. is a nursing student from Florida with an Associate of Arts degree and a Medical Assistant certification.

Passionate about healthcare and helping others, she enjoys videogames, dancing, cooking, traveling, and watching sports.

Although born with frontal nasal dysplasia, JoNell has never let that define her—overcoming challenges like a childhood lisp and fear of public speaking.

She continues to pursue her journey toward becoming a nurse with determination and heart, eager to make a difference through compassion and care.

Program Director, Cultivating Kindness

Sarah Ieno is the Program Director of Cultivating Kindness, a community-rooted nonprofit dedicated to creating safe, inclusive spaces where families and youth feel seen, supported, and empowered. A passionate advocate for kindness and belonging, Sarah works to bridge connections between schools, families, and community partners to ensure every child has access to opportunities that nurture both heart and mind.

Her inspiration began with Camp Superstar, a program for children with craniofacial differences that taught her the power of compassion, inclusion, and shared joy. The friendships and courage she witnessed there planted the seeds for Cultivating Kindness, a movement built on love, service, and the belief that small acts of care can create lasting impact.