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Kim Longacre, Director of Education (Consulting)
Kim founded and taught at the Phoenix School preschool from 1985-1999. While there she honed her curriculum development skills and managed a staff of 20 employees.
 
In her current teaching, Kim blends Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia techniques in her classrooms. This ensures she meets the needs of children with a variety of learning styles. Over the years she has developed and designed curriculums for language arts, math, science, and social studies that meet Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) objectives. Perhaps most importantly Kim includes music and art in her lessons whenever possible and never forgets that learning should be fun. Kim used her vast knowledge of early childhood education and social/emotional learning in development of the current HEY! Curriculum content. 
 
In addition to duties with HealthStart, Kim is a member of the band The Reivers. She has performed throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Jonathan Mendoza, Co-chair
Jonathan practices nutritional medicine in Austin, TX. He is the owner of MSW Lounge, a health and wellness clinic that offers vitamin injections, vitamin IVs, hormone replacement therapy, and yoga classes. He believes that food and nutrition along with hormone balancing will allow our bodies to function optimally. If we give our bodies the right nutrients we will function better. 

Jonathan also believes we need to educate our children on the importance of nutrition. If we can start teaching our children at an early age about how food and health depend on one another, then we can start to make this world healthier for future generations. Jonathan is proud to be part of such a wonderful organization that shares this vision.

In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys running Austin's beautiful trails with his wife, Merrick, and their son, Omar and can be seen at various Austin music venues. He grew up in south Austin and is proud to call Austin his home. 

"Everyday you are either building health, or building disease."
Erin Damm, MPH, ACSM-HFS, Donor Experiences Coordinator
Erin is Healthstart’s Donor Experience Coordinator. She uses her vast talent to build community partnerships and awareness through social media marketing, fundraising, and community engagement.

Erin’s passion for nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle health education developed during her undergraduate studies in Health Promotion and Human Physiology at the University of Iowa (2009) and continued throughout her public health studies and research at Saint Louis University (2011). Previously having engaged in a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Active Living Research study, she understands the importance of evaluation of built environment and education to encouraging youth to make successful health choices. Erin is also an American College of Sports Medicine Exercise Physiologist and advanced Yoga Alliance certified instructor. She founded the Yoga Retreat and Training Company Light the Spark Within, LLC in 2016. She believes strongly that education is key to the understanding that balancing all aspects of life leads to optimal wellness and happiness.

In addition to HealthStart, Erin actively teaches yoga throughout the Austin Community. In her free time she enjoys live music, running, hiking, and spending time with family and friends (including her adorable nieces & nephew).
Irfan Hydari, Medical Director, Emergency Department, Seton Medical Center, Past Board Chair, Ex-officio
Irfan Hydari is the Director of the Emergency Department Medical at Seton's flagship hospital in Central Austin. His educational background includes a B.A. in Business Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, an M.D. from Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, and residency training at the University of Texas at Houston. He also successfully completed an Advanced Post-Graduate Program in Health Management Services at NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

Irfan loves to travel the world with his partner, Karey, and is newly obsessed with the game of golf.
Deedee De La Cruz, Marketing Manager, Board Chair
Deedee has worked in the nonprofit and health sectors for the past six years. In her current work with Bazaarvoice, Deedee uses her marketing expertise to connect brands and retailers to consumers. She has a passion for the creative process and a knack for marketing strategy.

Previously she was the Sr. Marketing and Communications Specialist with EnvolvePeople Care. Deedee holds a BA in Advertising and Public Relations from St. Edward’s University. 
 
When Deedee is not at work she can be found hiking the Austin trails with her pup Dexter and husband Manny.
Jonathan Mendoza, Member, Scientific Committee
Jonathan practices nutritional medicine in Austin, TX. He is the owner of MSW Lounge, a health and wellness clinic that offers vitamin injections, vitamin IVs, hormone replacement therapy, and yoga classes. He believes that food and nutrition along with hormone balancing will allow our bodies to function optimally. If we give our bodies the right nutrients we will function better. 

Jonathan also believes we need to educate our children on the importance of nutrition. If we can start teaching our children at an early age about how food and health depend on one another, then we can start to make this world healthier for future generations. Jonathan is proud to be part of such a wonderful organization that shares this vision.

In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys running Austin's beautiful trails with his wife, Merrick, and their son, Omar and can be seen at various Austin music venues. He grew up in south Austin and is proud to call Austin his home. 

"Everyday you are either building health, or building disease."
Sandy Coe Simmons, Enterprise IT Director for the Travis County Healthcare District, dba, Central Health, Board Treasurer
Sandy has over 25 years experience with healthcare programs, policies, data and analytics primarily focused on the safety net population.  Her work experience includes state, county, for profit and non-profit organizations.  Sandy was one of the original employees of the Integrated Care Collaboration, which is Texas' oldest health information exchange (HIE), and helped to create a system of data and information exchange for area safety net providers.

Sandy has always been interested and involved with issues related to health and well-being.  A nearly life-long vegetarian (at age 16), Sandy has completed 2 marathons, 4 triathlons and 2 duathlons, the MS 150 bike ride from Houston to Austin, and numerous other fitness events.  

Sandy holds a bachelors and masters degree in Anthropology.  She is currently a Meals on Wheels volunteer route driver, and a Habitat for Humanity team lead.
Rhona Williams London, Immediate Past Board Chair, Chair Board Nominations Committee
Rhona Williams London, M.S., brings a diverse profile to the discipline of communications. Her professional experience spans media, marketing and public relations.

She has held leadership positions with healthcare systems in Texas, New Jersey and Tennessee. Williams London began her career in healthcare communications with leadership roles at academic medical centers in Nebraska, Missouri and Florida, following a tenure in broadcast journalism and in marketing and public relations for Adolph Coors Company and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Colorado. 
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In retirement, Williams London continues to practice as a pro bono communications consultant and as a HealthStart Foundation board member.