Ignite Nation’s Mantra
Kris and her husband, Ashoke, joined forces 23 years ago, driven by a shared vision that transcends personal ambitions. Amid the responsibilities of raising a family of five children, they seized the opportunity to empower schools and enhance their cultural fabric.
Through extensive collaborations with a multitude of schools, Kris, an insightful leader, adeptly interweaves experiential learning and leadership into every facet of Ignite. She is widely acclaimed for her pioneering student-led mentoring program and elementary character development initiatives, which have positively impacted over half a million students. Kris possesses an innate capacity for grasping the broader landscape and boasts a wealth of experience in partnering with school districts across 19 states, facilitating the fortification of their workforce as the driving force for solutions.
In her leisure time, Kris cherishes embarking on adventures with her adult children and grandchildren. She is a food enthusiast with a love for international travel, as well as an affinity for spending time in the Pacific Northwest, where she indulges in boating and hiking activities.
Ashoke began his second career after being Sr. VP of Sales for Great American Opportunities. He had a passion to help schools transform their school culture and to help administrators strengthen their leadership skills.
This drive led him to co-found Ignite Consulting with his wife Kris in 1998. Ashoke spent the past 22 years partnering with districts across the country supporting staff through the Ignite Culture Advancement System. This creative process includes research practices from Smart & Good Schools. The character based solutions provide the foundational alignment for common language and step by step process of upgrading school culture.
He loved to play tennis, reading and hang out with his 5 kids, grandkids and wife Kris. Ashoke passed away in February 2020, but his vision and leadership lives on.
Jeff began his first career as a graphic designer and dabbling artist for one of the largest digital sign companies in the midwestern US. He could not escape his passion for people. These passions brought him to a 25+ year career in working with students and student families.
Jeff’s commitment and impact has allowed him to see students become powerful world changers and global citizens across the midwestern and southwestern US. Jeff has dedicated his life to coach and see students discover who they are and how they can live with passion, purpose and meaning.
Jeff’s commitment and impact has allowed him to see students become powerful world changers and global citizens across the midwestern and southwestern US. Jeff has dedicated his life to coach and see students discover who they are and how they can live with passion, purpose and meaning.
Jeff has partnered with the Ignite Team for over a decade and is currently serving as the Director of Training. While working with Ignite, Jeff has been able to thrive in his wheelhouse and share his inspirational story of growing up as “that Kid’ and how a mentor changed the course of his life.
Jeff, and his wife Jana, currently reside in Phoenix AZ. When not working with students you will find him outdoors on a backpacking hiking adventure or experiencing the thrill of adrenaline through motorsports. Occasionally, he can still be found creating a commissioned art piece for friends and family. Jeff’s “bucket list” adventures are to backpack to basecamp at Mt. Everest and the entire John Muir Trail.
Interestingly, he might be bit of a ‘unicorn’… he, enjoys doing home repairs and remodeling his house.
Meet Janilla Augofie also known as NiNi.
Nini was raised in Federal Way, WA & is a graduate of Federal Way High School, where she prides herself on being Eagle Alum. Being mentored in the program, her leadership skills grew not only in her school community but in her life journey. With ignite enhancing Federal Way’s community, Nini's 2014 graduating class earned 11.2 Million dollars in scholarships for higher education.
Nini was raised in Federal Way, WA & is a graduate of Federal Way High School, where she prides herself on being Eagle Alum. Being mentored in the program, her leadership skills grew not only in her school community but in her life journey. With ignite enhancing Federal Way’s community, Nini's 2014 graduating class earned 11.2 Million dollars in scholarships for higher education.
Being a part of that pot, Nini attended and graduated from the University of Washington where she Double-majored in Medical Anthropology and Global Health & American Ethnic Studies, all while being a Flight Attendant. If you meet her she’d probably tell you that the sky is not the limit and to aim for the stars.
Nini is now a part of our Marketing Team and loves being a Coach. She is passionate about equity in education and reaching underserved communities involved with the schools Ignite Partners with.
In Nini’s spare-time she loves to write, read, roller-skate and cook. If she could do it all with family she’d prefer it that way. (She’s the oldest of 11 and to say the least she’s very family oriented).
Meet another one of Ignites lead trainers Aliyah Carector. (Yes, Coco & Aliyah are sisters. There's nothing like an Ignite family without siblings.)
Aliyah graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in American Ethnic Studies.
Aliyah graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in American Ethnic Studies.
Over the last 8 years Aliyah has continuously partnered with Ignite working with students and faculty across the country. She brings depth, fun and so much joy to Ignites culture and team. One day she hopes to somehow unite her two passions and use fashion to uplift youth with her own Fashion Brand. Aliyah lives her life embodying the values of compassion, determination, and resilience. Values that Ignite are proud to watch Aliyah thrive with.
In her free time when she's not being a fashionista educator she enjoys boxing, singing, and traveling especially where it's warm & tropical.
Jeannie Oliver has over 20 years of experience in education, including teaching, curriculum design & alignment, DEIA and professional learning facilitation. Jeannie has had the honor of partnering with schools in the Middle East, Asia and across the country. Her passion for student engagement, improving effective teacher instruction, and student success in learning is what drives her collaborative process every day. Believing in continual learning and enhancing her craft, she’s committed to being a thought-partner, sharing best practices, and lean into creative approaches that’ll help teachers and administrators improve and enhance instruction to provide students with optimal learning experiences.
Jeannie facilitates professional learning sessions focused on topics such as student engagement through technology, diversity, equity, improving teacher instruction, enhancing administrative support of teachers, increasing student achievement through research-based instructional strategies, and using data to inform instruction. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University.
Jeannie has witnessed the impact IGNITE can have in helping schools and students design their own peer-to-peer program to support ALL students learn, grow and belong. Additionally, she loves learning and encouraging students to dream and live life to its fullest. It wasn’t until her late teen-age years someone instilled in her that dreams can come true, and ever since then you can catch her mountain biking a trail, knitting a hat, or traveling the world with her family.
Everyone meet Mr. Myles Rice. He wears his heart on his sleeve and it's no wonder that he hails from Houston, Texas. A true southern gentleman.
Myles graduated from the University of Washington; Double-Majoring in Fine Arts & American Ethnic Studies with a focus on Black Culture, all while being a Defensive Line-backer on the football team. He's no stranger to hard work & dedication.
Myles joined Ignite enhancing the work with his reverence and eye for visuals. He loves all avenues of art and creative expression. It is his passion to give back and pay it forward in our school communities, he aspires always to do so by doing it with love.
In his spare time he loves to play basketball, and when he gets the chance he loves to travel. (Probably with a basketball in his suitcase)
Everyone meet Alisha Saucedo who goes by Ali. She is a breath of fresh air and has been a part of the Ignite Mentoring Program since she started as an executive mentor in High School.
Ali was the girl's basketball, track and cross-country team captain. Leadership has always been a central part of her life through school and extracurriculars.
Ali graduated from Saint Martin’s University studying Secondary Education and Race & Ethnic Studies. She is currently getting her Master's in Education at Seattle University and hopes to become a high school leadership advisor someday to give back the same life-changing experiences and lessons she learned through Ignite & her leadership journey.
She is the leader of leaders and a model for 'Best Work' & 'Best Self' everyday!
Ali was an Act Six Scholar and Track/Cross Country Athlete at Saint Martin's University and is currently Track/Cross Country for Seattle U.
A master storyteller, world traveler and global citizen, Sven is an experimentalist that finds purpose in adventure and connection through people of every culture. With a master's degree in International Affairs, he has traveled to over 80 countries and all 50 states. His professional experience in the US Military, K-12 education, and technology & healthcare industries, has led him to become an international leader, speaker, adjunct professor, and author.
Most famous for surviving 15 near death experiences, to include a diving accident that left him a blind quadriplegic before a miraculous healing, he is an inspirational and effervescent speaker that inspires other to live in courage and resilience.
Sven currently resides in Phoenix, AZ as a Professor at Grand Canyon University. He has been an Ignite consultant and trainer since 2004 and has inspired more than 200,000 students across the nation.
As a former collegiate athlete and NFL hopeful his life has been anything but easy. He has turned his understanding of overcoming obstacles into a message of hope.
Tevin continues to write his story of overcoming adversity and work through the midst of his pain. He has spoken with over 250,000 people in the past 4 years and is currently writing a book and getting started on publishing his story.
His ability to connect with youth, and personal issues of dealing with diversity has made him the perfect partner for our Power Within event. Tevin is passionate about making an impact on the suicide epidemic and bringing awareness and help to the mental illness crisis. He started a nonprofit, ‘The Hope and Love’ in 2017. This movement has touched thousands of kids connecting them with resources, help and counselors.
Brandon leads the team that makes the magic happen. He is the lead editor and producer for Ignite's training videos for staff and students delivered through our online training system, and SPARK lessons. Brandon has professional experience in video editing and directing which he also loves to do in his free time.
Brandon recently graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Film Studies. He looks forward to continuing to use his skills to improve the culture of your school.