We are thrilled to welcome four new board members into the Kindling Group family. With professional expertise that ranges from law to finance to marketing and advertising, and bringing with them such passions as wildlife conservation, dance, the arts, and social justice, we are excited about all of the ways that their experience and skills will help Kindling continue to grow.
Without further ado, allow us to introduce:
Josie Davis
Josie is the Founder & Chief Creative Officer of Curmudgeon Group, a creative firm specializing in the ideation, strategy, and executive production of experiential arts and social impact advertising campaigns. Before founding Curmudgeon Group, she had an impressive career as a musician, performer, and theater director. Josie also serves as a volunteer tutor with World Relief, working with migrant families from Myanmar, and a Partner in Conservation with the World Wildlife Fund, where she is actively engaged in tiger conservation and illegal trade across the U.S. and Asia. On her decision to join Kindling’s board, she says, “Kindling Group understands the opportunity for making a true impact by engaging communities in the filmmaking and creative process. I am drawn to the selfless, approachable, dedicated, and highly ambitious nature of the organization and the people it attracts, and am thrilled to work alongside fellow board members, staff, and filmmakers to shape the future of an organization that has already accomplished so much. Most importantly, I am excited to advocate, educate, strategize, and expand my knowledge in film production, building a strong foundation that allows for continued growth and lasting impact.”
Jorge Gamboa
Jorge came to Chicago to attend Northwestern University School of Law for his last year of law school. Now Jorge helps clients litigate employment and consumer disputes throughout the United States. At Stephan Zouras, LLP he helps employees, often times low wage workers, recover money owed to them by their employers, and consumers who were subject to an illegal business practice when purchasing a product or service. Jorge is a passionate advocate for his clients. He takes time to understand their legal issues and speaks to them in the language they’re most comfortable with, whether it is English or Spanish. Jorge received his bachelor’s degree from Boston College, and obtained his law degree from a top 50 law school, Fordham University School of Law in New York. Jorge says, “I was initially attracted to Kindling Group because of its mission: affecting change for a better world. But after I saw the organization’s documentaries, I was moved, and couldn’t wait to work with people who produce high quality films that shine a spotlight on worthy causes, great stories, and incredible individuals. I was also excited to join Kindling’s Board because it was an wonderful opportunity to apply my legal training in a creative way.”
Jenni Holt
Jenni Holt is a creative integrated marketing communications executive who during her 25-year career has gained expertise in developing strategy and creative content for omnichannel marketing. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where she received a BFA in Visual Communication, and is presently working on a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University. Jenni believes the arts are essential to understanding and expressing oneself, and through that expression, can create meaning and purpose to life. She has been a patron and subscriber of the arts in Chicago including the Joffrey Ballet, Steppenwolf Theater, Writers’ Theatre, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Globally, working for social change is a focus for Jenni. She engages with and travels to Malawi, Africa to teach computer skills, support efforts to expand access to clean water, and provide guidance in creating self-sustaining income-generating ideas for a vulnerable community of widows. Working locally, Jenni volunteers for the Night Ministry, which provides housing, health care, and human connection to members of the Chicago community struggling with poverty or homelessness. She is also a business volunteer for the arts through the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, providing marketing leadership for nonprofit arts organizations. Jenni says, “Supporting the Kindling Group by using my experience and skills in marketing and creative to help engage people with important social issues is a dream combination for me – I truly believe this will be the most rewarding work I have done."
Navi Sandhu
Navi joins Kindling with a huge amount of financial management experience and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Currently, she works as a commercial real estate analyst for HFF in Chicago. In her personal life, Navi has been practicing and performing Bhangra, a folk dance form from Northwest India, for over 10 years. She has been the captain of multiple New York City based Bhangra teams, such as Shaan Mutiyraan Di, an all-female independent dance troupe and BX Bhangra, a coed college dance troupe from Fordham University. She’s also performed extensively with award winning teams like Anakh E Gabroo, East Side Alliance and Columbia Bhangra. Navi is extremely excited to share this energetic and unique dance form in Chicago. Most recently, she taught Bhangra fitness classes at Akemi Dance Studio in Evanston. She also choreographed multiple dance performances while at the Kellogg School of Management. Navi Sandhu has also been involved in youth media literacy and was a former board member of People’s Production House in New York City. As part of the organization, she completed two radio documentaries and multiple radio news pieces, which were aired on the Pacifica radio network.
After reading a little about these four amazing people, we know you’ll be just as in awe of them as we are — and as excited to have them on the team.