About Our Team

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Marla Huehmer

President and Founder 

Marla Huehmer is the Founder of Think Ahead Kids Foundation. Her inspiration to create this foundation came from her two daughters and their love for writing. 

 She and her daughters have written and illustrated Andrew The Blue-Eared Puppy, The Circus Fish, and The Big Move. She independently wrote Make Your Own The Big Move Book and Let’s Get Organized. Both are designed to be teaching tools. 

Her oldest daughter, Natasha, has written her first children's book for early readers. She chose to write this book to inspire little ones to learn to read. 

From Marla Huehmer's extensive experience as a School Psychologist and having counseled and supported children for over 20 years combined with her love for children's books, in 2020 she founded and now heads, Think Ahead Kids LLC. Think Ahead Kids website offers educational and heartfelt puppet shows, showcases the best SEL books, and activities that encourage learning at home. To further support children's authors and families, Think Ahead Kids created a new division, Think Ahead Kids Publishing. The main focus is to help future Self-Publishing Authors get their message out to the world.  

Natasha Huehmer

Head of Advisory and Co-Founder

Natasha Huehmer is 11-years-old and resides in Southern California with her parents, sister, and two dogs. She enjoys reading, learning, riding her bike and walking her dog. In 2019, she was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in the Friends of Ronald Reagan SP Essay Contest. Natasha advanced a grade during her Kindergarten year and has constantly been awarded certificates of academic excellence. 

She is a Published Child Author of the Beginner Reader Books Puppy's Garden Adventure, La Aventura de la Perrita en el Jardín (Puppy's Garden Adventure Translated), and Puppy's Garden Adventure Coloring and Activity Story Book. She was inspired to write a Beginner Reader book when she saw her younger sister reading a book on her own. Natasha understands the importance or reading and hopes her book will encourage younger children to read and learn.

Natasha also felt driven to lead a child department within the Think Ahead Kids Foundation that will encourage public speaking, entrepreneurship, and learning.  

London Huehmer

Co-Founder

London Huehmer is a 9-year-old who loves to read and write stories. She is a proud member of the MENSA High IQ Society. She is one of the Founders of the Think Ahead Kids Foundation. Writing takes her away to a place where she can create characters and settings focused on fictional adventures. When she is not reading or writing London enjoys training her puppies, playing the piano, and singing. 

London is an young Author whose work can be found in Think Ahead Kids Publishing's book, For Kids by Kids: Poems about Love. London had the pleasure of sharing her work with Ryan Seacrest during his book tour.  Look out for her New Book about an adventurous golden doodle named Malibu, which is set to debut early this year. 

Ashley Cunningham

Vice President

Ashley Cunningham is a local wife and mom of two children in Murrieta California.  Originally from Arizona, Ashley graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arizona with B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences in 2007.  In 2010, Ashley received her Juris Doctor in NonProfit and Public Organizational Management from Western State University, College of Law in Fullerton, California.

Ashley is also the Founder of a local dog rescue, Barks of Love, sits on the Board of the Murrieta Library Foundation, is the Publisher of Macaroni Kid Temecula-Murrieta-French Valley, and has a passion for using her platform to enhance the lives of children in her community and beyond.

Cindy Magana

Secretary

 Cindy Magana is a wife and a mother of 3 young daughters. She is a Southern California native who formerly worked in the dental field before taking on the adventure of homeschooling her children. In her spare time she enjoys reading, and practices self defense & seasonal sports along with her daughters. Her goal is to help parents and their children with resources for them to thrive and be confident in themselves in whatever they choose to do. 

Tyler Huehmer

Treasurer

 Tyler Huehmer's love for the outdoors, hiking, mountain biking, and marine biology initially shaped his path. However, his journey led him into technology, where as a solutions architect, he has developed visually stunning applications that connect users globally while allowing him to express his creativity in new ways.

When he's not working as a solutions architect, Tyler channels his energy into supporting young minds in becoming child authors and illustrators, inspired by his two daughters who have both written and published their own books. His mission is backed by research showing that early readers and writers are better equipped to express their creative ideas and find more joy in their pursuits.

Today, Tyler is dedicated to breaking down barriers that prevent young people from pursuing their writing and illustration dreams. Whether these barriers are financial or social, supporting the Think Ahead Kids Foundation creates opportunities for children to connect with like-minded peers and develop their creative talents, helping them stay true to their passions rather than following conventional paths. 

Dori Durbin 

Author, Illustrator, Member

Dori Durbin is a Christian wife, mom, author, illustrator and a kids’ book coach who grew up most of her life in a rural town in Michigan. She holds a BA in English, a secondary teaching certification, a Master’s degree in Human Services specializing in Schools and Communities, and creatively educated high and middle school English and Science students for ten years. 

After experiencing a life-changing illness, Dori quickly switched gears to follow her dream. She creates kids’ books that provide a fun and safe passageway for kids and parents to dig deeper and better express emotions. She also coaches other authors to create their own kid's book and share their expertise to help families. Dori has written three children’s books in her Little Cat Feelings Series: "Little Cat Needs Space," "Little Cat Feels Left Out," and "Little Cat & Dog's Birthday Bake: A Recipe in Caring” and will always own a furry horde of cats.