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.  

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.

Amanda Le

Secretary

 Amanda Le has been a fan of cartoons and graphic novels their whole life. Amanda earned a BA in Art and Educational Sciences from UC Irvine, and has ran an online business selling their illustrations for over 10 years. Amanda directed and took part in animating an award-winning animated short "Making Friends," and also designed a BIBA Award-winning book cover for poetry anthology "A Burning Lake of Paper Suns." Currently, Amanda hosts online classes and works as a youth arts instructor for local students situated in Temecula, CA
Amanda likes to create art that focuses on environmental messages, representation of minority groups, and the expression of art as healing, and loves to embed poetry in their designs. Amanda works hard to do all they can to inspire young people to keep on creating, and is happy to bring ideas to life through their art! . 

Veronkia Childs

Treasurer

 Veronika Childs is an author, speaker, podcast host, and mother of three. Through her creative projects, she works to inspire others to make an impact by encouraging readers to serve others, follow their passions, and heal it forward. 

After experiencing a significant amount of childhood trauma, Veronika spent most of her life living on the sidelines. In 2019, Veronika had a health scare that became a catalyst for change in her life.

By sharing her story, she brought abuse out of the shadows. Through the characters in her stories, she hopes to be a voice for others like herself so that no one has to feel alone in their pain. 

Cindy Magana

Member

 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 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. 

Dori Durbin 

Author and Illustrator

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.