Co-Founder And Co-Executive Director
Tracey Fontenot, PT
Co-Founder And Co-Executive Director
Raised in Houston, Tracey grew up competing in sports. Her love of an active lifestyle and her passion for children inspired her to become a physical therapist.
After receiving her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M (whoop!) and her PT degree from UT Health Science Center, Tracey joined Methodist Children’s Hospital where she served inpatients and outpatients. She also helped develop specialty care programs for children with special needs as well as a program to combat childhood obesity. Many of Tracey’s patients wanted to increase their activity by playing sports, but opportunities did not exist for all of her pediatric patients. Always up for a challenge, Tracey asked, “Why not?” Her answer was two words—Kinetic Kids.
While she knows children with special needs benefit from our programs, she also loves watching the happiness they bring to family and friends! Her favorite moments are when sees families go from “my child never will” to “look at my child, he is an athlete.”
Tracey LOVES being a part of getting ALL kids onto a sports field. That’s probably because Tracey’s favorite place is on the sidelines cheering for her three teenage children at football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball.
And when she isn’t at a sporting event? Find her volunteering as a board member of Scholars & Athletes Serving Others, serving on NISD PTAs and committees, running for exercise, laughing with friends on Girls’ Night, or cherishing a date with her husband.
tracey@kinetickidstx.org
Co-Founder And Co-Executive Director
Kacey Wernli, PT
Co-Founder And Co-Executive Director
Kacey has been serving children with neurological disorders for over 27 years. In her early years as a physical therapist, her pediatric patients always wanted to dance or do gymnastics in the therapy session. This led Kacey to become determined to figure out how to give all kids a chance to play the sports of their choice. Her tenacity led her to co-found Kinetic Kids. Watching Kinetic Kids thrive on the field, the stage, the court, or wherever their dreams take them, makes every day a joyful one for Kacey. When she isn’t hanging out with Kinetic Kids, you might find Kacey serving on a mission trip with her church, sneaking away to Dallas to spend time with her son, relaxing on her boat on Lake Medina, or on a long walk with Jax and Evie, her Siberian huskies.
kacey@kinetickidstx.org
Chief Administrative Officer Executive Director, Austin
Chris Scott, PT, Cert. MDT
Chief Administrative Officer Executive Director, Austin
Chris grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended the University of Texas at Austin where she received her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. She returned home to New Orleans for her physical therapy degree from Louisiana State University Medical Center. Chris has spent the majority of her career working as a pediatric physical therapist at several children’s hospitals, including Tulane Children’s Hospital. Texas Children’s Hospital, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, and Dell Children’s Medical Center.
Chris was also involved with the start-up of the adaptive sports camp, Camp in Motion. She served as the Director of Rehabilitation Services, Sports Performance, Event Medicine and Community Development at Ascension Seton. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and their yellow lab, Jax. She also loves to play tennis, travel, cook, garden and spend time on the Texas coast.
Affiliate Leadership
Chief Administrative Officer Executive Director, Austin
Chris Scott, PT, Cert. MDT
Chief Administrative Officer Executive Director, Austin
Chris grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended the University of Texas at Austin where she received her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. She returned home to New Orleans for her physical therapy degree from Louisiana State University Medical Center. Chris has spent the majority of her career working as a pediatric physical therapist at several children’s hospitals, including Tulane Children’s Hospital. Texas Children’s Hospital, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, and Dell Children’s Medical Center.
Chris was also involved with the start-up of the adaptive sports camp, Camp in Motion. She served as the Director of Rehabilitation Services, Sports Performance, Event Medicine and Community Development at Ascension Seton. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and their yellow lab, Jax. She also loves to play tennis, travel, cook, garden and spend time on the Texas coast.
Operations Director Fort Worth
Amber Krumholtz, PT
Operations Director Fort Worth
Amber grew up in the Fort Worth area and moved to San Marcos to attend Texas State University where she earned a Bachelor’s in Exercise Sports Science. Following graduation, she relocated to San Antonio to attend the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSCSA) where she earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Amber first learned about Kinetic Kids while serving as a volunteer with the organization during physical therapy school. After graduate school, Amber returned to the Ft. Worth area where she practiced as a pediatric physical therapist in the home health and early childhood intervention settings. Amber always had an interest in expanding Kinetic Kids outside of the San Antonio area. In 2022 Amber was able to provide the first Kinetic Kids expansion programs in Ft. Worth!
Amber is married to her college sweetheart, Kenny, and they have 2 children, Hayden and Keatyn. They recently added a new puppy to the family, Hank. Amber can be found most days outside at her children’s sporting events as they play year-round sports. She enjoys anything outdoors in the sunshine, hiking, fishing, boating and spending time with her family.
Executive Director Houston
Kristen Leach, MSW
Executive Director Houston
Kristen graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Social Work. She worked at a long term care facility before earning her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Houston. Kristen worked for Bo’s Place in Houston, where she was a program coordinator for kids and parents who experienced the death of a loved one.
While raising her three boys, Kristen worked with families looking to adopt. In 2007, Kristen started volunteering with the Challenger League for the West University Little League. For 14 years, she was the director of the baseball league dedicated to kids with special needs. Kristen loves to cheer for her kids in their sporting endeavors and feels that every family should have this opportunity.
In her free time, Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband, their three sons and their dogs. She also enjoys time with friends, golf, tennis, pickleball, reading and traveling.
Executive Director DFW Operations Director Dallas
Kali Whitaker, OT
Executive Director DFW Operations Director Dallas
Kali, originally a San Antonio native, has considered Dallas her home for the past six years. During her summer break from Texas A&M University in 2016, she volunteered with the Kinetic Kids gymnastics program, an experience that ignited her desire to be part of the organization’s magic and future growth.
Kali pursued her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University, where she actively contributed to Best Buddies, advocating for inclusion and developmental support for all. Following graduation, Kali joined Children’s Medical Center in acute care and later explored roles in the home health setting, working with diverse patient populations. After several years as a clinical occupational therapist, she was presented with a new opportunity to kickstart Kinetic Kids Dallas/Ft. Worth.
She holds a special appreciation for the community and camaraderie fostered within Kinetic Kids. The sense of connection among participants and their families is particularly rewarding for her. The joy she experiences when parents witness their children achieving milestones, such as making a basket or leading a dance performance, is a privilege she values deeply as a part of the organization.
In her leisure time, Kali can be found at the lake, enjoying time with her family and friends, walking her Bernese Mountain dog, Knox, and embarking on new adventures, often booking flights to explore different destinations.
National Chapter Team
Development Director
Jada Hallmark
Development Director
Jada joined the Kinetic Kids team in 2017 as a volunteer and in 2021 as our Development Director. A Houston, TX native and an avid athlete, she swam for the Rice University swim team and competed in the 2001 US Olympic Trails in the 400M Individual Medley and the 200M Butterfly!
After earning her BA in Kinesiology in 2001 at Rice University, she collected her Master’s Degree in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University in 2003. She then spent seven years coaching Division 1 swimming before discovering her talent for fundraising and event planning while helping her children’s schools and sports programs raise money.
Jada’s competitive nature coupled with her love of sports and children is the perfect match for Kinetic Kids’ fundraising needs.
She is married to Patrick, head baseball coach at UTSA, and has four children who are each actively involved in their own sports.
jada@kinetickidstx.org
Operations Director
Tiffany Saenz Neal, PT, DPT, C/NDT
Operations Director
Tiffany was planning a future in Pediatric Neurology when she met the dynamic team at Kinetic Kids in 2007. She jumped in as a volunteer and fell in love with how our programs sparked joy in special needs children with neurological deficits while bringing purpose to movement at sports like swim, baseball, and dance.
Inspired, she decided to pursue a different career as a Pediatric Physical Therapist. She hit the ground running with Kinetic Kids, helping develop our Internship program and serving as our first-ever intern in 2008. While attending college, she served as an Administrative Assistant and a swim instructor. After graduation, Tiffany was promoted to Lead Program Director and also served as a Pediatric Physical Therapist in clinical settings. Now, as our Operations Director she plans to help grow our program and fulfill her true passion, just helping kids be kids.
Tiffany’s Kinetic Kids connections do not stop there. She met her husband through his sister, Diana Neal, one of the original Kinetic Kids! They have two boys and a black lab. On a Friday night, you’ll find all of them snuggled on the couch for movie night. But don’t let that fool you. She is obsessed with running and riding her Peloton. And be sure to ask her to play a little air guitar for you…she once played lead guitar in an indie rock band!
tiffany@kinetickidstx.org
Senior Program Director
David Valdez
Senior Program Director
Born and raised in the Midwest, David’s journey serving kids with disabilities began at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where he secured both a minor and his license in Adapted Physical Education. He taught Adapted Physical Education for 10 years in Wisconsin and Iowa before settling in Texas.
David is driven by the challenge of developing successful programs in a team environment and he is passionate about helping Kinetic Kids athletes aim for and reach their goals.
In his spare time, you might find David cheering on the Wisconsin Badgers, hunting in the woods, playing pickleball, or going out for a neighborhood walk with his family.
david@kinetickidstx.org
Adaptive Sports Director
Jenna Malsbury, MS
Adaptive Sports Director
Although she was born and raised in south Florida, Jenna spread her wings to Pennsylvania where she pursued a degree in Public Health. The move paid off when she came across her true passion of adapted sports. Obtaining a master’s degree in Adapted Physical Activity has given Jenna many amazing opportunities such as attending the Rio Paralympic games and ultimately joining the Kinetic Kids to lead the Xtreme division. Jenna feels at home in Texas and is excited to use her love of sports to create opportunities for children with disabilities.
If she isn’t traveling or outdoors on the water, you might find her digging into a bowl of ice cream…she can’t resist it!
jenna@kinetickidstx.org
Adaptive Sports Director
Carrie Valdez, OTR, MOT
Adaptive Sports Director
From Alaska to Alabama and several states in between, this “military brat” now claims Texas as her home.
After Carrie graduated BYU on a gymnastics scholarship, she pursued her masters in Occupational Therapy at Rockhurst University in Missouri. During her clinical rotation at Methodist Children’s Hospital, Carrie met Kinetic Kids co-founders Tracey and Kacey and formed a lasting friendship.
After working at Easter Seals, she had her first son, Noah, who had Down syndrome. Merging friendship, gymnastic, OT and love of kids with special needs, she joined Kinetic Kids to start our first gymnastics program.
Fifteen years and five more children later, she still loves to see kids challenged to reach their full potential and she is currently working to expand our competitive programming.
Carrie enjoys volunteering at church and spending time with family and friends.
carrie@kinetickidstx.org
Program Administrator
Shelby Hunemiller, MS
Program Administrator
Born and raised in small town Iowa, Shelby studied athletic training and exercise science in undergrad where she became passionate about focusing on how children’s overall health and wellness benefit from exercise and sports. She decided to take her passion further by obtaining master’s degree in Adapted Physical Activity from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania to learn more about individuals with disabilities in sports and exercise.
During a 2021 internship with Kinetic Kids, Shelby fell in love with working hands on with children who have different disabilities and special needs. She is the often unseen hero who keeps Kinetic Kids operations running smoothly and providing assistance to staff at programs. Her favorite part of her day is seeing children with disabilities build confidence by participating in sports and fine arts opportunities with their peers.
Shelby also enjoys weightlifting, hiking the beautiful trails of Texas, trying the best foods in San Antonio, and cuddling up with her adopted Chihuahua, Wero.
shelby@kinetickidstx.org
Communications Specialist
Brette Clark
Communications Specialist
Brette is a Doomis native who graduated from A&M with a degree in telecommunications and a minor in business. When she’s not working you can find her watching sports (especially the Aggies!), reading or at a concert.
Brette@kinetickidstx.org
Castroville Site Coordinator
Alli Welch
Castroville Site Coordinator
Alli has called Castroville, Texas home for most of her life. As an avid athlete, she now focuses on running and swimming. Alli is also a spin instructor and owns Run Local which hosts 5K races in the Castroville area that benefit the community. Alli enjoys coaching her daughters’ sports and running half marathons with her husband, Jim.
Alli previously worked in public education for 17 years. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin Alli began her career as a pre-k teacher and continued on at UT to get her master’s degree in special education. She then worked with students with special needs for six years before going back to school to become a school psychologist. After seven years as an LSSP, Alli fell in love with Kinetic Kids and the idea of expanind their programs in Castroville. She ecstatically joined the Kinetic Kids team in 2022.
alli@kinetickidstx.org
New Braunfels Site Coordinator
Tiyona Sanders, CTRS, MSRLS
New Braunfels Site Coordinator
Tiyona joined Kinetic Kids in 2021 as a program director and 2023 as a Site Coordinator for New Braunfels. She comes all the way from Ohio. She attended Miami (OH) for undergrad where she played division 1 softball and received a B.S. in Kinesiology. Her love for sports, and helping others improve their quality of life lead her to obtain a M.S. in Recreation Therapy at Texas State. Texas quickly became home. Tiyona has worked as a recreation therapist with all ages, abilities and disabilities for the last 6 years.
When she’s not working you can catch her listening to podcasts, watching sports, working out or playing with her two young kids.
Hill Country Site Coordinator
Roger Koss
Hill Country Site Coordinator
Born and raised on the Texas Coast, Roger’s journey in adaptive sports began in Colorado while serving as a volunteer archery coach. During that time, he created numerous adaptive devices to support archers with disabilities.
Roger volunteered his way into Kinetic Kids by showing up every Sunday and coaching archery for kids with physical disabilities while finishing his degree at the University of the Incarnate Word. Roger’s dedication to service has led him to assist with many aspects of the Kinetic Kids programs.
In his spare time, you will find Roger on the river with his son somewhere on Hill Country rivers flyfishing, or coaching SA Xtreme Archery at tournaments across the nation.
Grant Writer
Janine Sauer
Grant Writer
Janine joined Kinetic Kids as our Grant Writer in 2019. She has lived in San Antonio for 15 years. Having grown up moving around the country, she is happy to call San Antonio home. Prior to moving to San Antonio Janine served as the Executive Director for the University Chamber of Commerce in Seattle, WA, and the Chief Development Officer of the American Red Cross of Santa Clara Valley (San Jose, CA).
Janine’s passion for Kinetic Kids and children with special needs began in 2004 with the birth of her daughter who was born with a facial occurrence of Amniotic Band Syndrome. Even when not working, Janine has volunteered her time with organizations that serve children with special needs. In 2015, Janine was named the Brighton Center’s “Queen of the Vine,” representing the organization at numerous Fiesta events. She and her husband, Tom, have also volunteered their time to The Wish Connection, helping to provide wishes for children with life-long health challenges or disabilities.
When not working or volunteering, Janine and Tom are traveling to figure skating competitions around Texas and the midwest cheering on their daughter, Kaitlin.
janine@kinetickidstx.org
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Candidate, Capstone Intern
Jade Henderson
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Candidate, Capstone Intern
Living overseas for 10 years – Thailand, Japan, and England, while also playing various sports growing up, Jade has developed a love for traveling and passion for health and fitness. Jade graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas Christian University in 2019 and is now earning her Doctorate’s in Occupational Therapy from UT Health Science Center. She is completing her doctoral capstone project with Kinetic Kids and will graduate in July 2023. In her free time, you can find Jade competing in sand volleyball, exercising at the gym, traveling around the world, or training her goldendoodle Jasper to become a certified therapy dog.