Meet Our Team
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Susan Ungerer, Founder
Susan was born and raised in the Midwest. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from University of Nebraska and worked on her Master’s as a Reading Specialist from Virginia Technical Extension Division, Northern Virginia. Susan spent 23 years teaching, retiring in 1995 from Fairfax County Public Schools. Married to David Ungerer for over 40 years, together they have 7 children and 11 grandchildren.
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Simran Ratra, Board Chair
Simran was born and raised in Northern Virginia. She believes in a life of service and first got involved with Kids R First after meeting with Susan to learn about her journey in starting a non-profit. Simran and her daughter started volunteering with the organization almost 6 years ago and have enjoyed seeing the impact the organization makes. Education is important and valued by both Simran and her daughter and to be able to help equalize the opportunity to learn and create options for children is very rewarding. Simran wanted to be a part of an organization where her daughter could see the impact first hand and also make service a way of life as she grows older. They are happy to be a part of this organization and help it grow and meet the needs of more children.
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Scott Booher, Treasurer
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer at Navient. Incredible husband to his high school sweetheart and father to two wonderful (now grown) kids. Nice guy and golfer extraordinary.
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Ann Marie Booher, Secretary and Event Designer
Image and description of our beautiful and talented Ann Marie coming soon!
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Walid Karim, Golf Chair and Board Member
When Walid isn’t busy with his beautiful family (wife and five children), he finds time as owner of DC’s hottest nightclub, Livingroom, as well as WK Real Estate Investments. He is a graduate of Northern Virginia’s very own GMU. Nice guy and golfer extraordinare (giving Scott some competition).
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Chuck Lee, Golf Chair and Board Member
Image and description coming soon of our amazing Mr. Lee!
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Kurt Rose, Board Member
Kurt has been volunteering, boarding, and golf chairing for over half of Kids R First existence. He is largely responsible for the success we’ve seen within this time. Kurt owns Aspen Jewelry Designs in Herndon (a must for any of your jewelry needs - purchases or repairs). Kurt is also married to the love of his life, has two phenomenal and impressive kids, and together, they give, give, give. As if being husband, father, jewelry store owner, KRF board/volunteer, Rotary club member, Dolly Parton Imagination Library volunteer and …well, volunteer to just about anything relating to Herndon and Reston…..isn’t enough, Kurt and friend Andy Sigle formed RoSigle Foundation, a foundation giving back to the Reston/Herndon area. Kurt gives of himself, endlessly, tirelessly, and our community is better for it. This man needs to be cloned.
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Matthew Ragone, Board Member
Matt has been a long standing volunteer, always participating and supporting our annual golf tournament. He holds a Ph.D. (yes, Dr. Matt) and serves as Senior Advisor for K12 research at Hanover Research. He is married to the love of his life and together, they have two intelligent, sweet, and impressive (grown) kids (all who volunteer with KRF).
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Toby Marquez, Board Member
Toby Marquez is a photographer, producer-director writer whose assignments have taken him to 32 countries in Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, South America and Europe. He has filmed prominent people including Jane Goodall, Kirk Douglas, Stevie Wonder, Senator John Warner, Kelly McGillis and Lil Wayne. He is a recipient of distinguished national awards for his films on the Chemehuevi Indians in California and the US Navy in West Africa. Toby enlisted in the U.S. Navy, made Chief, commissioned as an Ensign, earned two master’s degrees, became a public affairs officer, rose to the rank of Commander and director of the Navy's weekly worldwide video information program. He now heads STUDIO M Inc., a company specializing in corporate and institutional communications with emphasis in the creative application of visual communications.
National Awards: Hollywood Directors Guild of America Award - "A Gathering in the Desert" (documentary); Cine Golden Eagle Award - "West Africa" (Short Film); Eastman Kodak Award - Excellence in Photography
Education: M.A. Communications, University of Southern California; M.S. Film Education, University of Southern California Graduate; Photojournalism Program, Syracuse University; BA Journalism, Ateneo de Manila.
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Jennifer Christianson, Board Member
Jennifer has been involved with Kids R First for about a decade, recruiting her son and husband to jump in with endless volunteering. Jennifer has an aaaamazing job with IBM, is off-the-charts intelligent, as well as sweet.
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Cora Kardis, Board Member
Cora is an absolute dream. Extraordinary mother to 9 year old son, Cora jumps in to do anything anytime, without hesitation. She is full of energy, leadership, smiles, and a ton of love. She is an absolute blessing to have as a volunteer and board member.
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Kitty Bernard, Board Member
Kitty is a long term Reston resident with over 21 years in real estate. She is blessed with a husband John, 4 adult children, and 4 beautiful grandchildren. Kitty has volunteered with Kids R First for over 8 years in a variety of roles, helping immensely in fundraising efforts. When not working or volunteering, you’ll find Kitty jet-setting with her husband to their next travel adventure!
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Christine Bradley, Board Member
Christine has lived everywhere: New York, Florida, Georgia, Washington, Colorado, South Carolina, Minnesota, Germany, Italy, and Virginia. She earned her BA in Organizational Behavior from Rollins College and her MBA from Louisiana State University. Single mom to an amazing 16 year old young man and budding artist, a 2 year old golden retriever, and a super chill rescue cat.
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Mischa Bowman, Junior Board Chair
Mischa Bowman is a high school student in Northern Virginia. She has been involved with Kids R First for several years as a volunteer and now serves as the Junior Board Chair. Mischa has continuously engaged her school to help with our school supply distribution, using it as an opportunity to lead, serve, and socialize..
“I think it is very important for kids to support other kids. An education can completely change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am honored to be a part of an organization that strives to have impactful change.” - Mischa Bowman
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Jameson Bradley, Junior Board
Jameson Bradley is a freshman at South Lakes High School in Reston/Fairfax County. He has been volunteering with KRF since 2019 and will jump in to help in any way he can. Keep him fed and hydrated and Jameson could go for days! When volunteering, he recruits and involves his friends to join in. We did a short interview with Jameson:
What is your favorite part of helping KRF? “The physical work. I get to work out and help kids.”
How does KRF volunteer work make you feel? “I feel good about myself, the work I do and how I help.”
When you aren’t in school or volunteering, what do you enjoy doing? “I love boxing, drawing, Japanese anime, and scouring antique/thrift stores for hidden gems.”