Team

Who runs Rainbow Chefs Academy?

Rainbow Chefs Academy
Rainbow Chefs Academy

Svetlana Elgart

The DNA of Rainbow Chefs

It all started in her own kitchen.

Born in Ukraine and raised on home-cooked meals, Lana brought this sensibility with her to America while raising her own children.

Seeing a major problem in the health and nutrition of our nation’s youth, she wanted to do something about it.

In 2011, she started “Les Petit Chefs”. Using the principle of “eat the rainbow”, Lana soon after changed the name…
Rainbow Chefs was born.

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Lana took her recipes and approach to health & wellness and created curriculums aimed at the elementary level.

In 2012, San Mateo District contacted Lana. Enrichment programs were created, along with Instructor Training.

In this same year, she began working with the Highlands Recreation Center, and at the request of parents, came summer camps and chefs parties.

Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) became involved as Rainbow Chefs expanded.

By 2019, Rainbow Chefs had reached over 30,000 children and 1800 schools.

Curriculums extended into Middle School and High School, along with new offerings such as Chef Boxes, created for teachers.

Dr. Ed Bauman, founder of Bauman Wellness joined the team in 2020, bringing his rich experience in holistic health and nutrition.

With a vision of changing K-12 Education through CORE, STEAM, CASEL & NGSS alignment, Rainbow Chefs had now grown to…

Rainbow Chefs Academy

One woman with a kitchen, a mission, and a vision for our future.

DAVID L. BORTOLIN
Rainbow Chefs Academy

DAVID L. BORTOLIN

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

David Bortolin, a seasoned veteran with over two decades of experience in enterprise software and SaaS, currently serves as COO at Rainbow Chefs Academy.

At Rainbow Chefs, Bortolin manages sales, customer service, delivery operations, marketing, finance, and business development.

In six short months, he grew revenue from $0 to $1.5 million by changing the company’s sales model from a field sales focus to an inside sales focus, and expanding the customer base throughout California.

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His journey is marked by a trail of remarkable achievements with established players and start-ups, where he has consistently driven growth and delivered tangible results.

During his tenure as Vice President of Worldwide Sales at AppCentral, Bortolin orchestrated an unparalleled 400% increase in revenue, translating into an astonishing multi-million dollar surge.

This remarkable growth was driven by his strategic management of partnerships with industry giants like Cognizant and NTT Data, resulting in multi-million dollar deals with Honeywell, Pepsi, Amgen, Mitsubishi, and NTT Data.

Prior to his role at AppCentral, Bortolin played pivotal roles at Exalead and Remedy Interactive, where his strategic prowess and sales acumen led to the securing of multi-million dollar contracts with Fortune 500 companies.

His strategic initiatives resulted in a substantial increase in sales revenue, amounting to tens of millions of dollars.

Bortolin’s impact extended beyond direct sales roles to consultancy and executive positions at Milestone Group, Covigo, and Taviz Technology.

Here, he consistently surpassed sales targets and orchestrated high-value deals, contributing millions of dollars to the companies’ bottom lines.

Notably, at Brightinfo, he spearheaded a meteoric rise in sales from zero to an impressive $5 million in just four months, showcasing his ability to drive rapid and substantial growth.

Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College, David Bortolin continues to epitomize excellence and innovation in the technology sector.

His track record of delivering exceptional results, backed by specific multi-million dollar achievements, underscores his strategic foresight, leadership prowess, and unwavering commitment to success.

Lawrence August
Rainbow Chefs Academy

Lawrence August

Advisory Board Member & Director of Business Development

Lawrence has worked in the Health and Nutrition industry for over two decades.

He is a Certified Youth Nutrition Specialist through AFPA (American Fitness Professionals & Associates), bringing his unique approach to children’s health to help further the efforts of Rainbow Chefs Academy.

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Amassing more than 8,500 consultations, Lawrence had the distinction of being the sole Nutrition Counselor at The Center for Integrative Medicine in Tarzana, California, where he also Co-Managed the practice’s Natural Pharmacy.

The Center is run by Dr. Michael Hirt, MD and is currently the busiest private solo medical practice in Los Angeles County.

Along with private nutrition consultations through his company Kids Get Healthy, Lawrence sits on the Board of Directors for Accept The Challenge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating childhood obesity and preventing the major dietary and lifestyle related diseases currently plaguing our country.

We are thrilled to have Lawrence as a member of our team!

Gabby Grinberg
Rainbow Chefs Academy

Gabby Grinberg

Legal / Investment

Gabby is a strategic executive and general counsel with experience developing and scaling business operations.

She has spent almost a decade advising companies on business strategy and legal matters with a strong focus on finance structuring, international growth, investor relations, employee retention and partnership opportunities.

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To date she has helped her clients raise over a billion dollars from investors, structured complex credit solutions and established dynamic partnerships enabling achievement of growth targets.
Dr. David Reed
Rainbow Chefs Academy

Dr. David Reed

Sr. Education Specialist

Dr. David Reed earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education from Southern Illinois University, a Master of Education from Arizona State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, also from ASU.

Dr. Reed holds a teaching certificate in Arizona with an area of concentration in Career Technical Education with endorsements in Business and Marketing, Cooperative Education, and Structured English Immersion.

He also holds a Principal Certificate in Arizona. For the past 25 years, Dr. Reed has specialized in the development of nontraditional education models for the traditional district, public charter, and private secondary schools.

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He has also been instrumental in the development of blended and virtual education models for traditional district, charter, and private secondary schools.

Since 2007, Dr. Reed has presented on nontraditional education programs and the benefits and implementation of blended and online learning programs at numerous state and national level conferences.

From 2014 to 2021, Dr. Reed served as an Educational Administrator for Educational Management Organization operating a Drop-out Recovery Program and a private international virtual high school in Arizona.

He is currently serving as a Senior K-12 Educational Consultant on accountability, accreditation, school improvement, and blended and virtual public and private secondary programs. Dr. Reed has also been a member of or has chaired accreditation review teams for Cognia, Middle States Regional, and Accreditation International.

GINA THACKREY
Rainbow Chefs Academy

GINA THACKREY

CURRICULUM SPECIALIST K-12

Gina Thackrey is an expert in program design, content development, curriculum/learning experience, user experience, marketing, and strategic planning.

She has built and grown programs and products for EdTech Startups, educational technology companies, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, non-profit organizations, schools, districts, county and state departments of education.

 

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Her primary goal is to create experiences that empower independent, intrinsically-motivated, and self-directed learners with the development of lifelong, future-proof skills that ensure their success.

In her free time, she enjoys playing board games with family, reading, and going for walks along the beach.

Kelly Chambers
Rainbow Chefs Academy

Kelly Chambers

CURRICULUM SPECIALIST K-12

Kelly Chambers has earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Park University in Parkville, MO and a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University in AZ.

Kelly holds a teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education – Birth to grade 3 and K-12 Cross Categorical Special Education.

Kelly has taught in a local school district in both traditional classroom and online formats supporting students of all needs.

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She has taught in multiple capacities in special education Kindergarten – 6th grade, Traditional Kindergarten, Online Kindergarten and Preschool.

Kelly came to teaching to help support her son’s educational development while understanding his medical, learning and developmental needs, and has continued to serve as an advocate for students with special needs.

Kelly brings an amazing skillset to the Rainbow Chefs Academy team!

VIANA ELGART - OPERATIONS
Rainbow Chefs Academy

VIANA ELGART

OPERATIONS

Viana Elgart joined Rainbow Chefs in early 2020 as a Chef Instructor while pursuing her educational goals.

Rainbow Chefs provided an opportunity for Viana to combine her best skills, such as working with children, applying her leadership skills, and her passion for enriching the lives of others.

Viana adopted the company’s goal of promoting nutrition and education, which aligns with her personal values and excites her to share her knowledge with others.

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Through previous experience in Tutoring, Early Childhood Development, and her current role as a Head Instructor, Viana learned the importance of patience and compassion when working with others.

Viana’s ultimate goal is to continue her education at the highest level possible while creating a fun, safe, and exciting learning environment for both children and adults to discover the benefits of eating a diverse range of colorful and healthy foods, also known as “eating the rainbow.”

ROBERT H. LUSTIG  MD, MSL
Rainbow Chefs Academy

ROBERT H. LUSTIG MD, MSL

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Robert H. Lustig, M.D., M.S.L. is Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology, and Member of the Institute for Health Policy Studies at UCSF.

Dr. Lustig is a neuroendocrinologist, with expertise in metabolism, obesity, and nutrition.

He is one of the leaders of the current “anti-sugar” movement that is changing the food industry. He has dedicated his retirement from clinical medicine to help to fix the food supply any way he can, to reduce human suffering and to salvage the environment.

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Dr. Lustig graduated from MIT in 1976, and received his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College in 1980. He also received his Masters of Studies in Law (MSL) degree at University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 2013. 

He is the author of the popular books Fat Chance (2012), The Hacking of the American Mind (2017), and Metabolical: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine (2021). 

He is the Chief Science Officer of the non-profit Eat REAL, he is on the Advisory Boards of the UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food and Health, the Center for Humane Technology, Simplex Health, Levels Health, and ReadOut Health, and he is the Chief Medical Officer of BioLumen Technologies, Foogal, Perfact, and Kalin Health.

Dr. Andreas Bluthner
Rainbow Chefs Academy

DR. ANDREAS BLÜTHNER

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Andreas served as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Director of Nutrition, leading the development and execution of a new strategy, which focused on innovation, multi-sectoral partnerships, maternal, infant and child nutrition, school feeding, and affordable, nutritious food production.

Andreas also led the cross-foundation collaboration on nutrition, ensuring that all strategies are coordinated and aligned for maximum impact.

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Prior to the foundation, Andreas worked as director for Strategic Partnerships for BASF SE Nutrition & Health, a leading manufacturer of nutrients and health ingredients, and has been an active partner of the global nutrition & health community for two decades.

Prior to BASF, Andreas spent time working with the UN, for the World Food Program, the German government, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and spoke as keynote speaker on a range of international events, including the UN General Assembly, the WEF, and the African Union.

As of February 2023, Andreas serves as Founding Director for his strategy and impact advisory firm Dr. Bluethner & Partner, operating out of Seattle and Frankfurt and focused on health, nutrition, and agriculture.

Andreas earned a doctorate in international economics and human rights from the University of Mannheim, a business administration apprentice degree from Robert Bosch, Stuttgart, and a public health bachelor’s degree from City College of New York.

He served as mentor for social entrepreneurs and impact start-ups worldwide as an Ashoka Globalizer, as founding board member for WFP Innovation Accelerator, board advisor to SPRK (Berlin), a start-up reducing food waste with AI/ML-enabled partnerships, and as founding board member of Listo, a social business start-up from Guatemala, now serving nutritious food to the undernourished at scale.

Andreas extensively published and contributed to academia as a permanent lecturer on food and nutrition security, sustainability, trade, global governance and human rights at the University of Mannheim and European Business School in Wiesbaden for more than a decade and guest speaker at various other universities.

He volunteered for the United Nations (UNV), as polling officer for EU elections, and as seasonal USSA-certified children’s race ski coach at Crystal Mountain Alpine Club in Washington State, USA.

Tom Davis
Rainbow Chefs Academy

Tom Davis

Advisory Board Member

Thomas Aurelio Davis is a former middle and high school bilingual science teacher, coach, administrator, grant writer, businessman and life-long learner. He is also the Founder of Net4EdAccess, an education consulting firm based in San Diego.

Tom’s passions center around mentoring and coaching, equal opportunity for all underrepresented communities, STEAM, English Learners; technology for teaching and learning; students with special needs and students at-risk of not completing their education.

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Tom currently serves as Director of Business Development at the nonprofit, Center for Educational Innovation in New York, and has served in the same capacity for both the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA) and the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS).

He is a member of the Classroom of the Future Foundation at the San Diego County Office of Education.

Tom also serves as a board member of Computers 2 Kids San Diego (C2KSD), a San Diego charitable nonprofit, working to bridge the digital divide with low-income families by providing computers to the home and access to the internet.

He is an advisory board member for Project Tomorrow, a national nonprofit with a vision to ensure that today’s students are well prepared to be tomorrow’s innovators, leaders and engaged citizens of the world.

Tom is an avid basketball player and represented Mexico on the Over 64 National Basketball Team which finished sixth in the FIMBA World Basketball Championships in Helsinki in 2019.

DR. ED BAUMAN  - ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Rainbow Chefs Academy

DR. ED BAUMAN

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Bauman has been at the forefront of the holistic health and nutrition renaissance for the past 50 years.  He holds a MEd from the University. of Massachusetts, a MS in Nutrition from Heartwood College, and a PhD in Community Health Promotion from the University of New Mexico.

After studying traditional health and nutrition systems for more than 30 years, Dr. Bauman created the Eating for Health approach, which forms the basis of his professional and community nutrition programs and consulting practice.  He is the founder of Bauman College: Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts. Dr Bauman is the founder of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals.

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Dr Bauman has served as the president for the Sonoma West Medical Foundation, wherein he brought an Integrative Health Institute to his nearby rural hospital which offered in patient education, a whole foods hospital café, research and outpatient referrals to integrative health and wellness providers.

Dr. Bauman’s current passion is Bauman Wellness.com, a non-profit institute that nourishes cultures of wellness through healing foods, arts, and community learning.  Bauman Wellness is a diverse and inclusive community of professional, family and individual members.  

Dr Bauman is the co-author of many renowned books, including the Holistic Health Handbook, Holistic Health Lifebook, Foundations of Nutrition Textbook, Therapeutic Nutrition Textbook, Flavors of Health Cookbook, Whole Food Guide for Breast Cancer Survivors, Spice for Life: Self-Healing Recipes, Remedies and Research, Affordable Nutrition, Kidz Culinary Academy Cookbook, Nutrition Essentials for Everyone and Ways to Be Well: Integrative Wellness Handbook.

Dr Bauman is a tireless champion for wellness, which he sees as an innate human right, that has been damaged by our degraded food system, and culture of greed  dis-ease and distraction. Dr Bauman motivates, inspires, and leads by example on how we can reclaim our individual, and social wellbeing with five integrative wellness practices: eating, moving, reflecting, relating and serving together.

Dr Gregory Spencer
Rainbow Chefs Academy

Dr Gregory Spencer

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Gregory Spencer is the eldest of 5 siblings and is a country boy from Mississippi. When he was a kid, his family moved to Oakland, CA, where Spencer attended Oakland Unified Schools. Due to daily trauma/drama in Greg’s home, Spencer had challenges in school, as a child.

By the age of 9, Greg was a gang leader.

By the age of 12, Spencer was recruited by Angela Davis, Huey Newton, and Bobby Seale and was inducted into The Black Panthers.

Later, a teacher, community leader, and police officer conspired to save Greg’s life because they saw something in him that he couldn’t see in himself; a viable future.

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Greg would not know about this conspiracy until many, many years later.

With some help, Greg was able to go to college, graduated, and became a teacher in Los Angeles Unified. He went on to serve as a Principal, Elected City Commissioner, School Board President, and finished his career as a Superintendent.

For over 25 years, Dr. Spencer has dedicated his life to eliminating illiteracy, supporting health and wellness in families, impacting teachers, and equipping communities.

Dr. Spencer is a lifetime member of the NFL Alumni Association because of his volunteer work with former and current athletes and their families in the area of Trauma Counseling, Health, Nutrition, and Education.

Dr. Spencer serves as a volunteer Advisory Board Member with Rainbow Chefs Academy due to his commitment to support childhood nutrition and help eliminate obesity, diabetes, and learning issues for children, especially for black and brown children that typically don’t have access to sustainable healthy food choices.

Dr. Spencer has written 4 books that include an Amazon Best Seller. His recent book was an International Best-Seller and is now in the U.S. Library of Congress.

Dr. Greg seeks to partner with “git-it-done” innovative educators, advocates, and community leaders that are mission and data driven to serve kids, just like him.

KRISTA LONG - EVENTS COORDINATOR & PLANNER
Rainbow Chefs Academy

KRISTA LONG

EVENTS COORDINATOR & PLANNER

Krista is a lover of events. As a Certified Event Planner since 2013, completing multiple required renewal programs and becoming a proud Alumni from Correlations LLC Professional Event Training, she has the professional development to plan any event from start to finish. 

With an extensive background in her professional career – Event Planning, Operations and Management – she has tons of experience.

Her background consists of corporate executive planning, real estate, account management and public relations. 

She can effectively streamline logistics, and has over 10 years of experience managing events, decorating, budgeting, catering, entertainment, and room design. 

Companies, associations, and individuals hire her to create unique experiences for their celebrations and she loves to deliver top quality service to each and every one of her clients.