a note from our founder
Shadi Pourkashef
"Bullying hurts everyone. We all know the pain of bullying and exclusion and know how it negatively affects our children, their safety, and our society. Bullying related suicide is the third leading cause of death among children and I for one could not stick my head in the sand and pretend this is not happening. I am certain that we can do better because the status quo is unacceptable! I believe bullying should not be part of growing up and that planting the seeds of kindness at an early age is the key in building a safe, strong and united world. Children need to learn compassion, empathy, non-judgement as well as the importance of tolerance, respect, inclusion and understanding that every individual has something unique to contribute to our collective humanity regardless of our differences. We all have one world and we need to be unified to take care of one another and our beautiful planet.
Together we can put an end to bullying and lead our next generation towards a greater social interconnection along a humanistic path.
Shadi Pourkashef, (Anami)
Founder/Executive Directer of Ability Awareness Project
Goodwill Ambassador of World Kindness for the City of Laguna Beach
Voted "Best Activist", 2018 Laguna Beach
Voted the 2019 Irvine Valley College Outstanding Alumna
Our Team
Steve Dicterow
Mayor Pro Tem of Laguna Beach, 6th time City Councilman, previously elected 4 times as the Mayor of Laguna Beach remains a strong, well-known and trusted leader of our community for the past 17 years. Mr. Dicterow is passionate about Kindness and has been instrumental in signing up the city with World Kindness USA and our efforts to have the City of Laguna Beach be recognized as the first World Kindness City in the US. Mr. Dicterow has always been determined to engage the community in improving the quality of life in the city of Laguna Beach.
William E. Levin
Juris Doctor from University of Miami Law School, Mr. Levin's experience includes legal services in diverse fields ranging from real estate, entertainment, apparel , and financial , to music, art, publishing, and many others. Author of a leading trademark treatise, Trade Dress Protection, Mr. Levin has served on the Advisory Board of United States Patents Quarterly (Bureau of National Affairs), the Editorial Boards of Trademark Reporter(INTA), Trademark World®... has served as a Committee Chair of the American Bar Association, Patent, Trademark and Copyright Section and much more!
Sandra Thornton
Former Executive Director of School Power Educational Foundation, Board of Boys and Girls Club in Laguna Beach, Board of CSP Shelters in Laguna Beach, Co-Manager of Chamber of Commerce Laguna Beach, Board member of Laguna Beach community clinic.
Gail Duncan
Former owner of the Art Hotel in Laguna, A member of Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, The Visitor’s Bureau, The Assistant League and a volunteer with Sawdust Festival, Thanksgiving and Christmas programs in town, passionate to bring positive change to our communit
Sande St. John
Citizen of the year 2019, 74th Assembly District Woman of the Year 2017, Sande has served the Laguna Beach community for over 30 years helping children, seniors, local businesses and the homeless. She's been a Founding Board members of Woman’s Club Resource Center, No Square Theater, Laguna Beach Film Society, M.A.C.Y. Awards, Laguna Beach Relief & Resource. She's been a past president of Patriot's Day Parade, Chairwoman of Annual Pancake Breakfast Memorial Day & Labor Day and so much more.