As Interim Executive Director of KidLinks, Leigh strives to bring musical access to children who need it most. She has spent the majority of her career in the arts nonprofit sector, gaining extensive knowledge and experience in program management, communications, fundraising, and community engagement. She's worked with organizations such as the California Institute of the Arts and San Francisco Children's Art Center to strengthen and expand the reach of arts programming to underserved communities. Leigh also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Youth Development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and does freelance graphic design in her spare time. 

Leigh holds a Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design from Art Institute of California, nonprofit administration graduate coursework from University of San Francisco, and certifications in executive leadership from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. Outside of her role at KidLinks, Leigh enjoys spending time with her family, engaging in art and culture activities, hiking, running, and traveling.

Paul previously served as Executive Director at the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth, where he oversaw fundraising, operations, management, and board relations. His experience in programming includes Asia Society Texas Center, where he created connections through over 900 events in the arts, business, culture, and policy. He also previously held positions at the World Affairs Council of Houston, the U.S. House of Representatives, the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, Indiana University, and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He has been a delegate for the TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program, the Mosaic Taiwan program, and the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy. He earned a master's degree from Indiana University, a bachelor's degree from Miami University, and certificates from Southern Methodist University and The London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kimberly is the former Director of Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations for St. Philip's School and Community Center where she was instrumental in leading the organization's brand development and implementing key communication strategies to increase reach, awareness, and engagement during her 9-year tenure. Kimberly has also worked for 16 years in the advertising agency business with several notable agencies in the DFW area where she started her career. Her expertise includes brand management, traditional and digital account management as well as creative art direction. In addition, Kimberly served two terms as an Executive Board Member at The Episcopal School of Dallas where she led as the Chair of the Episcopal Identity Committee. Her work on the organizations Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategy was instrumental.

As an experienced performing artist, Kimberly has passionately studied and shared West African culture through the art of dance since 1998. She has trained in dance with renowned master teachers and Guinea ambassadors. Kimberly is a former performing member, stage manager and current wardrobe designer of Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble, founded in 2009.

Kimberly earned her B.A. in Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising and a minor in Spanish from the renowned University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism and is a certified 200 RYT. Kimberly and her husband, Jerome have two children, and a beloved goldendoodle.

Prior to the merger between Hugworks and The KidLinks Foundation, Jim was the President and Founder of Hugworks.

Jim brings to KidLinks a wealth of musical experience and has worked with others to create a new discipline, Therapeutic Music Entertainment, while bringing the transforming and healing power of music into children's hospitals and other special care settings. Jim has been perfecting this craft for over forty-one years through song writing and recording, direct services, TME training and community outreach.

Jim holds a BA in Philosophy and a Master's in Theology, and has trained and served as a hospital chaplain.

As the Marketing Communications Specialist, Laura is instrumental in growing and maintaining KidLinks’ social media platforms, email campaigns, and overall communications strategy. Laura has over 10 years of experience in nonprofit management at a variety of organizations, where her duties included volunteer management, marketing efforts, design projects, and community engagement. She excels at building partnerships and bringing creativity into her work. Laura is excited to be part of KidLinks’ dynamic team.

Laura is a graduate of Texas Christian University with a Bachelor’s of Music Education, vocal emphasis, and previously taught music for six years on the elementary level in the Keller Independent School District. Laura and her husband, Joel, stay busy chasing after their toddler son, Alex, and two cats, Benedict Cumbercat and KitKat. In her free time, Laura enjoys attending art shows, traveling, reading, and searching for the perfect cinnamon roll.

Bob lived most of his life in the South and West Suburbs of Chicago and relocated to the Dallas area in 2019. He holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from Purdue and is a former Elijah Watt Sells award winner for passing the Certified Public Accountant exam with scores in the top 5% of the nation. Bob worked for the past 25 years in various supply chain, demand planning, and accounting roles in the telecom industry at Infinera (formerly Coriant/Tellabs).

During the pandemic, Bob broke his leg and ended up in the hospital. It was there, after seeing the tremendous sacrifices the nurses were making, that he realized that he needed to do more with his life and that maybe it was the “big break in life” he had been waiting for. Bob has always been passionate about volunteering and decided then to devote his energies to helping the homeless in Dallas. Bob has since volunteered hundreds of hours working with the homeless at OurCalling and Austin Street Center. Bob recently left the telecom industry and is completing his BS degree in Psychology. In addition to working at KidLinks, Bob also works at Dallas Hope Charities part-time doing grant coordination and case management work with their homeless young adults. Bob’s motto is, “Continuous Improvement is Better Than Postponed Perfection,” meaning there will never be the perfect time to start helping, so you should start now!

Maria received a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University and completed her internship at Richardson ISD. She is a Board Certified Music Therapist and a member of the American Music Therapy Association. She practiced music therapy with adults with disabilities and older adults after receiving her certification. She trained in the KidLinks TME program and has been serving as TME performer at Children’s Health in Dallas and Plano, as well as leading a Therapeutic Music and Movement program at Klyde Warren Park. She is now providing clinical music therapy services through KidLinks. She is very passionate about the KidLinks’ mission and is excited to continue sharing it with the community!

Sara received a Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Music Business/Management from Berklee College of Music in Boston and a Master’s of Arts Equivalency Degree in Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She is a Board-Certified Music Therapist and a Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery, finishing her training with the Atlantis Institute for Consciousness and Music. Sara completed a rigorous Music Therapy internship at Children’s Medical Center – Dallas and has clinical music therapy experience ranging from neonatal to end of life. She collaboratively began the Music Therapy Program at Baylor University Medical Center – Dallas, where she worked with both inpatient and outpatient populations. Sara provides music therapy services as the J.W. Brown Music Therapist-in-Residence at SMU and serves as KidLinks' Music Therapy Content Coordinator – developing new and free resources for both families and music therapy professionals.

Debbie received her B. S. and M. A. degrees in Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University (TWU). Debbie has served a variety of faculty positions at TWU throughout the years-most recently as Clinical Training Coordinator. She is a Board Certified Music Therapist and a member of The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Since 1987, she has enjoyed a private practice at her home studio, and for 25+ years, Debbie provided contract music therapy services to area school districts. Debbie has facilitated in-services and workshops throughout the U.S. She has continued the tradition of her music therapy predecessors by cultivating new job opportunities for music therapists, establishing new music therapy programs, and expanding established programs in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area.

Debbie has authored or co-authored several music therapy resources. She was the recipient of the Harmony Award in the area of Clinical Practice from the Southwestern Region of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) in 2008, given to recognize excellence in an area of music therapy service.

Tina received her BS degree from West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M). She is Board Certified and a member of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).  Tina completed her internship at Denton State School and remained there for 2 years, working as an aide in the education department.  She took her first music therapy position at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, working as an activity therapist in their Department of Psychiatry.  She was there for 12 years before working contract in several school districts (Mansfield, Grapevine-Colleyville and Keller) for the next 4 years.  Keller ISD then opened a full-time music therapy position and Tina accepted that job, going on to work in Keller ISD for 26 years. 

Gina received a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She is Board-Certified and a member of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Gina also has completed a comprehensive Child Life Internship at Cook Children’s Medical Center as well as an extensive Music Therapy Internship with the Arlington, Texas Independent School District. She has worked for several school districts, including Crowley ISD, Cedar Hill ISD, and Northwest ISD. Gina is currently employed full-time as a Board-Certified Music Therapist by Arlington ISD, and has worked with KidLinks for 15 years promoting their mission and serving kids. She is a talented singer/songwriter and an accomplished performer, who has enjoyed 20-plus years playing and singing. You can find her tunes on all streaming platforms.

Cora earned her Bachelor of Music in Applied Flute from Baylor University and continued her education at the University of Kansas, earning a Masters of Music Education/Music Therapy Endorsement and completed her Music Therapy Internship at Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hospital in Gardner, Kansas. Cora is a Board Certified Music Therapist, a long-time member of the American Music Therapy Association, and has been practicing music therapy for 20 years. In the spring of 2024, Cora completed her Graduate Certificate in the Essentials of Public Health through the University of Kansas. Cora also has Music Together Certifications for Music Together Within Therapy and Music Together in Schools.

Cora especially enjoys working with young children and their families/caregivers to use music as a means to bond and communicate.  In addition to providing clinical music therapy services through KidLinks, Cora trained in the KidLinks TME program and was a volunteer TME performer at Cook Children’s for several years.

Tonya Lincoln received her BA in Music from Henderson State University in Arkansas, her MA in Music Therapy from Texas Woman's University, and Level 1 Guided Imagery and Music from the Atlantis Center for Consciousness and Music. After completing her internship at the Denton State Supported Living Center and passing the certification exam, she provided music therapy services for several years in clinics, schools, senior care facilities, and private homes. In 2012, after earning Texas teaching certifications for EC-6 General and EC-12 Music, she taught in a charter school for 4 years. While she enjoyed this, she recognized her passion is music therapy and returned in 2017. When not working or spending time with family, she also enjoys performing with her children's act, The Musical Storytime Puppet Show. She's very excited to be a part of the KidLinks music therapy team.

Born and raised in Southeast Dallas, Gracie spent an entire childhood exploring musical creativity and living in a community-forward environment that led to finding a passion in performing at a very young age. She started singing before she could crawl which can be attributed to her parents who are both trained classical singers, and Barney the dinosaur who is not classically trained as far as she knows but whose influence knows no bounds. As an adult, Gracie is a singer/songwriter by trade, and plays a multitude of instruments. She’s been playing music in the DFW metroplex throughout her adult years, with one of her most fondest projects was performing in a Disney tribute band based out of Denton. 

Joshua Ingram is a working singer/songwriter who enjoys the opportunity to bring music to those who might not otherwise get to enjoy it. Having known of and been around Kidlinks for many years Joshua is familiar with the mission and excited to be a part of it. From oncology camps to group sessions in hospitals to individual room visits, Ingram takes care to provide a unique and customized experience for each listener.

Rick is a retired pastor with over 30 years' experience singing for children and senior adults in various locations and venues throughout Texas.  He volunteered with KidLinks as a Therapeutic Music Entertainer up until 2019 and is now rejoining the team, in part to help develop a new program to provide music to Special Education students in local elementary and middle schools. Rick is excited to once again be able to support the KidLinks mission of linking children and their families to healing, hope and happiness through music. In addition to singing, Rick enjoys fishing, volunteering, and spending quality time with his family, especially his two awesome grandchildren.

Andy is an experienced, well-versed musician in jazz, classical, rock, pop, r&b, as well as other styles of music. He has a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies and a Masters in Jazz Arranging/Composition from the University of North Texas. He has also been a music educator since 1993 and been performing for over 3 decades. He was a Professor of guitar/voice/bass and Director and Arranger for the SFA State University's contemporary ensembles. He currently is working towards a second Master's at TWU in music therapy.

Noel is the "Paul" of the legendary Peter, Paul & Mary. He has brought his own considerable talent and 45+ years of experience to the team. Noel helps to ensure that our children's recordings maintain the highest level of artistic integrity.

Larry is a Lead Volunteer for our Therapeutic Music Entertainment efforts. He is a special advisor to KidLinks and a valuable contributor to the organization. He has been deeply involved in the development of a formal guide to TME.

In addition, Larry authored the book Music on a Mission, which details the history and work of KidLinks. Music on a Mission inspires as it entertains, showing how KidLinks emerged out of unexpected origins and overcame countless challenges to provide the power of music for children in need. It is a story of how the passionate pursuit of a clearly defined purpose has the power to make a life-changing difference in the lives KidLinks has serve for 40 years and counting. Larry's book, published in 2022, is available to purchase HERE. The majority of the proceeds from sales of "Music on a Mission" will be used to support KidLinks' programs.

KidLinks' resources are vetted by our Volunteer Review Team and Staff to ensure they are helpful and developmentally appropriate for children. Our amazing Review Team includes:

Chris Brown
MS, CCLS
Director - Therapeutic Recreation, Child Life & Creative Arts Therapies (Retired)
NYU Langone Health, New York, NY

Sara Chigani
MA, MT-BC
J.W. Brown Music Therapist-in-Residence at SMU

Gina G. Glidewell
MT-BC
KidLinks Music Therapy Services Coordinator
Arlington Independent School District

Carol Sue Marshall
BA, MEd, PhD
Professor Emeritus, The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas

Julie A. Pedigo
BS, CCLS
Manager - Child Life & Family Centered Services
Blank Children’s Hospital, Des Moines, IA

Richard Weir
CCLS
Director - Child Life & Expressive Therapies and Ronald McDonald House (Retired)
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX

Stuart Sides was elected President & Chair of KidLinks Board of Directors in 2024 after serving as a Director for three years. Stuart is a native of Dallas and a graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Psychology. He currently serves as EVP of Strategic Solutions for BGSF Workforce Solutions and has held numerous staffing industry leadership positions over his 20+ year career. Additionally, he served for eleven years on Interstate Batteries’ senior leadership team in various sales and marketing roles. As a musician, he and his wife originally met in acapella choir in high school, and he’s since developed his passion, skills, and appreciation for music playing guitar and singing in his church’s contemporary worship band and in an 80’s cover band with close friends (who perform regularly today). Stuart resides in Lake Highlands with his wife of over thirty years, Lisa. Their daughters, Whitney and Georgia, are both Texas A&M graduates and live in Dallas and Austin. His biggest passions are family, music, community, travel, servant leadership, and growing people, teams, and business.

Lindsey is an attorney at Cobb Martinez Woodward PLLC specializing in professional liability defense. Lindsey grew up in Bedford, Texas and graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.A. in Communications. Lindsey attended SMU Dedman School of Law and graduated in 2009. She focuses her law practice on the representation of lawyers, CPAs, and other professionals in litigation and administrative proceedings. Lindsey lives in East Dallas with her husband and two daughters.

Daryl currently serves as Relationship Manager of Commercial Banking at UMB Bank and has over 11 years of corporate banking experience. He was previously Vice President in the Financial Institutions division at Texas Capital Bank. Prior to joining the Financial Institutions team, Daryl served at Texas Capital Bank and Capital One’s Energy departments with experience in relationship management, origination, underwriting, restructuring, and special assets.

Daryl graduated with a BBA in Finance and MBA with honors from Texas Christian University. He married his best friend and fellow Horned Frog, Andrea, in 2016 and resides in Fort Worth. In 2022, Daryl and Andrea welcomed their first child, Grayson, into the world. Daryl enjoys his being involved in his church, watching sports, or playing golf.

Jesse Betts is a private equity, mergers, and acquisitions, and capital markets partner in the Dallas office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. He has practiced law for 15 years, starting his career at Thompson & Knight LLP. Mr. Betts grew up in Salina, Kansas, graduated from Kansas State University in December 2000 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law in May 2006. In his legal practice, Mr. Betts represents clients in a wide range of corporate and securities matters.

Wes Butler grew up in nearby Arlington and Mansfield, Texas. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2001 with a degree in Government/Foreign Affairs. He then attended law school at the SMU Dedman School of Law and graduated in 2004. Wes is currently a partner of the international law firm Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton where he focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, employment litigation and counseling, and ERISA and bad faith litigation.

Presently serving as Senior Vice President at Liberty Capital Bank, David has over 30 years of prior experience in commercial and corporate banking, including energy banking. Previously, David was head of the North Texas energy finance group at Comerica Bank for five years. Prior to that, David was head of corporate underwriting at Credit Agricole for 14 years, first as a regional head, then as head for North America and Latin America. David started in banking in 1986 at Bank of America (successor to InterFirst Bank), working in restructuring and then in energy finance until his departure for Credit Agricole in 1998. David has experience in credit risk, origination, underwriting and restructuring, across many industries.

David graduated from SMU in 1986 with a BBA in Finance (summa cum laude) and a Minor in Music Performance. He is married to wife Dana for 29 years and has two grown children, Nathan (26) and Sara (24). As the father of a son with intellectual disabilities, David has great passion for programs aimed at the special needs community. David’s other interests include music, golf, food and wine and travel.

Adam first joined the KidLinks (then Hugworks) Board of Directors in 2011. From 2020 to 2023, he served as the President and Chair of the KidLinks Board of Directors, before stepping back into a Director role in 2024. Adam has served in both the public and private sector with early career experiences in technical and engineering departments of a major telecommunications company. Adam joined EnRisk as an Energy Risk Specialist in early 2003 focused on sales and servicing of oil & gas operators and non-operators with a primary emphasis on the coordination of insurance and indemnity obligations in the overall risk management process.

Effective January 2008, Adam became a principal and Executive Vice President of EnRisk; in 2013, he sold the company to Alliant Insurance Services. Today, Adam continues to serve his clients, markets and the energy industry as a faithful employee of Alliant. Adam holds a B.S. in Business Administration.

Alex Peters, RN is a mom raising two young boys. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. of Nursing in 2011. Alex started her career in nursing on the Intermediate Care Unit at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, TX. In her two years there, she cared for children with a wide range of chronic diseases including heart abnormalities, kidney failure, chronic lung problems, and traumatic injuries. After moving back to Dallas, Alex worked on the Center for Pulmonology Inpatient Unit at Children’s Health.. During her five year tenure, Alex served as a registered nurse and a charge nurse to children with chronic pulmonary diseases such as cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, osteogenesis imperfecta, and tracheostomy/ventilator dependent patients.

Alex was first introduced to KidLinks when she and her husband, Scott Peters, were invited to Symphony of Chefs through Scott’s business connections. She was moved by the vision and mission of KidsLinks and their desire to serve children through music. She has seen first hand the power music can have in medically fragile children’s lives during her time working in pediatric hospitals.

Dee C. Ray, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S is Regents Professor and Elaine Millikan Mathes Professor in Early Childhood Education in the Counseling Program and Co-Director of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. Dr. Ray has published over 150 articles, chapters, and books in the field of play therapy, specializing in research specifically examining the process and effects of Child Centered Play Therapy. Dr. Ray is author of A Therapist’s Guide to Development: The Extraordinarily Normal Years, Advanced Play Therapy: Essential Conditions, Knowledge, and Skills for Child Practice, co-author of Multicultural Play Therapy, Group Play Therapy, and Child Centered Play Therapy Research. Most recently, Dr. Ray published her book on education, Playful Education: Using Play Therapy Strategies to Elevate Your Classroom which focuses on the significance of teacher-child relationships in the language of play.


Dr. Ray is a founding board member and past president of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, as well as past board chair of the Association for Play Therapy. She is founding editor of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Counseling, American Counseling Association Fellow, and recipient of the American Counseling Association Don Dinkmeyer Social Interest Award, Association for Humanistic Counseling Educator Award, Association for Play Therapy Outstanding Research Award, Top 25 Women Professors in Texas Award, and many others.


Dr. Ray supervises counseling services to community clients at her university clinic and leads a school outreach program providing play therapy to hundreds of children each year. Dr. Ray also co-created and oversees the international certification program for Child-Centered Play Therapy and Child-Parent Relationship Therapy. Dr. Ray additionally operates the counseling practice, EmpathyWell, in Highland Village, TX where she facilitates play therapy, training, and supervision.

Chase Sanders joined the KidLinks Board of Directors in 2021. He grew up and Dallas and currently has a consulting business providing, Sales, Marketing, and Partnership Development services for companies in the cleantech space. Through his 15 year career, he has focused on working with national commercial customers to provide solutions that reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science and Economics from Vanderbilt University. He enjoys anything he can do outside, especially golf. He and his wife live in Dallas with their son and daughter and all enjoy the KidLinks Spotify Playlist!

Melanie Wells is an entrepreneur with a vision for a better future. A Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Melanie is the founder and CEO of Lifeologie Counseling, a multi-disciplinary, collaborative mental health and wellness practice which has treated tens of thousands of individuals, couples and families in the DFW area. In 2015, Melanie franchised Lifeologie, which now has multiple locations around the country. Also in 2015, she founded The LISPY School for Psychotherapeutic yoga, an educational platform for neuroscience-based yoga teacher training. Melanie is also the founder and treasurer of Dallas Animal Welfare Group, a 501(c )3 organization dedicated to the health and wellness of Dallas pets and their people.

An accomplished fiddle player, Melanie graduated from Southern Methodist University with a BA in English and minor in violin performance. She also holds an MA in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, and an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Our Lady of the Lake University. She has taught as a member of the adjunct faculty in the graduate programs of both DTS and OLLU. Melanie is also the author of the best-selling Dylan Foster psychological thrillers (Random House).

Melanie and her husband have fostered dozens of Dallas shelter dogs and are the proud parents of George (6), a mutt with a neurotic streak, and Taco (5), a Chihuahua mix with Napoleon syndrome.

Baer Ackerman, MD is an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatrist in Plano, TX. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Brown University (Class of 1975) with an AB in Religious Studies and graduated from Baylor College of Medicine (Cum Laude) in 1979. After a Rotating Internship at Baylor Affiliated Hospitals, he completed his Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency and Fellowship at The Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut, during which time he was selected as one of 10 Falk Fellows to interns nationally at the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Ackerman is also a Graduate Adult Analyst from the Dallas Psychoanalytic Institute and is currently pursuing studies in Child Psychoanalysis.

In addition to his outpatient work, Dr. Ackerman is a child psychiatric consultant at LifePath Systems of Collin County, various private schools, Terrell State Hospital, and in the past, for 28 plus years, at both Jewish Family Service of Dallas and the Plano Independent School District. Dr. Ackerman also has taught or helped teach courses regularly in the Dallas Psychoanalytic Center.

Dr. Ackerman was voted Outstanding Teacher of the Year (1996-97) by the Third Year Psychiatry Residents at Southwestern Medical School, he has been listed, since the list was first started, in D-Magazine (1992, 1996, 2002, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, & 2021) as one of the Best Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists in Dallas or Collin County. In addition, he was listed as a Super Doctor in Texas Monthly 2016, 2017, & 2018.

PS -- as a bass guitar player, he once got to jam with ZZ Top.

After witnessing firsthand the power of Hugwork’s music to uplift and inspire, J.W. Brown made personal contributions to this cause for many years. In 2001, he and 4 business colleagues established The KidLinks Foundation with Hugworks as the major beneficiary. He served as Board Chair of the newly formed KidLinks up until 2019.

Mr. Brown has been active since 2005 in the formation and management of energy related partnerships and corporations as Chairman of Par Investments, LLC., and since 1991, he has been the General Partner of Premier Capital, Ltd. Prior to 1991, Mr. Brown participated directly in the oil and gas business as well as a variety of energy investment banking activities, and practiced law from 1973 until 1981. He holds a BA, Juris Doctor and Masters of Law Degree.