Kickstart Kids Names Gillian Lindenberg Chief Development Officer
HOUSTON, TEXAS — Kickstart Kids announced today the appointment of Gillian Lindenberg as its new Chief Development Officer. Lindenberg brings more than 15 years of nonprofit fundraising and leadership experience to the role and will guide the organization’s philanthropic strategy as it works to expand the reach of the character-development program Mr. and Mrs. Norris built.
Lindenberg joins Kickstart Kids following 14 years at BBYO, the world’s largest Jewish youth movement, where she held a series of leadership roles spanning membership growth, program strategy, and donor engagement. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of Philanthropic Engagement, overseeing donor strategy and advancement across BBYO’s local and international operations.
“I could not be more excited to be a part of the Kickstart Kids community,” said Lindenberg. “The work that KSK is doing is proven to change the lives of thousands of students, and I’m looking forward to bringing the KSK story to life in order to advance its mission and build sustainable philanthropic growth.”
For more than three decades, Kickstart Kids, founded by Mr. and Mrs. Norris, has placed martial arts instructors inside public schools to build character, discipline, and confidence in students across Texas, impacting more than 120,000 students to date.
“Gillian’s experience building donor relationships and driving sustainable growth for a mission-driven organization makes her exactly the right leader to help us protect and expand the work Mr. Norris started,” said Diana Sayavedra, Executive Director of Kickstart Kids.
Lindenberg holds a bachelor’s of arts degree, magna cum laude, from Brandeis University. She lives in Houston with her husband, Daniel, and their two sons, Isaac and Henry.
Lindenberg begins her role as Chief Development Officer in early September 2026.
About Kickstart Kids
Kickstart Kids is a Texas-based nonprofit founded by Mr. and Mrs. Chuck and Gena Norris in 1990 that places martial arts instructors in public schools to build character, discipline, and leadership in students. Over more than 30 years, the organization has impacted more than 120,000 students across Texas. Kickstart Kids has been recognized with the Safe School Award from Crime Stoppers of Houston and the North Texas Crime Commission for its impact on school and community safety.
