Lenka was raised in former Czechoslovakia, under communist rule and escaped at an early young age with her family, seeking new opportunities.  As an immigrant and a child living under oppression, she understands and has experienced the struggles that many families face living under oppressive governments, difficult life changes and challenges.  After many years of working in variety of industries with families and kids, her passion for education grew to help create opportunities in education and dreams for all kids. As she would say, "every child deserves a safe place to learn, dream and play."  

Lenka has over 20 years of work experience in the business and healthcare industries. She holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and The Wharton School, as well as a M.A. in Kinesiology from San Jose State University. She has worked as an Analyst and Consultant in Corporate Finance and Litigation Support at The Vanguard Group, Arthur Anderson, Navigant Consulting, and Peterson Consulting. Her business experience consists of preparing complex liability assessments, fact gathering, designing operation and litigation strategies, financial analysis in post-acquisition disputes and SEC investigations for Fortune 500 companies, preparing expert research and litigation reports for claims over $100 million, and analyzing industry trends in banking, pharmaceuticals, communication, insurance and healthcare.

As a former high-level athlete, for the past 20 years she has been dedicated to developing opportunities for children in education and recreation at numerous Philadelphia and Bay-Area schools and institutions. She was the founder/owner of Fitopia Fitness and Wellness, a California-based LLC. Since 2006 she served as the Co-Advisor and Wellness Instructor at Deborah’s Palm, a non-profit dedicated to women’s services. She is an active coach, mentor and volunteer to at-risk-youth programs, such as Big City Mountaineers and many others over her coaching/mentoring years. She is also the founder and board advisor to Za Krajsiu Povasku Bystrica (now: https://www.zrniecka-pre-sny.sk), a non-profit in Slovakia that helps schools to create/sustain underfunded school programs that help provide educational opportunities for children during and after schools.  These school programs unite and engage kids through positive experiences such as Horticulture, Revival of School Settings, Food Drives, Outdoor Planting/Eco-Culture, and Sport Events (Summer Games/Walk/Runs). All in all, connecting kids and communities together, teaching empathy, friendship and sharing responsibilities for safer, supportive sustainable communities. "Together we can make a bigger positive and memorable impact, starting at the grassroots level, by engaging young children in programs that teach them the essential life skills of responsibility and community. 

     Why do you run and why you love it?

Moving is freeing and it makes me happy.

Why education, kids, and sports are essential building blocks for life?

There's no greater way to learn the lessons of life than through education, volunteering and sports.