Board of Directors

Krishna Kaur – Founder & Lead Trainer

Krishna founded Y.O.G.A. for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to training yoga teachers to work with at-risk youth and creating yoga programs in schools and juvenile facilities. Krishna opened the first yoga center in South Central Los Angeles in 1971 and continues to train yoga teachers, teach workshops, and bring yoga to the underserved populations throughout the world.

A catalyst of many yoga-inspired movements including the International Association of Black Yoga Teachers and Sat Nam Street Players, Krishna has many commendations from local and state leaders. Krishna has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Redlands where she graduated with honors.

Eugene L. Fisher – Board Chairman

Eugene “Gene” Fisher is a man of honor, grace and distinction. Rising from humble beginnings, he received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from UCLA. He has served the public in a long and distinguished career helping to clean smog from the Los Angeles Basin air with the South Coast Air Quality Management District. As Chief Lobbyist with the District Mr. Fisher received many awards for his legislative successes from cities in the South Coast Air Basin and the California Legislature.

In 1997, Mr. Fisher co-founded the Watts Learning Center Charter Elementary School for students in Kindergarten through the 5th Grade. Serving as the president of the board of directors from the school’s beginning in 1997 until present day, he has witnessed the growth and progress of this renowned institute of education. The school has received many honors for its student’s academic achievement including Charter School of the year, several Title I Academic Achievement Awards and Community Service Awards. The school is a haven for students in the inner city. The students are given a “world-class education” by offering the students a unique opportunity to travel to foreign lands such as countries in Africa and Central America every two years. This travel program called “Passport to the World” is currently in the planning stage for a trip to Brazil in 2016. In addition, responding to community demand for quality education for its children, Watts Learning Center opened its grades 6-8 middle school in 2009.

Mr. Fisher is an Elder in his church and sings bass in the choir. He also sings in and serves as the president of the United Male Chorus of Los Angeles. Gene has served on numerous boards dedicated to improving the quality of life for under-resourced families in the inner city and with his church on the local and National levels.

Keval Kaur Khalsa, M.A. – Board Secretary

Keval Kaur Khalsa is a Professor of the Practice of Dance & Theater Studies at Duke University, a Kundalini Yoga Lead Teacher Trainer, and the North Carolina Regional Coordinator for Y.O.G.A. for Youth and Teacher Trainer for Y.O.G.A. for Youth. Keval Kaur is the co-founder of the Y.O.G.A. for Youth Satellite in North Carolina, which offers an annual Y.O.G.A. for Youth teacher training and runs programming in four counties. Keval Kaur has been teaching Kundalini Yoga & Meditation for the past 15 years in locations as far-ranging as Michigan, North Carolina, New Orleans, Brazil, and Togo. She has trained Kundalini Yoga teachers in North Carolina, Louisiana, Tennessee, California, Michigan, and Accra (Ghana). At Duke University, she directed the Dance Program for seven years, teaches courses in dance, Kundalini Yoga & Sikh Dharma, and activist theater, and is currently conducting a multi-year yoga research study supported by Duke’s Bass Connections Initiative.

Janeen Aughenbaugh – Board Treasurer

Janeen Aughenbaugh is the owner of Year of White, a business consulting agency, supporting businesses and brands with innovative strategies for growth. She has 20 years of experience building and leading teams and forging new partnerships in both the corporate and startup sectors. From brands that represent underserved communities to companies that represent sustainable solutions, Janeen collaborates with those that are making positive change through their work.

As a certified teacher of Kundalini Yoga and meditation, Janeen is passionate about serving others through the science and practice of Yoga. She also enjoys serving others through mentoring younger generations in business. Janeen was on the FIDM of Los Angeles faculty, teaching in the Merchandising department and continues to support as a professional guest speaker.

Mariana M. Cruz – Board Member

Mariana is an Organizational Diversity, Inclusion & Wellness consultant and founder of Heketi Consulting Group LLC. She has more than 15 years of experience supporting the inclusion and wellness work of educational and nonprofit organizations across the US, Puerto Rico, and most recently in Asia as well. In addition to her work in organizational development, Mariana also teaches yoga, meditation and mind-body skills in international and community-based settings. Mariana holds a B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico and an M.S. in Education from Cornell University.

Jennifer Bruns – Board Member

Jennifer Bruns is a Y.O.G.A for Youth board member with a passion for the health, wellbeing and empowerment of all youth especially those in underserved communities worldwide. She is a southern California native with over twenty years’ experience in human resource management, talent acquisition and management consulting. She received a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Human Resource Management from California State University, Long Beach and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Jennifer is also an active member of Southside Church of Christ in Los Angeles and has served as a youth counselor, teacher, choir member and community service volunteer with the Concerned Citizens Community Involvement non-profit organization.