Our Team

Carla leads marketing and communications for Wiz Kids, connecting families, campers, staff, and supporters by telling the Wiz Kids story. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in Strategic Communications from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Carla has dedicated her 27-year career to supporting educational and nonprofit organizations that build bright futures for children, families, and communities.

Iris leads our people and culture efforts, guiding all aspects of talent recruitment, training, and personnel strategy across program operations. With more than 17 years of experience building inclusive, high-performing teams, she brings a deep understanding of how thoughtful talent systems and equitable practices drive organizational success.Before joining Wiz Kids, Iris held senior HR and talent leadership roles with organizations including FINRA, Howard Brown Health, and JCC Chicago. Her work has consistently centered on strengthening workforce pipelines, designing leadership development programs, and creating environments where staff feel empowered to grow and contribute their best.A graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with a master’s in Human Resources Management, Iris brings a people-first approach to organizational growth, ensuring that every member of the Wiz Kids team is equipped and supported to make a lasting impact.

Kimberly provides financial and strategic services to Wiz Kids, ensuring the organization’s financial health and sustainability. With over 20 years of experience across industries—including roles at the Chicago Urban League, Quaker Oats, Exelon, and HSBC—she has led teams in finance, strategy, and operations, specializing in grant reporting, M&A, budgeting, and portfolio management. Kimberly holds a B.S. in Accounting from Indiana University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business. A CPA, she has also chaired the Board Finance Committee at Chicago State University and hosted CANTV’s In the Money series, empowering Chicagoans to manage their finances. Based in Chicago, Kimberly stays active in public service through Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Jack and Jill of America Inc.

Nathan Legardy, Sr. is the Founder and Executive Director of Wiz Kids, established in 2009. Since then, Wiz Kids has grown from a single-location summer camp to a multi-campus program serving over 500 children annually. Nathan leads Wiz Kids' strategic expansion and manages grant oversight and funding acquisition, including plans for a community center. He also serves as Vice President of the Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233 Board of Education, overseeing school policy, curriculum, student supports, and discipline. Prior to Wiz Kids, Nathan had a nearly 20-year career in executive search.

Paul Jenkins brings a unique blend of professional excellence and passion for youth development. After two impactful seasons coaching golf at Wiz Kids, Paul now leads our entire sports program, creating high-energy, skills-based experiences that build teamwork, confidence, and a love for physical activity in every camper.

With a distinguished career as a global electrical engineering leader for BP, Paul has worked in over seven countries managing high-stakes infrastructure and mentoring diverse teams. A former Senior Electrical Engineer and Technical Authority, Paul brings the same strategic thinking, problem-solving, and team leadership that drove his engineering success into every aspect of our sports program.

Paul is committed to helping young people grow through movement, challenge, and positive coaching—and his belief in the power of preparation and discipline makes him a standout mentor both on and off the field.

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Sean leads our development efforts, focusing on sustainable growth, meaningful partnerships, and expanding opportunities for children to learn, play, and thrive. Before joining Wiz Kids, he served in a similar capacity at Action for Healthy Kids, where he guided a national team in building collaborations that advanced child health and wellness—including a landmark partnership with the USDA to launch the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative.

Throughout his career, Sean has demonstrated a deep commitment to youth empowerment and community well-being. He has held leadership roles with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, and Chicago Cares. A proud University of Illinois graduate, Sean brings a talent for strategy and relationship-building, connecting mission-driven organizations with partners who share a vision for meaningful, lasting impact.

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Yaritzi earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Howard University and a master’s degree in Education from Relay Graduate School of Education. She served as the Site Director during the founding year of the Wiz Kids Whitney Young campus and later transitioned into the role of Director of Programming and Development. Prior to this role, Yaritzi spent 7 years as a public school educator, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to shaping young minds.