Kristen Smillie is the Vice President of Corporate Operations and Program Development.
Mrs. Smillie holds a B.A. in Dance with a dual concentration in Performance and Teaching/Choreography from Mercyhurst University. She expanded her movement knowledge with additional certifications: RYT 200, Children’s Yoga Instructor, and Yoga Faith Instructor for Adults.
She has taught children and dance educators for over 25 years in traditional dance studios and other settings. She attends continuing education workshops and classes to stay informed on new educational concepts and learning styles. Kristen is certified in Mindfulness for Young Athletes, Trauma-Informed Yoga, and Mindfulness for Children and Teens with Special Needs.
Since 2010, Kristen has trained franchisees in business operations, marketing strategies, employee training, and numerous dance genres: ballet, tap, gymnastics, yoga, and jazz. Kristen continues to support franchisees, helping them reach their full potential and enrich the lives of young children through movement and dance at all stages of childhood development. She is the head of program design and created the course materials for four of the eight enrichment programs under the Kinderdance Int. umbrella. In addition, she updated the founder’s original training content and music selections. Kristen oversees franchisee business operations as well as corporate and retail management.
Karen Maltese serves as the Vice President of Franchise Sales
Mrs. Maltese brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. With a strong background in education, accounting and finance, Karen has been instrumental in driving the growth and success of the Kinderdance brand.
Karen also served as the General Fund Manager for Brevard Public Schools (BPS), one of the largest school districts in Florida. In this position, she was responsible for managing the district’s general fund, overseeing budget planning, and ensuring the effective allocation of resources. Her work with BPS showcased her strong leadership abilities and her commitment to supporting educational initiatives.
Before joining Kinderdance, Karen held significant positions in both the public and private sectors. She served as the Accounting and Finance Manager at DNPR NASA Kennedy Space Center, where she managed financial operations for one of the most iconic aerospace facilities in the world. In this role, Karen demonstrated her keen analytical skills and ability to oversee complex financial systems, ensuring efficient and accurate financial reporting.
Karen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Accounting and Finance, which provided her with a solid foundation in financial management and business operations. In addition to her formal education, she has pursued numerous certifications in leadership, further honing her skills in guiding teams and fostering organizational growth.
At Kinderdance International, They both work diligently to provide support and guidance needed for children to thrive in dance, music and movement programs. Under there leadership, Kinderdance International has seen its vision for the future of the company as it continues to expand with new innovations, with a focus on bringing the benefits of Kinderdance’s unique programs to even more children worldwide.