Chief Executive Director & Founder
Dr. Barbara J. Kinney is the President and CEO of Sparrke, a youth development organization dedicated to igniting the potential of young people through transformative experiences. As an educational and clinical leader, Dr. Kinney brings a unique blend of expertise in psychology, nursing, and technology to her mission of helping youth realize their potential.
Education
Dr. Kinney holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on integrating psychology, learning, and technology, along with an MBA and MS in Nursing, all from Grand Canyon University. She earned her BSN from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, establishing a strong foundation in both clinical practice and educational theory.
Professional Experience
Dr. Kinney has built an impressive career spanning higher education, healthcare systems, and professional development across multiple prestigious institutions. Her journey has taken her from clinical educator roles to faculty positions at major universities, where she has consistently demonstrated her ability to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
As a leader in clinical education and professional development, she has transformed learning experiences for countless emerging professionals, designing innovative curricula that integrate cutting-edge technology with proven pedagogical approaches. Her expertise in mentoring and developing talent has been recognized across academic and healthcare settings, where she has consistently elevated performance standards and created pathways for professional growth.
This rich background in cultivating excellence and unlocking potential in educational and clinical environments now serves as the foundation for the transformative programming at Sparrke.
Dr. Barbara J. Kinney
The Sparrke Story
There are moments in life when everything shifts—when you suddenly see a future you never dared imagine. For Dr. Kinney, that moment came when she encountered others who had walked similar paths and who had achieved what once seemed impossible: PhDs, DNPs, lives transformed by education and determination. In that instant of recognition, something ignited within her—a knowing so deep and certain that her path forward became crystal clear. She never looked back.
But Dr. Kinney understood that her story wasn't unique in its struggle; it was unique in her opportunity to recognize it. How many brilliant young minds never get that moment? How many never see themselves reflected in those who have succeeded? This question became her calling.
From her own transformative experience, Sparrke was born—not just as an organization, but as a movement to create those life-changing moments of recognition for others. A native of Kansas City, Dr. Kinney has dedicated her life to ensuring that young people from all backgrounds can experience what she felt that day: the profound realization that their dreams aren't just possible—they're inevitable.
Through Sparrke, she creates spaces where potential meets possibility, where young minds discover not just what they can become, but who they already are. Every youth who walks through Sparrke's doors has the chance to experience their own moment of recognition, to find their sparrke, and to never look back.
Our Board of Directors
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Destani Cooksey
Destani Cooksey
President, Board of DirectorsDestani Cooksey serves as President of SPARRKE's Board of Directors, bringing a unique combination of entrepreneurial leadership and deep understanding of youth development that perfectly aligns with the organization's mission of igniting potential through experiential learning. With seven years of entrepreneurial experience and expertise as a business income consultant, Destani understands firsthand the transformative power of expanding one's vision beyond current circumstances to create meaningful impact.
Having served many hours as a youth volunteer herself, Destani brings authentic insight into the volunteer experience and the profound impact that meaningful service can have on personal development. Her extensive volunteer background provides valuable perspective on how to create engaging opportunities that genuinely transform participants rather than simply fulfilling requirements.
Destani's entrepreneurial journey exemplifies SPARRKE's philosophy that transformative experiences ignite potential - having built her own successful consulting practice while maintaining a deep commitment to community engagement. Her business background provides strategic insight into sustainable growth and operational excellence, while her volunteer experience reflects SPARRKE's core belief that authentic leadership develops through hands-on community engagement.
Her commitment to empowering individuals to expand their worldviews and recognize their ability to create change mirrors SPARRKE's mission of developing global citizens who understand their power to impact communities locally and internationally. Through her leadership at SPARRKE, Destani brings both the strategic business acumen necessary for organizational growth and the authentic understanding of volunteer experience that drives the organization's innovative approach to leadership development.
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LaTeisha Williams
LaTeisha Williams, LCSW, LSCSW
Vice President, Board of DirectorsLaTeisha Williams is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Queen Brand Healing & Wellness, where she specializes in helping individuals move beyond survival mode into thriving lives of purpose, healing, and leadership. With over a decade of experience in mental health, trauma-informed care, and community wellness, she brings both professional expertise and a deep passion for human potential to her leadership roles.
As the Vice President of the Board of Directors for SPARRKE, LaTeisha is committed to advancing the organization’s mission of transforming lives through experiential education. She believes strongly in the power of immersive learning to ignite leadership, expand global citizenship, and create lasting impact for children, youth, and adults alike.
Her work bridges individual healing and community transformation, making her uniquely positioned to support programs that foster resilience, equity, and leadership development across diverse communities. -
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Carmen D. Wilson
Carmen D. Wilson
Secretary, Board of DirectorsCarmen Wilson brings over three decades of experience in education, business, and community service, along with a lifelong commitment to uplifting children, families, and her community. Her diverse background in program development, educational innovation, and cross-generational mentorship aligns perfectly with SPARRKE's mission of igniting potential through experiential learning.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Carmen earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and Marketing from the University of Central Missouri. Early in her career, she held customer service and management roles with respected companies including Marriott Corporation, Hallmark Cards, Fidelity Life Insurance, and American Century Investments.
After relocating to Plano, Texas, Carmen combined her entrepreneurial spirit with her passion for children by founding Safehavens Home Child Care Center. She successfully managed all aspects of the business—from budgeting and curriculum development to operations—while also serving as Co-Founder and President of The Kids Forum Childcare Association, which provided professional training for childcare providers. In addition, she launched Kidnection, a web-based childcare referral service connecting families with quality providers across the region.
Following 13 years as a small business owner, Carmen transitioned into education with Plano ISD, where she created the CARE program (Carpenter Assures Respectful Education) for Special Education students, later serving as Office Manager at Carpenter Middle School. Her dedication was recognized with the Plano ISD Superintendent Service Award for outstanding service in 2014.
Carmen later joined Bonham ISD, where she continues to serve students as an Instructional Aide after beginning in the Payroll Department. Her commitment to excellence and student success has been recognized through multiple honors, including being named Paraprofessional of the Year twice and being selected as a District Ambassador representing Bonham ISD at the state level.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Carmen is known for her warmth, integrity, and ability to inspire others across generations. A proud wife, mother of three, and grandmother of four, she embodies SPARRKE's belief that transformative experiences can ignite potential at any age. Her experience developing innovative educational programs and her natural ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds make her invaluable in supporting SPARRKE's vision of creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to discover their leadership capacity and global citizenship potential.
Carmen's unique blend of entrepreneurial leadership, educational innovation, and multigenerational perspective brings essential wisdom to SPARRKE's mission of transforming lives through experiential learning that serves people of all ages and backgrounds.
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April Flowers
April Flowers
Treasurer, Board of DirectorsAs a native of Kansas City, April Flowers has dedicated the last 30 years as an educational and community leader to making a meaningful difference through collaborative engagements and partnerships that foster a "village" approach for school and community development. She has served in a vast array of leadership roles across public, charter, and private educational systems in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, acting as a change agent and beacon for innovative educational resources and structural systems designed to prepare 21st Century future leaders.
As a local visual and performance artist, April also serves on two fashion boards and participates on a community-action board against crime, advocating to make Kansas City a more beautiful, harmonious, and safe place for all citizens. Ultimately, in all capacities of leadership she has chosen to participate in, her goal has been to bring the SPARRKE of excellence to every single matter and endeavor.
