MEET OUR TEAM
We are neighbors, organizers, artists, parents, helpers, fixers, and learners.
Some of us teach skills. Some of us build spaces. Some of us bring snacks, tables, or calm energy when it is needed.
All of us believe that kindness is something you do, not something you say. We do not lead from the top. We work side by side. Ideas come from lived experience, not titles.
The Humans Behind the Kindness
Anna Mann
Founder, Events & Community Outreach
Anna Mann has spent more than eleven years working in the tech field and is an avid reader who loves projects, problem solving, and learning new ways of doing things. She has always been drawn to science, building, and puzzles, and is energized by ideas that challenge how we think or work. Her curiosity and love of hands-on learning shape both her professional life and her community work.
Caring for the environment has been a lifelong value, with a deep focus on sustainability and native plants since 2020. Anna is an active member of the native plant community and believes it is important to introduce children to volunteering, nature, and diverse environments, which is why her four year old often joins her in this work.
Anna is a huge animal lover, deeply committed to her family and friends, and driven by a desire to bring people together to help create a world that is kinder, more gentle, and more connected.
Bri Garcia
Founder, Creative Director & Logistics
Bri Garcia is a local artist with over 15 years of experience. She sees art as a way to explore life, process emotion, and connect with others. Her work is grounded in curiosity, honesty, and the belief that creative expression belongs to everyone.
As Bright’s Creative Director, Bri takes creative ideas and brings them to life, helping shape how Bright shows up in the community. She is deeply passionate about sharing skills, encouraging self expression, and using creative practice as a tool for healing, reflection, and connection.
In addition to serving as Bright’s Creative Director, Bri is our beloved event emcee and runs logistics, manages scheduling, and builds the policy framework that keeps our organization steady and fair. Bri blends creativity with structure, which helps our work stay welcoming, organized, and strong.
You can view Bri’s work online at Bri Garcia Art.
Heather Montag
Founder, Operations & Community Systems
Heather Montag brings over 30 years of experience in community organizing and nonprofit event planning, with a focus on adult learning throughout life stages. Her own ongoing learning journey shapes how she supports community work and skill sharing.
Heather oversees operations and community systems, manages the website, registration, and communications to help things run as smoothly as possible while also working toward lowering barriers to participation. She builds understanding by listening to people with different identities, abilities, backgrounds, and life experiences. Heather uses what she learns to make spaces more open, welcoming, and accessible for all.
Heather enjoys diving into any hands-on skill that catches her interest. Her passion for learning and sharing useful knowledge guides her work and daily life. Heather has kept backyard chickens for over a decade and loves to share her knowledge and eggs. She believes real strength comes from people supporting each other and learning side by side.
Kris Evans
Founder, Resources, Sustainability, Public Policy & Impact
Kris Evans is deeply committed to environmental sustainability, focusing on reusing and repurposing materials to reduce waste and promote mindful living. In the Bright community, she has taken the lead in founding and organizing free resource exchanges. These events created welcoming spaces where people can donate and share items, fostering both environmental responsibility and community connection. Kris believes that by working together, communities can create lasting solutions to common challenges.
Her passion extends beyond environmental issues into how society cares for its members. She stays informed about policies affecting the community and actively advocates for thoughtful, compassionate approaches to social care. Kris’s work blends hands-on initiatives with a broad vision for building a healthier, more connected society.
Through her efforts, Kris inspires others to think differently about resources, relationships, and the role each person plays in creating positive change.
Jennifer Johnson
Bright Community Ambassador, Early Learning Advocate
Jennifer Johnson is lovingly known in the Bright community as “The Rock”. For over 30 years, she has dedicated herself to supporting early childhood development, becoming a steady and trusted presence for families and colleagues alike.
Jennifer brings a quiet and calm energy that grounds those around her. She often jokes that her calm only lasts most of the time, hinting at a spirited side we’ve yet to witness but remain eager to discover. Her steady commitment and gentle humor make her a pillar in the community and a source of comfort for many.
Jennifer represents the Bright Kindness Collective community as an ambassador. She steps in when help is needed. She helps people make posters, donates items others can use, and volunteers her piano skills at a local nursing facility. Jennifer’s steadfastness lifts the mood and fills every space with kindness and joy.
Brittney Westbrook
Bright Project Development Advisor
More about Brittney coming your way soon!
Sabriel Mann
Lead Curiosity Officer, Junior Community Builder
Sabriel Mann is age four and is an important part of the Bright team. She helps with volunteer projects alongside her mom, Anna. She tests creative ideas and gives honest feedback in her own way.
Sabriel enjoys trying local food, visiting farm animals, and being part of community spaces. Her favorite color is red, which fits her bold spirit and curious nature.