Bridget Belden – Founder and CEO
Bridget Belden grew up in Mill Valley, California. Shortly after graduating from Scripps College in Claremont, CA she took a job with May Company in their management training program. During her career, she held management positions in apparel manufacturing and retailing with companies such as Levi Strauss &Co and Lucky Brand Jeans. While she was with Lucky Brand, she worked on a community project with her daughter’s 2nd grade class that truly inspired her. She found that the kids were able to look at issues in the community and identify solutions without being hindered by ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. In 2004 after some serious soul searching, Bridget left Lucky Brand Jeans so that she could spend more time with her family and concentrate on developing this concept further. That initial idea evolved over a couple of years into Ripple KidsTM Inc., a nonprofit organization that seeks to inspire kids to take action in their community by publicizing the success of their peers. Bridget’s favorite pastimes are traveling, spending time with her family and friends and pursuing her latest passion – painting. She lives in Orange County with her husband and two children.
Tina Krudwig - Director
Tina has been married to Travis Krudwig for 10 years and they have 3 boys. Cooper-9, Cohen-7, and Che-5. The Krudwig family lives in Tustin and their boys attend Arroyo Elementary School. Tina grew up in San Diego, attended Cal State San Marcos, and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Communication. She moved to Tustin in 2000 after graduating and has been happy to call Tustin home since then. Family life dominates most of her free time as the boys play numerous competitive sports. She is proud to sometimes be reduced to a chaperone role as the boys must be taxied to every practice, game, and tournament, but that’s how she likes it! Tina is and always will be someone that places her family and the needs of others first.
Tina was the first Ripple Kids Representative for the PTA at Arroyo and served in that position for 2 years. During that time she was able to help develop and refine the Ripple Kids program, and she thoroughly enjoyed watching the ‘ripple affect’ sweep through Arroyo. She has always had a heart that has been called to serve, and she is thrilled to be involved in an organization that enables others (especially young hearts) to experience the joy of giving oneself away. She served in that position for two years and is excited to help take Ripple Kids to new frontiers as a board member.
Donna Miller - President
Donna is the mom of a Ripple Kid and is married with two more children. Along with her husband they own and operate a company in Orange, Calif. Donna worked for Ralph Lauren for 15 years as a buyer/manager. She has been a member of Assistance League of Santa Ana for the past 13 years and has chaired and helped develop the Gift of Giving Event. She is also a member of National Charity League of North Tustin and Fashionable Women of Chapman. Giving back to our communities is an example she wants to set for her children and why she believes in the Ripple Kids program.
Jim Salzetti - Treasurer
Jim Salzetti grew up in Southern California and is a long time resident of Tustin where he and his wife, Teresa, raise their children, Sierra, 14 and Johnny, 12. Jim attended Long Beach State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing. Currently, Jim is the General Manager of La Jolla Group’s retail division whose portfolio includes the most recognized brands in the actions sports industry such as O’Neill, Metal Mulisha and Rusty, among others. Upon arriving at La Jolla Group, Jim has accelerated the company’s involvement in the community with Give-Back Events and fund raising drives for local schools like Utt Middle School, Foothill High School, Mater Dei High School, Red Hill Lutheran and many more.
Prior to his time with La Jolla Group, Jim was the Operations Manager of the well-known, 15 store chain, Chick’s Sporting Goods. During his 20 years with Chick’s Sporting Goods, Jim involved himself with and became very active in the community by promoting fund raising through the Chick’s Sporting Goods stores. Jim’s generosity and support for the community led to the Tustin Chamber of Commerce voting Chick’s Sporting Goods as the Large Business of the Year in 2005. Jim’s involvement with the community does not end with his fund raising efforts, Jim volunteers his time and has served as a board member for Tustin Eastern Little League and as a member of the Tustin Chamber of Commerce, Tustin Public Schools Foundation and the American Youth Soccer Organization. Jim is a passionate fisherman and fan of whatever sport or activity his children participate in.
Maggie Villegas - Secretary
Maggie Villegas has served as an elementary school principal in the Tustin Unified School District for the past 14 years. In her current assignment at Arroyo Elementary School, a National Blue Ribbon School, Maggie has had the opportunity to infuse her passion for student service in coordination with the Ripple Kids Student Recognition Program to inspire many students on her campus. She lives in Tustin with her husband and two children who attend TUSD schools and participate in various local sports programs. In 2008 she was selected as the Administrator of the Year for Orange County.