Leadership

Dedicated to serving those who serve at home.

The Hero Kids Foundation's aim is to provide a multidisciplinary approach to promote and support Military & First Responders children, together with the whole family, utilizing animal-assisted therapies along with nature based activities. We strive on building hope, confidence, and self-worth.
Hero Kids Foundation is dedicated to serving those who serve at home & enriching families to connect, restore, and thrive.

Executive Leadership

John Raniowski
Founder

John founded Hero Kids in 2014 after completing twenty-five years of Naval Service. During that time John served in such postings as; US Fleet Forces Command, Naval Special Warfare Group II, Office of Naval Intelligence, The Chemical Biological Anti-Terrorism Taskforce, United States Marine Corps 2nd Marine Infantry Division.
John's education includes; National Security Agency - Operational Security Planner Academy, Office of Naval Intelligence-Senior Medical Operations Intelligence Analyst, Naval Post Graduate School - Executive Medicine Senior Enlisted Academy and Intelligence Course, Joint Forces Staff College - Senior Enlisted Course, Joint Special Operations University - Senior Enlisted Course, Naval Judge Advocate - Senior Enlisted Course. John also holds a Program Management Certificate in Nonprofit Management. John is a member of the United States Naval Institute, Naval Special Warfare Foundation, UDT/SEAL Association, Special Operations Medical Association and Association of Former Intelligence Officers.

Kreg Vaughné
Executive Director

A veteran of the United States Air Force, Kreg has a Bachelors in Liberal Arts
and MA in Non Profit Business. He brings to HKF over 30 years’ experience in the Non-profit industry including being the founder and CEO of Global Care Initiatives, an international Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief organization, 2004-2013. Kreg has been married for 37 years and has 2 sons who are both involved in international business.
A Favorite quote;
“ I know that I am not able to do all the good that the world
needs, but I am certain the world needs all the good that I can do.”