Squad Stars
Brooke Blankenship
Founder & Executive Director
Brooke is a certified educator and school librarian with almost two decades of experience in education. In 2017, she became a certified yoga teacher, and has since completed extensive training on bringing mindfulness and yoga to children, including becoming an RCYT (Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher) and an E-RYT 500 through Yoga Alliance. By incorporating the principles and movements of yoga into storytime, she saw the connections students made into daily life. This inspired Brooke to share the experience with more children and she created Yogi Squad in 2018. Since then, Yogi Squad has been invited into homes, schools, and daycares to inspire children’s physical, social, and emotional growth.
Brooke also serves as Yogi Squad's Board President.
Vahista Ussery
Vahista Ussery, MS, MBA, RDN, is a registered dietitian, nutritionist, and chef specializing in culinary nutrition and simplifying healthy eating. She has worked as a private caterer, school district dietitian supervisor, and K-12 Child Nutrition Consultant for the Texas Department of Agriculture, even contributing to Michelle Obama's Let’s Move campaign at the White House. In 2015, she co-founded To Taste with Lindsey Schoenfeld, offering culinary workshops, cooking demos, and nutrition education. She also develops recipes, wellness publications, and videos, working with Chef Cyndie’s K-12 Culinary Team, and is a U.S. News & World Report Best Diets expert reviewer.
Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Vahista loves traveling, soccer, yoga, and family time. A devoted mom, she’s passionate about children's health—and never skips a day without hot tea or dark chocolate!
Adrienne Johnson
Adrienne Johnson is a paralegal at a Fort Worth law firm. She is passionate about literacy and has volunteered as a literacy tutor at The Women's Center. She believes in instilling a love for reading in children as early as possible and in the powerful way reading can soothe, empower, and transform a child. If you are a kid in her life, you most definitely receive lots of books for your birthday! She is thrilled to support YogiSquad’s mission to combine the healing practices of yoga, reading, and mindfulness to benefit kids in our community.
Adriene serves as Yogi Squad’s Board Secretary.
Kristin Westhoff
With an illustrious 30-year tenure as an esteemed educator within the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD), Kristin brings a wealth of experience and a passion for holistic development to YogiSquad.
As a certified Montessori teacher, she has nurtured young minds, instilling a love for learning and balance. Beyond the classroom, Kristin has seamlessly woven fitness into her daily routine, recognizing its profound impact on overall well-being.
As a proud parent of two, Kristin cherishes family as the cornerstone of her life. An avid reader, nature enthusiast, and community advocate, Kristin generously dedicates her time, expertise, and financial support to YogiSquad, embodying a commitment to spreading the transformative benefits of yoga and holistic wellness.
Kristin is Yogi Squad’s Board Treasurer.
Angela Hall
Angela Hall is thrilled to join the Yogi Squad board of directors, which combines her passion for yoga with her professional experience in marketing and community involvement.
Angela has been teaching and practicing yoga for over 14 years and currently serves as the Vice President - Marketing, Events & Communications for the Fort Worth Chamber.
As a teacher, Angela understands the impact yoga can have on and off the mat for humans of all ages.
Mindful awareness and curiosity are key tenets in her own practice, teachings, and life.
Angela lives in Fort Worth with her husband, who is an educator, and 6-year old son.
Jenn Nelson
Jenn Nelson is honored to join the Yogi Squad Board, blending 20+ years in training, development, and communications with her passion for yoga and children’s wellness.
A dedicated yogi for over nine years and a true bookworm, she values teaching mindfulness and fostering a love of reading in a safe, creative space. Supporting the next generation of little yogis brings her joy.
Jenn lives in Fort Worth with her husband, staying active in their church and community while adjusting to empty-nesting and cheering on their Aggie in College Station.
