Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of Xander’s Acts of Kindness Foundation is made up of dedicated individuals who share a commitment to supporting children with cancer and their families. Through leadership, compassion, community partnerships, and hands-on involvement, our board helps guide the foundation’s mission, programs, fundraising efforts, and continued growth. Each member brings valuable experience and a genuine desire to create moments of joy, provide meaningful support, and make a lasting difference for the families we are honored to serve.
Denise Kuchinski
President & Xander's Mom
Denise has a B.S. in psychology with a minor in sociology from Florida Southern College, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. After college she worked with severely emotionally disturbed children on the clinical staff at Peace River Center while living in Tampa, Florida. After moving to Charlotte she started acting, booking dozens of commercials and industrial films. She was the spokesperson for Honda of Concord and Toyota of Concord for almost 12 years.
When her son Xander was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor she devoted 100% of her time to her son. After his passing Denise was determined to demonstrate to her daughter, Evangeline that happiness was possible no matter what. She studied books on how to survive the loss of a child, took classes, went to grief counseling and began meditating more than an hour each day. After years of hard work to heal, the idea came to her to give joy to children with cancer just as she had tried to do when her own son was sick.
As the President of Xander's Acts of Kindness Foundation she is devoted to giving these gifts to children, lifting up their parents and giving hope to the entire family.
Rae Brammer-Wilson
Vice President
Rae Brammer-Wilson is a retired mental health therapist whose career focused on domestic violence advocacy, counseling women and leading groups for court-ordered men with a history of violence. After retirement, she continued serving others by teaching English as a Second Language and later supporting homeless pregnant women through Visitation House of DeLand as a therapist and board member.
Her work included birth support, volunteer recruitment, fundraising outreach, and property improvement efforts. Rae found great reward in helping women move through difficult seasons and build more stable lives for themselves and their children. She is also the mother of Xander’s Acts of Kindness Foundation President, Denise Kuchinski, and the grandmother of Xander. Her life and career reflect compassion, advocacy, and a deep commitment to helping women and families create safer, stronger futures.
Juli Barnhart
Secretary
Juli was introduced to the Kuchinski family in June 2020. The timing was perfect. Her 20-year career had just ended abruptly because of Covid, and Brian was looking for help with his company, Peaceful Ponds.
Fast forward to today, Juli sees Brian daily at the office and has grown close with Denise and Eva. She is honored to have been asked to serve on the board. Over the years Juli has donated time at various non-profits. It always warmed her heart to be able to give back.
She and her husband, Jim love spending time outdoors, traveling and cheering on their favorite sports teams.
Born and raised near Pittsburgh, PA, Jennifer pursued a passion for education at Slippery Rock University, and later Queens University of Charlotte. In 2014, she moved to Charlotte, NC, to begin a career in teaching and is currently teaching 6th grade math.
Jennifer lives in South Charlotte with her husband, Jeremy, daughter, Jordan and dog, Molly. She enjoy playing and watching sports, volunteering, traveling, and spending time with her family!
Though she never had the privilege of meeting Xander, Jennifer is honored to be part of Xander’s Acts of Kindness Foundation, carrying forward his spirit of generosity and compassion.
Jennifer Selan
Ana Mello
Treasurer
Ana Mello is a finance leader with more than 20 years of global manufacturing experience, specializing in strategy, performance improvement, and team development. She has led multicultural teams across international markets and supported a wide range of industries, including automotive electrification, power generation and distribution, rail transportation, and building materials.
Ana currently serves as Senior Finance Director, Global Manufacturing Insulation, at Owens Corning.