Svetlana Elgart, born on December 10, 1967, in Odesa, Ukraine, is a Ukrainian-American entrepreneur, educator, and passionate health advocate. Through her dynamic and impactful work, she has emerged as a transformative figure in childhood nutrition and wellness education. As the founder and CEO of Rainbow Chefs Academy (RCA), Svetlana has devoted nearly two decades to developing innovative programs that empower children and youth with critical life skills and the tools to lead healthier lives.
Svetlana immigrated to the United States in 1978 with her parents, seeking better opportunities and a brighter future. Her early life in a household that valued wholesome, home-cooked meals sowed the seeds for her future in nutrition education. After earning an Associate of Science degree in Business and Marketing from the University of North Texas in 1987, Svetlana continued to pursue her passion for health by completing the Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts program at Bauman College, earning her Nutrition Consultant credential.
Elgart’s entrepreneurial spirit took shape early in her career, with the launch of Kids Homework Club, an after-school academic support program, and Strings of Art, a creative art center that engaged families and fostered imagination in young learners. These ventures demonstrated her deep understanding of child development and her commitment to holistic education.
In 2011, Svetlana founded Rainbow Chefs, a groundbreaking initiative that brought together health, wellness, and culinary education through hands-on learning experiences. This program later evolved into Rainbow Chefs Academy (RCA) in 2020, a comprehensive curriculum-based program focused on health, wellness, nutrition, and culinary arts education for K–12 students.
Under Svetlana’s leadership, RCA has grown into a national platform for positive change. The academy has impacted the lives of more than 45,000 students by integrating wellness education into school curricula. Each lesson includes the preparation of a healthy RCA recipe, providing students with practical cooking skills alongside nutritional knowledge. RCA’s programs have been implemented in partnership with school districts, cities, and educational consortiums to combat widespread issues such as childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Elgart’s vision extends beyond the classroom. RCA has expanded into digital platforms, including YouTube and podcasts, making health and nutrition education accessible to broader audiences. These efforts are complemented by her forthcoming children’s book series, Kale the Cupboard Monster, set for release in April 2025. The series aims to engage younger audiences with fun, educational storytelling that promotes healthy eating habits from an early age.
Adding to her list of accomplishments, Svetlana recently authored Cooking Healthy with Rainbow Chefs: Cookbook for Kids – Easy and Delicious Recipes, set to release in July 2024. This cookbook is a reflection of her long-standing mission to make nutrition education approachable and enjoyable for children and families.
As a mother of three daughters, Svetlana experienced firsthand the shortcomings of traditional school lunch programs and the lack of comprehensive health education in schools. Motivated by a desire to protect and nourish her own children, she began crafting nutritious meals at home—an effort that later scaled into a full-blown mission to improve the health of future generations.
Svetlana Elgart’s journey is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to public health. Through Rainbow Chefs Academy and her numerous educational initiatives, she has redefined what it means to prepare children for academic success and a lifetime of well-being. Her work continues to inspire educators, parents, and communities to prioritize health and empower the next generation to make informed, confident decisions about their lives.
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