Owner and Senior Chief Instructor Dawn Barnes is the founder of the world's first and only martial arts style developed specifically for children. She has been studying martial arts and teaching children for over 25 years. In addition to overseeing her seven locations, instructing her teachers and advanced students, Sensei Dawn also lectures nationally for the martial arts industry. She is also the author of the popular children's book series called, The Black Belt Club, published by Scholastic Inc., and is an inductee into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as "Woman of the Year."
	COO, Ben Yellin, Is a partner in Dawn Barnes Karate Kids, and brings 30 years of business expertise to the company. He supervises management development,and oversees the company owned expansion of DBKK locations throughout southern California.
	General Manager Alesia DeSisto's background as Executive Director of Clientele Development for Bloomingdale's and also Senior Manager and Buyer for Fred Segal is a great asset to her management skills. Along with her position as General Manager for Karate Kids, she is also Director of Community Relations and is responsible for school and charity donations and special events.
	Program Director Ando Mierzwa assists Sensei Dawn with new business concepts, and in house production projects. As a quality control expert, and Black Belt, Ando brings years of experience to making sure that each instructor is trained to effectively use Sensei Dawn's positive dialogue response teaching method on the mat.
	Psychologist, Black Belt Dr. Bruce Rush, is a licensed clinical psychologist, specializing in therapy, and testing with children and adolescents. Dr. Bruce has been practicing martial arts for over 25 years, and as a child development expert, works with Karate Kids as the on staff advisor. He is also the head instructor for the west division of Kids Kicking Cancer, and will be teaching a weekly class of self-empowerment at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.