Svetlana Elgart
Svetlana Elgart is a visionary entrepreneur and educator dedicated to transforming youth nutrition and wellness through innovative educational programs. As the Founder and CEO of Rainbow Chefs Academy, she leads a mission-driven organization that leverages STEAM/STEM education and a SaaS platform to combat diabetes and obesity in K–12 students. With over 17 years of experience working with children across multiple capacities, Svetlana has successfully founded and scaled organizations that combine academic support, life skills development, and creative enrichment, including Kids Homework Club and Strings of Art.
Under her leadership, Rainbow Chefs Academy has expanded to reach more than 36,000 students, offering hands-on learning in nutrition, culinary arts, and wellness. Svetlana’s programs are designed to be accessible to schools, after-school networks, and educational consortiums, integrating seamlessly with frameworks such as Common Core, STEM/STEAM, CASEL, and NGSS. Her approach emphasizes not only healthy eating and culinary skills but also ethics, perseverance, and kindness, preparing students to make informed, lifelong choices about their health.
A lifelong learner herself, Svetlana earned an associate degree in Business and Marketing from University of North Texas and holds a Nutrition Consultant certification from Bauman College: Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys fitness, gardening, and cooking, while also raising three adult daughters and cherishing her four grandchildren. Her work exemplifies a commitment to education, community wellness, and empowering the next generation to lead healthier, more vibrant lives.
• Nutrition Consultant (NC)
• University of North Texas - A.S.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance and determination—the ability to rise each day with focus and move forward, no matter the challenges.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to be a leader who is both kind and knowledgeable, and to build a strong team—success cannot be achieved alone.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to follow their dreams and believe in themselves—self-confidence is the foundation for achieving anything.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is integrating health, wellness, and nutrition education into school systems while effectively managing growth. The greatest opportunities lie in scaling programs, expanding into new states—such as our upcoming launch in Texas—and forming partnerships with schools to broaden our impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are ethics, professionalism, perseverance, and kindness.