Meet the Founders
The Heart Behind Keystone Spark Academy
Ours is a loud, loving, wonderfully chaotic household—full of big feelings, bigger personalities, and daily lessons in grace, growth, and grit.
We’re Andrea and Marc Cesar, the co-founders of Keystone Spark Academy. And like many of the families we now serve, our journey into advocacy and inclusive education started right at home.
Between ADHD, NVLD, dyscalculia, OCD, and autism, our family has lived—and continues to live—across the neurodiverse spectrum. Add in the bold brilliance of our daughter Zuri and the excitement of preparing for baby Kai’s arrival, and you’ve got a home that’s constantly in motion. Some days are filled with laughter. Others stretch our patience and our faith. Most are both. What grounds us is our deep love for our children and our belief that they—and all children—deserve to be seen, supported, and celebrated.
When we moved from Brooklyn to Charlotte during the pandemic, the systems and supports we once leaned on disappeared overnight. We were suddenly navigating unfamiliar terrain, trying to rebuild a sense of belonging for our family in a world that often expects kids like ours to fit into narrow boxes.
We didn’t find what we needed. So we created it.
Keystone Spark Academy wasn’t built from a business plan. It was built from lived experience—equal parts frustration and fierce love. We knew that if we were feeling unseen, isolated, and overwhelmed, other families were too. We knew the difference it makes to feel understood. We knew we couldn’t wait for the system to evolve—we had to be part of the change.
As Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, I (Andrea) bring both heart and hard-earned experience to this work. With a background in media strategy, project management, and branding, I lead KSA’s vision with a focus on innovation, empathy, and impact. As a mother, I’ve walked the same road as the families we serve. I know what it feels like to fight for your child to be understood.
Marc, my partner in life and in this mission, serves as Co-Founder and Chief Development and Communications Officer. He leads with clarity and care, drawing on a background in communications and business development to grow our community and expand our reach. Marc has an unmatched ability to build trust—whether he’s speaking with parents, funders, or educators—and his people-first approach is foundational to how we move our mission forward.
We’re not perfect parents. We’re not polished professionals with all the answers. We’re real people doing our best, just like the families we serve. That’s why KSA isn’t just a nonprofit. It’s a community. A commitment. A spark.
You belong here if you’re a parent looking for a safe place to land. We welcome you if you’re a donor, partner, or advocate ready to invest in lasting change. And if you’re still figuring out where you fit in this story, there’s room for you, too.
With gratitude,
Andrea & Marc