We recently had the chance to connect with Kylie Quintana and have shared our conversation below.
Kylie , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I grew an attachment to musical theatre in elementary school, and it’s stayed with me ever since. I went to a performing arts middle school, so music became a big outlet for me. As I moved through my teenage years, I strayed away from it for a while, but now I find myself coming back to it in new ways. Singing and playing music let me escape the rush of everything else and remind me of who I am at my core.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kylie Quintana, and I am a co-founder and board member of Kyan’s Kause, a non-profit drowning prevention foundation established in honor of my younger brother, Kyan. I am also a senior at the University of Miami, double majoring in Political Science and Psychology with a minor in Business Law, and currently serve as the Student Body Vice President.
I am the oldest of five siblings—Kylie, Kyle, Kyan, Kode, and Khloe. In June 2013, our world changed forever when Kyan passed away in a drowning accident in our backyard. Just a month later, my parents turned their grief into action and founded Kyan’s Kause. What began as a way to keep Kyan’s name alive has grown into a mission that has touched thousands of families.
Through our swimming scholarship program, we raise funds to pair children with local swim schools, ensuring that no parent has to live through the heartbreak my family endured. To date, we’ve raised over $670,000 and provided swimming lessons for more than 6,500 children.
My journey with the foundation has grown alongside me. I started as a little girl handing out towels at our first fundraiser, but as I’ve matured, I’ve embraced leadership roles that allow me to honor Kyan’s memory more fully. In high school, I launched “Operation Lifesaver,” partnering with schools across Miami to bring CPR and first-aid training into classrooms. Later, during the pandemic, when traditional fundraising was impossible, I created a silent disco model—bringing joy to schools while raising funds, inspired by Kyan’s love of dancing.
My proudest achievement to date is the creation of the Kyan Quintana Aquatic Center, where children will learn to swim and grow in safety—all under Kyan’s name. My dream is to one day lead the foundation with my siblings, carrying forward what my parents built and giving children the chance that my brother never had.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My dad has been my greatest teacher when it comes to work. He started out as a teacher himself, later transitioning into the corporate world, but what I admire most is not his career trajectory, it’s his relentless dedication to his family.
When my parents left the security of the school system to start from scratch, it was an enormous risk. My dad worked tirelessly, often against all odds, to build a company that would not only provide for us but also create opportunities for thousands of other children through charter schools. From him, I learned that work is not just about personal ambition—it’s about sacrifice, resilience, and using your talents to lift others. His example is the compass I carry with me as I carve my own path.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Kyan’s passing shattered me. As the eldest, I felt I had failed in my most important role—to protect my younger siblings. That guilt lived inside me for years, quietly shaping who I was.
But over time, I realized that staying silent in my pain only dishonored Kyan’s memory. So instead, I began to transform that pain into purpose. Taking on a greater role within the foundation became my way of protecting other children in the way I couldn’t protect Kyan. My grief will never go away, but I have learned how to make it fuel something greater than myself.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
As a Cuban American, family is the heartbeat of everything I do. My culture has taught me that family is not just who you are related to—it’s the people who show up, love unconditionally, and walk through life beside you. That sense of unity, of lifting one another through joy and tragedy, is a value I protect fiercely. It grounds me and shapes every decision I make.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I’ve learned to recognize when I’ve reached the edge of what I know, and instead of seeing it as a weakness, I see it as an opportunity. I know I’m out of my depth when I meet someone who is better suited for a task or brings expertise I don’t have. And I don’t shy away from that truth.
My father always told me that a true leader never stops learning. To me, leadership is not about having all the answers, but about surrounding yourself with people who can teach you, challenge you, and push you to grow. Admitting when I’m out of my depth allows me to step back, listen, and evolve into a stronger version of myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kyanskause.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyanskause?igsh=YThkYnF2bHl6NjZl&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyliebquintana?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
