Our Team
Kathleen Gniady is an artist, educator, and entrepreneur whose life has been shaped by a deep connection to painting—especially the delicate, timeless art of china painting. From an early age, Kathleen found joy in the precision and beauty of brushwork on porcelain, a passion that led her to open Kathleen’s China Cellar in Chicago.
Her studio quickly became more than just a workspace; it was a gathering place for creativity, mentorship, and community. Kathleen taught many of the same students for over 30 years, fostering a uniquely close-knit and enduring group. Under her guidance, generations of artists refined their craft, shared stories, and celebrated the artistry of hand-painted china.
The image above captures the warmth and intimacy of Kathleen’s teaching environment—where the joy of learning was as vibrant as the plates and figurines her students decorated.
In 2017, Kathleen relocated to San Diego, but her legacy in Chicago lives on through the lives she touched and the art that continues to grace the homes of many.
Kathleen Gniady Founder & Chairwoman
Kristin Fox is the President and Co-Founder of Forbidden Fruit Company, a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the worlds of life sciences, healthcare, and fine art. With a professional background in financial consulting and a specialty in healthcare valuation, Kristin brings a strategic, analytical perspective to a mission rooted in creativity, community, and connection.
Her journey toward founding FFC was inspired by both professional insight and personal legacy. After years spent navigating the complexities of healthcare and business, Kristin came to recognize the often-overlooked synergy between the scientific and artistic realms. This realization, combined with a lifelong admiration for her mother—artist and entrepreneur Kathleen Gniady—ignited a vision to create something transformative.
In 2023, Kristin and her mother formally launched Forbidden Fruit Company to honor fine arts, elevate underserved voices, and spark cross-disciplinary dialogue about the future of healthcare. As President, Kristin leads with purpose and vision, ensuring that FFC stays true to its mission: to make a lasting impact by fostering creativity, compassion, and innovation in the communities it serves.
