Alarmed by increases in school violence, youth depression and suicide, and the persistent failure of the education system to help children cope with increasingly stressful lives, Hawn began her Foundation in 2003, applying cutting edge scientific research to create education programs that support the social and emotional development of children. Working with leading neuroscientists, educators, psychologists and researchers, the Foundation developed MindUP ™ an evidence-based curriculum and teaching model for grades K-12 that provide tools to help children self-regulate and understand their own emotions, moods and behaviors; reduce stress and anxiety; sharpen concentration; increase empathy; and improve academic performance.

MindUP ™ is the signature program of The Hawn Foundation which is serving over five million children in the US, Canada, UK, Hong Kong, Australia, Serbia and Finland. The skills and the mindfulness practices that are being taught have helped our children improve learning and academic performance and learn valuable social and emotional skills that build personal resilience for a lifetime.

Hawn authored two best-selling books, a memoir A Lotus Grows in the Mud, in 2005 and in 2011, 10 Mindful Minutes, offering guidance on raising healthy, joyful and resilient children.  In 2015, Hawn released 10 Mindful Minutes: A Journal, a practical application to her last book, offering prompts and exercises to enhance the reader’s daily life through mindfulness practice.

Goldie has lived with and loved her partner Kurt Russell for 30 years and has four grown children, Oliver and Kate Hudson, Wyatt Russell and stepson Boston Russell. They have been blessed with five grandchildren. Hawn believes “children light the path to joy” and dedicated much of her life’s work to creating innovative solutions to help children thrive. Read Less ^