Our Team
Founder & Executive Director
photo by SitPretty.com
Leslie Hughes Kennedy is the founder and Executive Director of the Barking Beauty Pageant. A former Ms. New York and star of NYCTV's Doggie Moms, she brings her expertise as a national emcee and host of the National American Miss Pageants to the stage along with her "doghter," SalliSue.
Productions
Greenwich, CT Director
Cheryl Farley and Maxx
Cheryl Farley is the CEO & Principal Broker of House of Maxx Real Estate… a boutique real estate firm she founded in 2017 after losing her adored Miniature Pincher, Maxx, to an aggressive form of canine cancer. As avid dog lovers, Cheryl and her team donate a percentage of the firm’s annual revenue to non-profit animal organizations. Cheryl resides in Greenwich, CT and Palm Beach, FL with Maxx’s sister siblings, Skyy & Storm.
Denver, CO, Directing Team
Becky Franzen is a wife, mother, dog mom, pageant mom and talent agent; while being a full-time career woman as a Benefits Manager. She attended Central Michigan University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management. She married the love of her life Kurt in 2007, and welcomed Ava into the world on January 16, 2010.
Ava Franzen, the National American Miss Parker Jr. Teen, is a beautiful, spunky, servant-hearted young lady who enjoys learning, modeling, pageantry and riding her dirt bike. But her love for animals gave her the inspiration to create her platform “Perfect Cause 4 Paws” to raise funds and awareness to end pet homelessness and animal suffering.
With Becky and Ava’s volunteer spirit it allows them to spend quality time together while co-directing the pageant and serving to send a message within their community that a good heart can make compassion go a long, long way.
Co-Directors, Becky & Ava Franzen
Co-Director & Denver Pageant Co-Host, Ava Franzen, Miss Parker NAM and Theo, the Inaugural Denver Barking Beauty
