Our Team
Jodi Walker
Founder/Executive Director
Jodi has never been afraid to take on controversial issues and has frequently used unorthodox approaches to bridge the cultural, economic, and generational challenges of her Eastern Plains community. Kids At Their Best, which she describes as her “soul work,” exemplifies the strength of her commitment to all children and all families. She has brought together immigrants from Mexico and South America, refugees from Somalia, with local children whose families have lived on the Eastern Plains for generations.
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Jodi is committed to addressing the huge disparities in children’s health and wellbeing based on their racial and socio-economic status, and is part of CYSHCNet Advisory Group, a national group of child health systems researchers, clinicians, and children’s organizations based at the University of Colorado/Children’s Hospital. She is also a member of It’s About Kids (IAK), the Colorado Children’s Campaign’s statewide, grassroots child advocacy network.
Jodi’s understanding of the complex interplay of major political, financial and distribution systems – and the impact at the local level - led to an invitation to serve to the Colorado Farm & Food Systems Response Team as it addressed the challenge of getting food to people during the pandemic. She also serves on the board of the statewide Community Resource Center, Morgan County Food Coalition, Youth Matters-Morgan County Youth Coalition and is a member of the state Americorps advisory group.
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Jodi overcame a traumatic brain injury to pursue her soul work on behalf of children and families. She and her husband run a 300 acre family farm in Wiggins, raising cows, chickens, occasional pigs and a host of other critters. Together, they have six children, one granddaughter and a 140lb, Great Pyrenees, grand puppy. When she is not working, she supports the work of the local volunteer fire department where her husband and children are firefighters, is a part of the American Legion Auxiliary, loves exploring the Colorado mountains, reading and sewing.
Meet The Team
Raquel Galvan-Renteria
Assistant Director
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I’ve worked for Kids at Their Best in different capacities over the last ten years. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Human Resource Management from Lincoln, Nebraska in 2022. I am very passionate about helping others through the different programs that we offer. Seeing the impact of our work first-hand is very rewarding.
Maria Yañez
Food and Community Specialist
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I have volunteered & worked for Kids At Their Best the last five years. I have 6 wonderful children that have benefited from the programs. I am very comfortable working with my coworkers, we make a great team.
Maria Galvan
Food and Community Specialist
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I have worked & volunteered for Kids At Their Best the last ten years. I also work as an Assistant Teacher in a Headstart Program.
Michelle Enriquez
Workforce Coordinator
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Michelle has been working and volunteering for Kids At Their Best for three years.
Bethleen McCall
Board Treasurer
Americorps VISTA Member
This could be you
Meet Our Board
The Kids At Their Best Board of Directors is filled with community members from all walks of life who are passionate about helping children to achieve their full potential.
David Bute
County Attorney/Morgan County/Board President /Serving since 2020
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Born Sept 27 1966 Wheeling West Virginia. I lived in Manhattan Kansas but was raised in Yuma Colorado since age 2. Yuma High School 1985 valedictorian. CU Boulder Anthropology degree 1989. Law degree CU Boulder 1994. Morgan County Dept Human Services attorney since 2001. Hobbies arrowheads, French horn, trombone, cribbage.
Andrew ROwell
Manager/Wiggins Farms/Board Member/Serving since 2020
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Andrew was raised in Nebraska farm country but soon found the adventures of Colorado to be his calling. After spending 6 years in Telluride, CO refining his back and front country skills, Andrew found himself in Wiggins, CO where he fell in love with KATB and their mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through education and opportunity. Andrew holds a bachelor's degree in finance & psychology from the University of Nebraska. Currently, when Andrew is not working you can find him climbing the peaks, rafting the rivers, chasing the elk, or SCUBA diving the world. He also enjoys sharing his love of the outdoors with his two boys.
Evin Moore
Executive Broker/Charles Schwabb/Board Vice President/Serving since 2012
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Evom joined the Kids at Their Best Board in 2012 and has held multiple positions on the leadership team. More importantly, he’s been nonstop inspired by the impact KATB accomplishes every day.
Mr. Moore has a number of roles outside of his board duties including the Executive Director and Founder of Burning Through Pages, a Denver-based at-risk youth literacy nonprofit, working as a Sr. Marketing Manager for Charles Schwab, and has over a decade of financial services experience, he also sits on the advisory board of Books to Kids, another youth-focused organization, and does no-cost nonprofit and small business consulting around the state.
Outside of his professional and volunteer life, Evin has a wonderful wife who said yes at a surprise wedding (she had no idea), two young children (Penelope and Ronan) and just one dog who’s an Okay-Dane (he’s not Great, just okay).
Pamela Thomas
Retired/Thrivent Financial Services/Ex Officio/Serving since 2006
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I was born and raised in Minnesota and attended Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, Minnesota. Our family camping trip when I was seven led me to promise myself that I would someday live in the mountains. Thirty-two years later I realized that dream when my husband and I moved to Colorado with our two children and I began working for Western Sugar in operations. That is where I met and became friends with Jodi Walker (Kids at Their Best Founder and Executive Director). In 2003, I changed careers and joined Thrivent Financial as a Financial Advisor. I retired from Thrivent and now spend full time in the mountains except for occasional forays into the city when it cannot be avoided and even more occasional trips back to Minnesota to visit family.
When Jodi formed a non-profit to provide enrichment to disadvantaged kids, she asked me to join the Board of Directors. That was in 2005, and I have been involved ever since. When I reached my term limit, I thought I "retired" but it didn't last, so here I still am. During that time, I have watched the organization grow and have been privileged to meet some phenomenal kids - who are now assuming the leadership positions we have nurtured them for. Kids at Their Best has worked wonders in the lives of so many kids and it is humbling to be a part of it.
Jennifer Walker
Operating Manager/Wolfe Waste/Board Secretary/Serving since 2020
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I am a Colorado native currently living in West Texas. I’ve been a part of KATB since the very beginning & am honored to sit on the Board of Directors. I manage a waste removal company in Morgan County and have worked to stay very connected to our communities & this opportunity is a perfect addition.
Aside from work & KATB I teach yoga, coach fitness classes & stay busy with my husband and 3 children.
Arnel Negranza
Environmental Engineer/Western Sugar/Board Member/Serving since 2022
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Arnel became involved with KATB when his son became an Americorps member. He brings to the table years of parenting experience as well as a cultural lens. His experience in science and his willingness to help teach others has been an asset to the team. He graduated with a Bachelor in Chemical Engineering from the University of CA at Davis, CA. When Arnel isn't working for KATB you can usually find him on the golf course or having a beer at a local brewery. He also loves spending time with his kids and grandkids.