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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Hey everyone! My name is Raquel Galvan and I am the COO at Kids at Their Best. I have worked in the nonprofit sector for the past eleven years sharing my expertise and lived experiences. I earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Human Resource Management in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2022.
I am passionate about helping others as I have seen the impact of our programs first hand. In my free time I enjoy cooking, reading, and traveling. I look forward to many more successful years of helping kids in my community!
Maria Galvan
Food and Community Coordinator
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Hey! Kids at Their Best supporters! I'm Maria Galvan, serving as the Food and Community Coordinator. My journey with KATB began in 2010 when I volunteered at the program. I have been in my current role for a year and a half.
I manage responsibilities such as overseeing our mobile food truck pantry, school pantries, and local pantries. I am also a SNAP Pea! I can help you with your SNAP application and share details about other resources.
Jennifer Walker
Financial Officer
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I’ve been a part of KATB in varying capacities since our very humble beginning nearly 2 decades ago & am honored to sit on the Board of Directors and serve as our Financial Officer.
In addition to working with KATB, I am the Operations Manager for Wolf Waste Removal & teach yoga classes locally.
Kenna Nelson
Food and Community Associate
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Hi my name is Kenna Nelson and I am a Food and Community Associate as well as an AmeriCorps Member. I have been the Kids at Their Best for around seven years and this program has had a lasting impact on me. This role has allowed me to have new experiences and opportunities. I love doing all things outdoors and traveling.
Mariam Mohammed
Food and Community Outreach Specialist​
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My name is Mariam Mohammed. I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. I speak four languages and I am hoping to learn more. I have been working with KATB for 6 years and a half.I am the Food and Community Outreach Specialist and an AmeriCorps member. I run the East African food pantry on the 4th Saturday of every month. I love working here because I am more involved with the community now. I will be going to school for Public Health and Education because I want to help my community learn how to make changes that will improve their well-being
Isaac Hall
Workforce Coordinator
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Hello everyone! My name is Isaac and I’ve finally found what excites me most: helping kids and giving back to the community. I’ve been able to combine a lot of my passions into one job. For example, I have a chance to get creative and help with art projects and making videos for KATB. I am the Workforce Coordinator - helping high schoolers and middle schoolers explore job and career opportunities in Fort Morgan. Need help writing a cover letter? Application? A college essay? Come find me! I’m happy to help.
Besides spending time with my wife and daughter in Wiggins, I enjoy pursuing my other passions such as drawing, archery, story writing, and animals. On the weekends you will most likely find me with my horses, ponies, dogs, and cats.
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.
Sarah Vicente
Student/ University of Northern
Colorado/ Board Member/Serving since 2022
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My name is Sarah Vicente, and I am a college student at the University of Northern Colorado. I am a double major in Music Education K-12 and in UNC's newest program, Latinx Music. I live in Greeley, Colorado with my partner Andy and I have a sweet dog and a cuddly cat. I also work at Skinner Music Library at the University. In my free time, I love to bake and cook, sunny days and going out to the mountains.
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.