Meet Our Leaders
Kevin Porter, MBA
Executive Director
Kevin Porter, MBA
Executive Director
Kevin has proudly spent most of his career helping at-risk and marginalized populations. He’s been advocating for the underserved in the Pikes Peak region in various capacities for the past 15 years. With close to 25 years of leadership experience, Kevin brings extensive non-profit and healthcare experience in operations, strategy, project oversight, business development, communications, marketing, and fundraising. Kevin has an MBA from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and a bachelor’s degree from Radford University in Virginia. He was past President of Pikes Peak Public Relations Society of America and a past Board Member for the nonprofit Kids on Bikes. A former Ironman Triathlon World Championships competitor and Cat 2 road cyclist, Kevin now challenges himself outside of work with ultramarathons exceeding 100 miles in distance. He has two teenage children and a beloved boxer named Baxter known to frequent the halls of Special Kids Special Families facilities in search of treats and back scratches.
Dee Nyamieh Walker, PhD
Director of People & Policies
Dee Nyamieh Walker, PhD
Director of People & Policies
Dee, who originally comes from Liberia, West Africa, serves as the Director of People & Policies. In this role, Dee is responsible for strategic human resources planning, and provides leadership over all Human resources functions of the organization. Dee brings to SKSF over 15 years of experience in leading diverse cross-cultural and cross-functional teams in the corporate, academic, and faith communities. Dee has a wealth of executive leadership experience both locally and globally helping organizations in people and process development that prioritizes engaging, enabling, and enhancing a robust employee life cycle. Dee holds a PhD in Education from Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL. Dee has taught at four universities in the USA, including DePaul, Colorado Christian, Regis, and his Alma Mater, Trinity International. Dee also served as VP for Administration and Academic Affairs at three universities in Liberia, West Africa. He was the Global Staff Development Director at Compassion International for nearly four years. Dee currently serves as an Affiliate Faculty in the Graduate program for non-profit management at the Anderson School of Business and Computing, Regis University in Colorado. Dee is a soccer enthusiast and is a “religious” fan of Arsenal Football Club in the English Premier League and has coached soccer in Liberia, Kenya, Illinois, and Colorado. Dee enjoys walking, reading and, and considers himself as a life-long learner.
Michele Peters
Director of Operations
Michele Peters
Director of Operations
Michele has umbrella responsibilities and direct oversight of the five programs within the SKSF Organization. Michele works closely with the Executive Director to ensure that each program is in compliance with government regulations and finance processes. She is also responsible for the oversight and facilitation of the agency’s various audits, validations, and licensures. Michele has been with the organization since January 2021 where she held the role of Finance Manager. She has since been promoted to Director of Finance and from there to her current position, Director of Operations. Previously Michele worked for Meadow Gold Dairy from 1997 to 2021, however, prior to entering the workforce, Michele was a foster parent. When not at work, Michele really enjoys spending time with her family and her 3 grown children and 5 granddaughters.
Derek Wilson, MEd
Director of Development & Communications
Derek Wilson, MEd
Director of Development & Communications
Derek serves as the Director of Development and Communications at SKSF, where he focuses on enhancement of mission resources through relationship building, marketing, and team member development. Prior to coming to SKSF, Derek was the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) for Silver Key Senior Services. There he was responsible to set, facilitate, and guide key strategic initiatives that impacted the entirety of the organization. Specifically, he effectively communicated, developed, executed, and sustained strategic initiatives in collaboration with the leadership and development/marketing teams. Derek managed the Resource Development and Volunteer team that included the organization’s fundraising, marketing, volunteer, and grant-writing activities. Other roles held recently; Donor Relations Director for the Southern Colorado Region of The Salvation Army primarily responsible for major gifts. Prior to that, Derek was Director of Extended Studies at the Helen and Arthur E Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences at UCCS. Derek holds a BS in Political Science and a Masters in Educational Leadership, both from Northern Arizona University. Derek is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Pikes Peak (LPP), a civic leadership program for the Pikes Peak region. Additionally, Derek serves on several local boards (YMCA, Tri-Lakes Cares), and was a nominee for the LPP Leading the Way award (’22), and a nominee for the Senior Resource Council Joe Henjum Business Professional of the Year (’22). Derek was a Realtor (2001-2007), is an instructor at UCCS (2016-present), is a father to 2 sons (18 and 16) and little dog (Quinn), loving husband to his wife Jaici, and enjoys movies, games, music, golf, hikes, skiing, and extraordinary conversations.
Krista Ingram, MS
Zach’s Place Program Director
Krista Ingram, MS
Zach’s Place Program Director
Krista comes from the beautiful island of Maui. She is a mother of 9 children with a Master’s degree in the Study of Human Behavior. She’s worked in the field of teaching, childcare and within the special needs community for over 8 years. Krista truly believes that it DOES TAKE A VILLAGE, and she’s willing and eager to be a part of your village.
Dionna Lanich
Adult Services Director
Dionna Lanich
Adult Services Director
Dionna started with Special Kids Special Families in February 2013 as the Joey’s Place Program Coordinator and was promoted to Director in 2020. She graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Dionna has been working with people with developmental disabilities for over 24 years. Outside of work, Dionna enjoys watching football, cooking, reading and spending time with her family.
Jimmy Browder
Child Placement Services Director
Jimmy Browder
Child Placement Services Director
Jimmy has been with our organization since 2017 and started off as a Foster Care Home Supervisor and the Lead Crisis Interventionist for the Foster Care team. Jimmy’s prior experience included working with juvenile offenders and adults in the Criminal Justice System. Jimmy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Outside of work Jimmy enjoys watching football, especially the Dallas Cowboys and spending time with his two children.
Frank Vega, MA, LMFT, CCTP
Behavioral Health Clinical Director
Frank Vega, MA, LMFT, CCTP
Behavioral Health Clinical Director
Frank is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist holding licenses in Colorado (MFT 1800), Arkansas, Kentucky and Texas and has worked in the behavioral health field for 30+ years. Receiving his Master’s in Family Psychology from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene Texas and his undergraduate from Union University in Jackson Tennessee. Currently serving as the Clinical Director for SKSF. Prior to transitioning to SKSF he served as the Director of the Acute Treatment Unit and overseeing the Colorado National Collaborative and Zero Suicide Grants for Health Solutions. Spending Most of his career he has worked with children in the foster care system. Before moving to Colorado in 2020, he served as the Director of Behavioral Health for a Federally Qualified Health Center serving the states of Arkansas and Kentucky and led the implementation of integrated care and medication assisted treatment programs in both states. Outside of work Frank enjoys spending time hunting, fishing, playing golf and hiking in the beautiful Colorado outdoors.
Richard Barros, MA
Adult Residential Program Director
Richard Barros, MA
Adult Residential Program Director
Richard joined the organization in 2024 and brings over ten years of experience serving the IDD population. He attended the University of Northern Colorado, where he received his Master’s in Educational Leadership.
Monica Wickersheim
Finance Manager
Monica Wickersheim
Finance Manager
Monica is responsible for the direct oversight of accounts receivable, accounts payable and rep payee. Monica is also the lead for all financial audits as well as providing any needed financial reports to the leadership team. She works closely with all program directors to ensure financial processes are consistent and efficiencies are considered. Monica became employed in her present position in August 2022. Prior to joining SKSF she was a hairstylist and worked for 22 years as an Accounting Coordinator for Meadow Gold Dairy. When Monica is not working, she likes spending time with her family and fur babies. Monica likes to hike and travel anywhere that has a beach. Monica is also excited that she will be a grandma for the first time in February.
Shkak Yousuf
Transportation & IT Manager
Shkak Yousuf
Transportation & IT Manager
Shkak holds a bachelor’s degree in computer programming. He started at SKSF as a mentor and moved into this key position in 2016. He manages and oversees the data systems within all facilities of the organization. In addition, he coordinates and oversees the transportation department, including a fleet of 16 vehicles. Shkak has been with the organization since June 2012. In his free time Shkak loves to go camping, hiking, attend anything aviation related and loves working on cars.
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