Kevin has a life-long passion for advocating for the “unseen, unknown, and unheard”. He deeply believes that life is an adventure and loves guiding and mobilizing teams to see the greatness in themselves and others.

He has been part of the Elevate model for more than 20 years and spent over a decade working daily as a Teacher Mentor with students in Denver. Kevin now serves as CEO, where he stewards a growing affiliation committed to a national culture of “best practice” and innovation.

As a first generation undergraduate and graduate degree holder, Kevin models for students that education and character are two essential vehicles for thriving. The vision of generations of thriving leaders is embedded in his calling at work and at home. Kevin loves being with his family (two young men, and wife) and doing any kind of adventure experience with them.

John has spent more than two decades working in the youth services industry focused on providing opportunities so they can reach their full potential. He began working with youth in Denver at Colorado UpLift and has been serving economically disadvantaged communities in America since 2001. He puts his energy into building the infrastructure that is conducive for organizational growth and scale. He believes that the only way to see the vision realized is by hiring, retaining and growing talent that enters the organization.

When John isn’t on a whiteboard with Kevin, he is either playing drums in the band with his dad, spending time with his son, or fly-fishing on the river.

Kevin Singleton is a Grammy Award winning songwriter, cross cultural musician, nonprofit youth development mentor and social entrepreneur. In 2009, Kevin founded Elevate New York, located in the poorest congressional district in America. Through Elevate, he has raised and invested over $4 million into NYC Community School District 8.

Remaining active as an Elevate New York board member, Kevin recently joined the Elevate USA national team as a VP of Leadership and Development. He is also a co-founder of Trellis, a nonprofit that supports Kevin’s personal mentoring efforts with musicians and inner-city youth. Whether it’s through basketball, mentorship or music, his life and work unfolds at the intersection of leadership, teaching, and inspiration.

Krista has spent her career developing and empowering young leaders - much of that time using the outdoors! Krista’s desire to equip and educate children led her to launch an international Christian school in the Dominican Republic and serve as both Executive Director and Headmaster of the Doulos Discovery School. Doulos was the first international school to implement the innovative teaching methods of Expeditionary Learning. Prior to that, she helped launch Pico Escondido, a Young Life camp in the DR. She is a social entrepreneur who keeps looking for the next adventure.

Krista lives in Evergreen, CO with her husband and border collie, Blue. When she’s not teaching, you can find her on her bicycle or coffee farm in the Dominican Republic.

Born and raised in Denver, Adam’s family is rooted 500 years in Colorado and New Mexico. Red chile and New Mexican “corridos” (songs which tell stories) are important staples of his childhood. Family roots and strong relationships are at the heart of all he does, because the root-system of a tree is just as deep as the tree itself.

Adam has a passion for creativity through art and music. Adam saw his life as a blank canvas, and has spent his time – both personally and professionally – making it into a masterpiece. From planning youth conferences as a teenager, to mentoring younger students, Adam has spent his entire career in youth mentorship, serving 10 years at Colorado UpLift (Elevate’s founding affiliate). All of this led to the important work he is able to do each and every day with Elevate USA, launching and supporting affiliates around the nation.

Rhonda comes to Elevate with more than 25 years of experience in research, academic planning, training development and curriculum design. She is a gifted educator who has been recognized as a Master Scholar from the University of Denver (2009), Educator of the Year at Aurora Public Schools (2017), and received the University of Denver Robin Morgan Outstanding Woman Award which recognizes women staff, faculty, students, and alumna who have gone to exceptional lengths to promote an empowering environment for women at DU.

When she is not evaluating the Elevate program’s quality and effectiveness, she is probably painting something beautiful (her first language), relaxing on a boat with her husband, or watching cheesy romantic movies.

Pamela comes to Elevate with more than 15 years of experience with one Elevate’s founding affiliate, Colorado UpLift, where she held many leadership roles. She most recently served as a Development Director and mentor in Las Vegas with an organization helping victims of human trafficking.

Pamela has a story similar to many of the students in Elevate and knew at a young age that she wanted to work with kids and wanted to be a child psychologist, as well as a mother. She nailed the mother role and today, Pamela’s biggest joy is time with her four sons, numerous grandchildren, countless former students, and dog Jax.

Richard’s professional journey began working in a field hospital in far western Nepal which had its start in serving leprosy patients.  His experience there launched a 40 year career in the arenas of organizational development, financial management and impact measurement. For the past twelve years he served as the VP of an international nonprofit developing social entrepreneurs in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Richard holds an undergraduate BA from the University of Colorado, an MABS from Dallas Theological Seminary, and an MSPH from the University of Missouri.

He still loves walking through mountains. He and his wife have hiked along the Continental Divide trail in most of Colorado and Wyoming. He looks forward to teaching his grandchildren how to fly fish and can be challenged any time on the racquetball court.

Emma has spent her career helping nonprofits better tell their story. She believes compelling storytelling is the single most powerful catalyst for change, and she is passionate about building teams to “make a dent in the universe”. She is forever thinking of innovative ways for branding, content, creative, and marketing strategy to move people into action. She has led successful rebrands for well-established organizations, launched widely influential campaigns, and served as Editor-in-Chief for a quarterly print magazine on leadership with a circulation of nearly 100,000 women.

Emma lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and Bernedoodle. When she’s not creating something for Elevate, you can find her coaching high school basketball, reading Harry Potter or making weekend plans she’ll later regret having made.

Lover of music, dance, and positive thinking. Lacey is a self-proclaimed troublemaker and class clown. She is a thriving alumni student of Colorado UpLift and a firm believer that no community or child should be without Elevate USA. Lacey is driven to show all children that you can come back from anything, it is never too late, and you are worth it. She graduated from Regis University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and a Minor in Human Resource Management. Bringing more than 15 years of service experience, Lacey provides Elevate affiliates with the highest level of service. Lacey married Colorado UpLift alumni student, Samuel Alvarez. Together they have four amazing boys: Samuel, Ezra, Sebastian, and Elijah. It is her honor to serve and be a part of the program that has helped shape the person she is today.

Debbi has spent her career designing, implementing and leading innovative programs for youth from under-served communities throughout the country. She is committed to the impact of strong relationships that inspire hope and change and she is committed to developing programs that are comprehensive enough to make significant, long-term impact.

Debbi lives in Arvada, Colorado with her husband, Richard. When she’s not hard at work on Elevate projects, you’ll find her in the baby pool in her backyard, jumping on the trampoline or at a local park with her grandchildren. If you don’t find her there, you may find her and Richard backpacking somewhere in the wilds along the Continental Divide Trail.

Jim Pocock comes to Elevate USA as the next step in his distinguished career in relationship development. As the President and Co-Founder of Elevate New England, Jim has firsthand experience seeing the impact Elevate can make in a community, which has inspired him to help bring Elevate to new cities. Throughout his career, Jim’s work has been helping professional executives develop personally and join together to work toward redeeming their communities. Most recently, Jim served as a major gift officer for a private liberal arts college. He has also served as a senior pastor in Connecticut, California and Massachusetts. Jim has degrees from Bucknell University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and lives in America’s oldest fishing port, Gloucester, MA.

Jack McGill has spent over forty years serving the nonprofit world. In 2008, he founded ELEVATE Orlando with the mission to equip urban youth to graduate with a plan for the future.

Before launching ELEVATE Orlando, Jack worked with the Christian ministry Cru and served as a campus minister for Auburn and Mississippi State, discipling college students. Jack also worked for Priority Associates, which is Cru’s ministry to develop the personal, professional, and spiritual life of professionals in the marketplace.

Jack graduated from Samford University and holds a Masters of Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Sheri, have three adult children and nine grandchildren. Today, Jack serves on the Board of Directors for ELEVATE Orlando and helps launch ELEVATE programs across the country.

Art Williams is a native of Denver, Colorado. He graduated from Denver North High School where the Elevate model (Colorado Uplift) originated. After college, he began leveraging a career focused on the development of youth ministry in underserved and ethnically diverse communities. Art comes to Elevate USA with an extensive leadership bio that includes, CEO of the iSSACHAR Center for Urban Leadership and Associate Regional Director with Young Life. Art is a key voice in many Urban Youth development circles. As Elevate USA's new Senior VP, Art will be a great fit in supporting Elevate USA’s expanded vision in launching and sustaining new and established affiliates in the Southwest region. Art is blessed with the love and lifetime partnership of his wife, Stacey, and their three beautiful daughters, Brooklyn, Amaya and Nizayla.

Ron’s business and leadership career spans over forty years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business. He operated a financial planning practice until 1991, when he purchased the family custom home building company. The firm won both local and national awards in his years as CEO. In 2012 he left the private sector and became VP of Ministry Expansion for a non-profit organization in Colorado. He also pastored a church in Colorado for four years. In addition to his work, he was a volunteer youth worker for 27 years. Ron is an experienced speaker, coach and trainer and is passionate about investing in others. He holds the designation of Certified Professional Leadership Coach. He enjoys the outdoors including hunting, fishing, and playing cowboy. Ron resides with his wife Lorene in Conifer, Colorado.

Marc was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. From as far back as he can remember, his life has been centered around music. From singing and playing in church, to vocal competitions in college, to traveling the world as a R&B national recording and later as a background singer for American Idol winner, Fantasia Burrino; music was everything. Today Marc spends his time loving his wife, his children, pastoring a church in the Jacksonville area, and helping people deal and heal from childhood trauma as a TBRI® Practitioner and Licensed Youth Mental Health First Aid Facilitator. A former member of the Elevate Jacksonville team for nearly 3 years, Marc now serves as the National Director of Community Collaborations for Elevate USA. Marc welcomes the challenges of helping to create long-term, life-changing relationships with other community collaborators that will help holistically meet the unique needs of youth around the country.

Dr. Gary Ewen has been practicing professional education since 1978. He is the Dean Emeritus of the School of Business and Leadership and Professor of Management and Leadership at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colorado. Gary served as a teacher and administrator at the elementary level before working in the aerospace industry as a corporate trainer. When not teaching in a CCU classroom, Gary is often teaching in the outdoors after starting the Outdoor Leadership program in 1994. As a former Orvis endorsed fly fishing guide, you can often find Gary out on a lake or stream enjoying quality time with the outdoors. Gary lives in Evergreen, Colorado with his wife Kim and their multiply disabled son, Travis. Gary and Kim have two grown daughters and three precious grandchildren.