Team

Glenn Harper has been a community activist for over 20 years working in Denver’s Jefferson Park and Sun Valley neighborhoods. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Sun Valley Community Coalition, is a member of the Denver Housing Authority’s Community Advisory Committee and serves on the Policy Council of Denver Great Kids Head Start. He has a passion to support children and families in his community. Glenn founded the Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center in 2014.

Nick Talarico is the Director of Operations at Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center, where he oversees both kitchen and community center operations with intention, care, and deep respect for the community the organization serves. Before joining SVKCC, Nick led operations at Enjoy AM Restaurant Group in Memphis. He later moved to Denver, inspired to transition into the nonprofit sector and use his hospitality experience to strengthen communities and create meaningful impact.

At SVK+CC, Nick is helping bring a new vision to life: building a social enterprise restaurant that will support the Kitchen’s work and offer fresh, affordable meals to the Sun Valley neighborhood. He believes in the power of food to bring people together and is proud to be part of a team that’s reimagining what community care can look like – one meal, one connection, and one neighborhood at a time.

Emma’s connection to food and community began early, shaped by a Colorado upbringing spent outdoors and around the table. After earning a degree in Biology and Global Development in Washington state, she joined AmeriCorps to manage an organic farm and lead community education on nutrition and environmental health in the Hood Canal region.

Drawn back to Colorado with a desire to deepen her impact, Emma pursued a Master of the Environment at CU Boulder, specializing in Sustainable Food Systems. There, she partnered with Hunger Free Colorado to evaluate the Food Pantry Assistance Grant, working to strengthen local food equity through community-driven solutions.

Emma first joined Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center as Program Manager, leading youth, food access, and holistic health programming. Now, as Development & Marketing Manager, she oversees fundraising, donor engagement, and storytelling efforts that sustain and grow SVK+CC’s impact. She also serves as the Lead Facilitator for the Sun Valley Food Access Collaborative, working alongside local partners to build a more equitable and community-driven food system in Sun Valley.

For Emma, Sun Valley is the perfect place to merge her passions – building community, advancing food justice, and creating spaces where everyone can thrive.

Josh brings over a decade of culinary experience to Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center, where he leads with creativity, calm, and care. His background spans some of Denver’s most respected kitchens, including French 75, Russell’s Smokehouse, and Spice Trade Brewing, where he rose quickly into leadership roles and developed a reputation for building strong, skilled teams.

Josh is passionate about creating food that feels both exciting and comforting. He’s developed seasonal menus across a range of cuisines, from French and Mediterranean to BBQ and Japanese, and thrives in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Whether he’s guiding youth through basic kitchen skills or mentoring team members during a busy lunch service, Josh brings focus, heart, and deep respect for the craft of cooking.

Dr. Sofia Chavez is a Board-Certified Doctor of Natural Medicine and Master Herbalist, through the American Naturopathic Medical Association DNM. She received the Outstanding Woman’s Award for her Community Health Education classes in 2010 from Metro State University and Pillar of The Community Award from Denver Health in 2017. She is a member of The International Collaboration of Indigenous Healers, Curanderos, Sanadores y Shamans which originated in Tepotzlan Mexico – University of Morelos. Sofia is a Community Liaison for Denver Health Southwest Denver Pena Clinic supporting all patients, especially Spanish speaking. Her focus is Community Health, specifically addressing health disparities and access to care for underserved populations.

As a Colorado native and recent graduate from the University of Colorado Denver with a Bachelor’s degree in Management and International Business, Amabel has gained valuable experience working with World Wide Events, a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for children. Additionally, Amabel has mentored CU Denver students, helping them achieve academic success and develop emotional intelligence. Currently, Amabel is excited to be part of the Sun Valley Community and Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center, where she is focused on reaching out to local youth and fostering a supportive environment for their growth and development. Beyond her professional pursuits, Amabel is passionate about the outdoors and staying active. She enjoys attending various events, including sports and music, and has a deep interest in traveling, which allows her to explore diverse cultures and perspectives. This enthusiasm for community engagement and cultural understanding is something she brings to her role at Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center, where she applies her experiences to foster connections and support local youth.

Our youth employees are the next generation of Sun Valley leaders. Most youth begin with us as early as age 8 in other community programming and transition into employment roles at 14, often staying engaged through high school graduation and beyond. Through our Youth Employment & Professional Development Program, they support core initiatives like the No-Cost Grocery Program, youth dinners, and food distributions, while building skills in leadership, food safety, and professional growth. Some serve on our Board of Directors, others represent Sun Valley as youth ambassadors with Denver Sister Cities International, and some are community artists, leading creative projects like our neighborhood storytelling collaboration with History Colorado. Our youth employees are not just gaining experience – they’re shaping the future of Sun Valley through service, leadership, and art.