Team

Glenn Harper

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.

FOUNDER
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Nick Talarico

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.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
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Emma Welty

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.

DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING MANAGER
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Oracio "Chito" Guardado

Born and raised in Colorado, Oracio is deeply connected to the vibrant Southwest Denver community, especially Westwood, where he grew up as one of seven siblings. His lived experience taught him early on the power of connection, collaboration, and community. Oracio’s professional journey spans healthcare, banking, city government, and utilities – but it was the nonprofit world where he truly found his purpose. With an Associate of Arts degree and a background in Communications, he brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for building relationships and creating positive change.

As Program Manager, Oracio brings a unique blend of professionalism, empathy, and lived experience. He’s focused on building strong community relationships, and creating inclusive, welcoming spaces where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered.

PROGRAM MANAGER
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Josh Kim

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.

KITCHEN MANAGER
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Dr. Sofia Chavez

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.

HEALTH & WELLNESS COORDINATOR
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Amabel Bernabe

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.

YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR
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Soleil Jacquez

Soleil is a licensed social worker based in Denver, Colorado, with a Bachelor of Science in Integrative and Therapeutic Practices. She has been serving the Denver community since 2014, offering trauma-informed, holistic, and culturally responsive care. Soleil is licensed through DORA and certified in the NADA protocol, blending traditional and alternative healing approaches in her work.

With many years of experience as a case manager, Soleil is passionate about supporting individuals and families through life’s challenges. As a fluent Spanish speaker originally from El Paso, Texas, she plays a vital role in building communication and trust with the Spanish-speaking community in Denver.

Outside of work, Soleil finds her greatest joy in being a mom to three incredible kids. She currently serves as the Health and Wellness Assistant to Dr. Sofia Chavez at Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center, where she helps lead community-based healing initiatives rooted in cultural tradition, connection, and care.

HEALTH & WELLNESS ASSISTANT
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Our Youth Employees

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.

Back row (left to right): Jaray, Jorge, Dominic, Odie, Sam
Front row (left to right): Leo, Sam, Abdul, Timothy

Board of Directors

Aaron Martinez

Aaron has nearly 20 years of experience managing nonprofit organizations and programs focused on housing, sustainability, renewable energy and efficiency, and youth development. He is currently the Vice President of Operations and Sustainability for Urban Land Conservancy, a Denver-based nonprofit leading the way in preserving and creating affordable and equitable access to real estate.

PRESIDENT

Collin Edwards

Collin Edwards lives in Denver, CO with his wife Theresa. Collin currently works as a multifamily housing underwriter for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Originally from the Kansas City Metro, Collin attended the University of Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and Geography and continued on to receive a Master’s in Urban Planning. Prior to HUD, he worked in donor development at an international non-profit, as a financial analyst at the Illinois Housing Development Authority, and as a leasing and permitting specialist in the engineering consulting sector. Collin and Theresa began their partnership with the Sun Valley Kitchen and Community Center in 2018, volunteering at the children’s cooking classes. They continue to volunteer at SVK when able.

VICE PRESIDENT

Ashton Cortright

Ashton is an active CPA in the state of Colorado with 10 years of experience in the Accounting and Auditing industry. She presently works in financial regulation inspecting the audits of SEC-registrants. Her background includes experience in both corporate and non-profit worlds. Ashton serves as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center.

TREASURER

Daisy Wiberg

Daisy has dedicated her career to community building. From trash dump communities in Managua, Nicaragua, to the beautifully diverse community in Sun Valley, Daisy believes wholeheartedly in the power of investing in people and coming alongside them to help build strong, vibrant communities.

As the former Director of Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center, Daisy has a deep passion for the sustainability, growth, and impact of the organization. She is committed to the kids, families, and partnerships that have shaped SVKCC into a true community center.

Daisy currently resides in San Luis Obispo, CA, where she is the Homelessness Response Manager for the City of San Luis Obispo.

SECRETARY

Dan Metzger

Dan Metzger is Chief Operating Officer at Brinkman Real Estate, a Colorado-based commercial real estate investment and development firm founded in 2005. As COO, Dan is responsible for operational execution, real estate portfolio strategy and performance, and contributing to corporate initiatives and overall company strategy. Dan has been a member of the commercial real estate industry since 1998, and has a varied background in real estate finance, development and asset management.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Nicole Munoz

Nicole is a Colorado native whose career is focused on fundraising, non-profit technology and non-profit management. She received her degree from the University of Colorado Boulder. She has managed fundraising campaigns for some of the largest employers in the USA, Canada and Panama. One of the most rewarding aspects of this work for Nicole is being able to see the impact of her fundraising efforts. In her free time she enjoys traveling, skiing, hiking and enjoying Colorado’s great outdoors. She also spends time volunteering for non-profits in the Denver area and is a member of LatinasGives!

MEMBER AT LARGE

Natalie Schock, Ph.D.

Natalie is a learning and development expert with over 15 years of experience, including a PhD in education from Johns Hopkins University and terms of service through Teach for America and AmeriCorps. Specialties include needs analysis, content development (especially for online learning), training facilitation and evaluation.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Kayla Ferguson

Kayla was born and raised in Denver, and is proud to call this city home. She graduated from Pepperdine University (California) in 2012 with a degree in film and a minor in graphic design. From there she went on to work in freelance film production around Los Angeles, and ultimately landed at WME talent agency where she worked as an assistant to a television agent. Kayla left Hollywood to travel the world (26 countries in 12 months!) in 2015, and came back to Denver after that trip. Since then, Kayla has joined the non-profit sector, currently serving as a Senior Program/Grant Manager at the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s, a national foundation with headquarters in Colorado. During her time at the Foundation, Kayla has helped develop and launch three different community programs, most notably the Foundations grant programs that make both international and domestic investments in building Healthy Parkinson’s communities.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Carlos Maestas

Carlos was hired by the Sun Valley Kitchen in 2019 to help run the Sun Valley Kitchen restaurant. During this time, Carlos developed a strong relationship with Glenn and the Sun Valley community. Carlos worked at the Kitchen until the pandemic and volunteered his time thereafter. As many people did during this time, Carlos and his family faced extreme financial strain. With no money and facing eviction, Carlos decided to take a chance and founded Litto’s Fencing. With no tools and no experience, Carlos created a fence company by himself, becoming an entrepreneur. Currently, Littos Fencing has 4 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees. Carlos believes in hard work and investing in others. Carlos aspires to have to have the best fencing company in Colorado.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Pax Moultrie

Pax Moultrie is a Denver-based attorney with over 15 years’ experience. She has previously served on the board of Colorado’s Office of Child Protection Ombudsman, the Governor’s Executive Clemency Advisory Board, and the Center for Work, Education and Employment (CWEE).

MEMBER AT LARGE

Courtney Meihls

Courtney Meihls is a Denver-based strategic marketing and communications professional with more than 15 years’ experience in marketing, communications, public relations, brand management, graphic design, and crisis communications. Courtney is committed to working for good and building a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. She is currently the director of communications and public information at Denver’s Department of Finance.

MEMBER AT LARGE