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. He now serves as a board member for Fostering Hope, a local nonprofit that assists foster parents and disadvantaged children. A former Ironman Triathlon World Championships competitor and elite amateur road cyclist, Kevin now challenges himself outside of work with ultramarathons exceeding 100 miles in distance. He has two teenage children, volunteers at the Humane Society and is currently looking to adopt another rescue dog after recently losing his beloved boxer Baxter, known to frequent the halls of Special Kids Special Families facilities in search of treats and back scratches.
Dee Nyamieh Walker, PhD
Senior Director of People & Policies
Dee Nyamieh Walker, PhD
Senior Director of People & Policies
Dee who originally comes from Liberia, West Africa, serves as the Senior 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
Senior Director of Operations & Compliance
Michele Peters
Senior Director of Operations & Compliance
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 Senior 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
Senior Director of Development & Communications
Derek Wilson, MEd
Senior Director of Development & Communications
Derek serves as the Senior 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.
Dionna Lanich, BSW
Adult Services Director
Dionna Lanich, BSW
Adult Services Director
Dionna started with Special Kids Special Families in February 2013 as the Joey’s Place Program Coordinator and was promoted to Adult Services 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.
Susy Tucker
Child Placement Agency Director
Susy Tucker, BS
Child Placement Agency Director
Susy grew up traveling the world as a missionary kid and knew by age four she wanted to run an orphanage. After returning to the U.S. in high school, she earned a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies from John Brown University. For over 30 years, Susy has dedicated her career to child welfare in Colorado, serving in roles such as Foster Home Supervisor, Program Manager, Director of Foster Care, and Investigator for the State’s Division of Child Welfare. She’s also worked in quality assurance for residential and placement agencies. Susy is a proud mom of three sons. Her oldest, Zach, was diagnosed with autism, and she became a passionate advocate — even partnering with the Colorado Department of Corrections to bring home an autism service dog named Clyde, who supported Zach through school and life. Inspired by that journey, Susy and her sons went on to train and donate two rescue dogs as emotional support animals. Now an empty nester, Susy lives with her partner, Elton, and their rescue dog Winny. She enjoys the outdoors and hopes to continue training support dogs — possibly in foster or host homes.
Bill Carroll, MEd
Zach’s Place Director
Bill Carroll, MEd
Zach’s Place Director
Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Bill brings a deep passion for education, leadership, and community to his role as Director of Zach’s Place. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University.
His professional journey began in special education at a charter school in Flagstaff, followed by a volunteer teaching experience in Jamaica in 2010. He then taught elementary school in Phoenix before returning to Flagstaff, where he stepped into school leadership and became an elementary school principal in 2015. In 2022, he and his family relocated to Colorado Springs, where he continued his work as an elementary principal. Most recently, he served as a director for an assisted living facility, an experience that deepened his commitment to compassionate, people-centered leadership. Now, he’s thrilled to return to his roots in education and serve the children and families of Zach’s Place.
Outside of work, Bill enjoys life with his wife, Teresa, and their four energetic boys: John, Andrew, Thomas, and Peter. He loves playing board games with his family and unwinding with basketball, disc golf, and traditional golf.
Gearolyn George
Behavioral Health Supervisor
Gearolyn George
Behavioral Health Supervisor
Gearolyn (aka “G.G.”) George, has over three years of experience in the behavioral health field. She is a dedicated and results-driven supervisor specializing in team leadership and program management. Skilled in overseeing a multidisciplinary team of Case Managers, G.G. excels in providing support, guidance, and strategic directions to ensure high-quality service delivery. Her approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment that prioritizes both the well-being of clients and the professional development of staff. In addition to managing caseloads and coordinating care, G.G. is committed to continuous improvement through training, mentoring, and advocating for mental health resources. With a compassionate and empathetic leadership style, G.G. is passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of individuals and the effectiveness of the care provided. She is experienced in handling complex behavioral health cases, maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
Shkak Yousuf, BCS
Transportation & IT Manager
Shkak Yousuf, BCS
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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