As a nonprofit agency, we have a policy and governance board of directors emphasizing serving through values, vision, and empowerment. Under current board bylaws, board membership is limited to at least seven and at most 15 persons serving staggered terms. Roughly 40% of our Board of Directors includes individuals in service and/or family members of those in services.
Kristin Hoover
President
Kristin is the COO and co-founder of Bold Font Coaching & Consulting in cultivating culture and transforming leaders. She is passionate about working with clients and veterans to boldly live with purpose and clarity in all chapters of life.
Kristin served 20+ years as a negotiator and educator in the US Air Force. Kristin deployed globally three times and managed multi-billion dollar portfolios helping to rebuild nations and stimulate local economies while supporting international coalition forces. She proudly served as an Associate Professor and Commandant of Cadets at The Citadel and feels strongly about growing leaders at all levels.
She hails from a proud Air Force family dedicated to public service. Her father flew and retired as a C-130/141 navigator, her mother was a teacher for 30+ years, her brother flew and retired as a cargo pilot, and her husband served as a Security Forces officer.
Kristin graduated from the USAF Academy and has earned two Master’s degrees and her CPCC coaching certification. She’s an active member of this Board and loves speaking for veteran groups and at college to elementary school forums. She and her husband co-host community groups for the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association and Special Olympics Junior Olympics. They have two dynamic boys: Jacob (who receives services from Developmental Pathways) and Bodhi. They love living with the sun on their faces and wind at their backs while exploring the nooks and crannies of Colorado, especially in their retro VW pop-top camper van.
Don Toussaint
Vice President
Don Jesse Toussaint is a county court judge in Arapahoe County. Prior to his appointment, Judge Toussaint served as a district court magistrate judge for the Eighteenth Judicial District for one and a half years and as an assistant city attorney for Aurora for five years. Judge Toussaint was also an associate for White and Steele, P.C. Judge Toussaint earned his B.A in English Technical Writing from the University of Colorado Denver, a Master of Science degree in Management from Regis University, and a J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Judge Toussaint is the youngest of four sons. He was born and raised in East Orange, New Jersey, by Haitian parents and lived briefly in northern Virginia. Judge Toussaint moved to Aurora in 1991 and graduated from Overland High School in 1993. During this time, his interest in law materialized when he became one of the first teen court attorneys in Aurora. Judge Toussaint has been married to his wife, Dr. Sue-Lin Toussaint, for 20 years, and they are raising their two children, Julia and Ellis.
Nancy Sharpe
Treasurer
Nancy Sharpe served as Commissioner representing District 2 with Arapahoe County. As Commissioner, Nancy oversaw the human services, finance, and human resources departments. She chaired the Colorado Counties, Inc. Health and Human Services Steering Committee and was vice chair of the National Association of Counties Human Services and Education Steering Committees. She also served as a Governor appointee on the Colorado Executive Leadership Council on Child Welfare.
In 2014, Nancy partnered with 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler to start Not One More Child in Arapahoe County, a coalition of community partners working together to prevent child abuse and neglect in Arapahoe County. Nancy represented the County’s interests on the Denver South Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors, C-470 Policy Committee, Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority Board, Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority, and the High Line Canal Trail and Cherry Creek Basin Working Groups. She also served on the Arapahoe County Housing Authority, Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority, Denver South Transportation Management Association, and Urban Drainage and Flood Control District Board of Directors.
Mayre Lynn Schmit
Secretary
Mayre Lynn Schmit is delighted to be from Colorado. She enjoyed a career as a Registered Dental Hygienist in the Denver Metro area for more than three decades. Her multifaceted business took her past clinical duties to serve as Director of Dental Marketing and recreate theDental Recare Consultant role. Her practice-building strategies and love of dentistry led to the discovery of unidentified productivity, thus increasing revenues and client establishment within her original model. Such innovation resulted in sustainable programming and led her business to the recognition of “Best Dentist” in 5280 magazine during the last five years of her career.
As the mother of a wonderful young man with I/DD, she embraces the lives of all those served through the community of Developmental Pathways with genuine intention. She believes in the opportunity for growth as the cornerstone of success for each individual. In all its possibilities, career enrichment, independent living, and the development of meaningful relationships are but a few of the areas for which she expresses passion in her current work.
Abe Laydon
Commissioner
Abe Laydon was elected Douglas County Commissioner, District I, in November 2018 and began serving his first term in January 2019. Laydon’s top priorities as County Commissioner include cutting taxes, providing real transportation solutions, ensuring responsible growth, working collaboratively with law enforcement and the school board to make sure we have proven safety solutions ready and in place to protect our kids, and making sure we have clean and abundant air and water for generations to come.
As County Commissioner, Laydon seeks to collaborate with everyone in Douglas County – citizens, the press, business leaders, civic servants, and nonprofits – to deliver good things for the community. He has an open-door policy and invites the opportunity to connect with all constituents and collaborators.
In addition to his fundamental responsibilities as a County Commissioner, Laydon also serves as a representative of Douglas County, by way of Board appointment, to the following area organizations: Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority Board, Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Investment Board, Centennial Airport Community Noise Roundtable, Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Control Authority, Community Services Block Grant Tripartite Board, Developmental Pathways Board of Directors, Douglas County Community Foundation, Douglas County Youth Initiative Advisory Board, and the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation.
Carrie Warren-Gully
Carrie Warren-Gully is serving her second term as Commissioner, representing District 1 of Arapahoe County. She serves as the Board’s Chair for 2023. As Commissioner, Carrie is the internal liaison for the Attorney’s and Commissioners’ offices and the Human Services department. Carrie represents the County’s interests on various boards and committees, including the Arapahoe County Board of Social Services, Boundary Control Commission, Housing Authority, and the South Metro Denver Chamber Board of Directors.
Carrie’s goals are to represent all the citizens of her district and to listen to their individual, diverse and collective needs because the decisions we make today will impact our quality of life for generations to come. Arapahoe is one of the fastest-growing counties in Colorado, and while that growth means increased economic opportunity, it also presents a host of challenges.
Carrie will focus on continuing to promote the expansion of access to mental health care, from our teens to our families to our more mature citizens; supporting our local businesses to grow and compete in an ever-changing world; encouraging new and forward-thinking transportation infrastructure; and working on creating more affordable and accessible housing for all residents of Arapahoe County.
Carrie has a master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver and a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and Political Science from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. Her career path has involved working in a behavior studies lab at Denver University, running a bed and breakfast, and eventually landing in the conservation non-profit arena. Carrie served on the Littleton Public Schools Board of Education for seven years, and she started Books to Life, an audiobook production company, in 2014.
Born and raised in Englewood, CO, Carrie is passionate about the great outdoors. She and her husband, Jim, have three boys that attended Littleton Public Schools, and they spend much of their family time skiing, hiking, backpacking, and camping.
Lois Vaughan
Lois is a Reading Specialist for the Cherry Creek School District. She has over twenty-five years of experience in the field of education. Lois has been an educator in several school districts, including districts in Orange Park, Florida and Coronado, California. Lois received many awards and accolades in her role as an educator. The highest honor being representing her school district as Teacher of the Year.
Lois holds degrees from the University of North Florida as well as a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado, a summa cum laude graduate.
Lois has two daughters and two grandchildren, one who receives services from Developmental Pathways. Aside from spending time with family, Lois enjoys hiking, reading, collecting children’s literature, and volunteering her time in support of others
Adam Horney
Adam Horney has been involved with Developmental Pathways since he was a teenager. Aside from Adam’s involvement as a Board Member, he also enjoys attending social events held by Developmental Pathways and Continuum of Colorado, a local PASA.
Adam is currently employed at The Arc Thrift Store in the Customer Service Department. Adam has an incredible work ethic, particularly made known after being recognized as “Employee of the Month.”
In his free time, Adam is a dedicated volunteer for the Denver Police Department, and is a tutor for Whiz Kidz through Colorado Community Church. He also enjoys spending time with his family. Adam was also the inspiration for Adam’s Camp, a camp for kids and teens with special needs based at Snow Mountain Ranch in beautiful Granby, CO. Adam’s mother Karel was the founder of Adam’s Camp. In turn, Karel was Adam’s inspiration in becoming the strong advocate he is today.
Michaela McDonnell
Dr. McDonnell is an Iowa native who has called Denver home for almost 30 years. She is a Board Certified Dermatologist, operating her private practice in Lakewood since 1988. Dr. McDonnell’s professional interests include skin cancer screening, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, acne, eczema, psoriasis, and alopecia in addition to various cosmetic and surgical procedures. She is a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Academy of Dermatology, Colorado Dermatologic Society (past President), Iowa Dermatologic Society, Arapahoe Medical Society, and Colorado Medical Society.
Dr. McDonnell has four teenage children: three daughters and one son who is served by Developmental Pathways. She enjoys spending time with her family skiing, hiking, traveling and being a huge supporter of her children’s athletic and academic endeavors. In her spare time, she is also an avid runner competing in the Boulder Bolder and several other local races alongside her family.
Monique Peyton
Monique is a “military brat” born in Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado. She’s lived in various places, in Greece, Japan, Utah, and has visited Germany and Hawaii.
She’s a graduate of Eaglecrest High School and earned a letter jacket from years of dedication and hard work in Special Olympics. Her favorite sport is basketball. She continued her education taking a few classes at the Aurora Community College.
She’s received services from Developmental Pathways for 17 years and in 2008 moved into her own apartment providing the independence she desired. Her experience, with her benefits, has guided her when she’s assisting her Service Agency with interviewing potential employees, whom will be working with other clients.
Monique takes pride in her hard work ethic. She is currently looking for a job, but has enjoyed her previous jobs especially at Barnes and Noble.
She loves camping, hiking, and bowling. Her goal is to be happy and live just as other people do.
Daniel Sampson
Jenn Conrad
Chris Erickson
A native of Iowa and Colorado resident for more than 18 years, Mr. Erickson resides in Lone Tree. As EVP & Regional Manager of Pacific Western Bank’s Colorado Commercial Real Estate team, Mr. Erickson is responsible for expanding the bank’s presence with established real estate developers and investors seeking commercial real estate loans throughout the Rocky Mountain region. An industry veteran of 20+ years, Mr. Erickson holds a BA in finance from Central College in Pella IA.
Michelle Kroeger
Michelle is the CFO for the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration located in Centennial, CO. Her previous employment was the CFO at Beacon Group in Tucson, AZ whose mission is to create opportunities for people with disabilities.
After moving to Colorado Michelle began looking for volunteer opportunities in the world of I/DD. She began helping out with The All-Stars Club, which provides a place of belonging centered on fun, friends and faith for friends with developmental disabilities, all while parents and caregivers are given the opportunity for respite.
Through a connection made at a conference Michelle was introduced to Developmental Pathways after expressing an interest to serve on a board that serves the I/DD population.
When not working or volunteering Michelle enjoys spending time with her two adult children and exploring all that Colorado has to offer. She loves skiing, hiking and biking.