Board Member Since: 2018

Area of Expertise: Sales/Operations/Logistics

Erik’s Toy Story:

When I was growing up…as a normal little boy…toys did not last long as either they became buried/lost/destroyed…and not necessarily in that order. But…you were not a true kid in South Texas without your trustee Transformer action figure at your side. I remember fondly of staging wars with Optimus Prime and Bumble Bee against Luke Skywalker and Han Solo (Yes, it was not a fair fight)…but those toys and imagination helped make the great times even greater…and the not-so-great times pass by even faster. As I continued to get older, while the toys certainly changed from action figures…to bikes…etc., I never have forgotten those times when it was just me…a mound of dirt…and my toys.

Erik’s Background:

Coming from my hometown of Rockport, Texas….and learning early on that I had a small gift of being able to push people backwards in a little sport called Football, I attended college at Texas Tech University where along with playing football, I earned an undergraduate in Political Science. Upon continuing my post-graduate education in Business Administration/Marketing…I found my career home in the year 2000 with Safelite AutoGlass.

I began my career as an Account Manager building relationships with our clients in West Texas. After a few years, I moved with Safelite to Dallas-Fort Worth with a new leadership role as the Regional Sales Manager. Leading a team from 16 to 32 individuals across multiple states…I was offered an opportunity to re-locate with my family to the Great State of Colorado. Currently, I have the pleasure an honor working with outstanding/inspirational leaders and associates as the District Manager for Safelite AutoGlass in Denver.

Our purpose at Safelite is – “To Make a Difference, and Bring Unexpected Happiness to People’s Everyday Lives.” Being elected to the board for Dolls for Daughters® gives me and our organization the opportunity to really expand our purpose and work towards making a greater difference in our community.

My name is Chad Brady and I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. I am currently the Colorado South Area Retail Leader for KeyBank. I graduated Magna Cum Lauda from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in accounting. I have been fortunate enough to have had a supportive family and endless resources that have helped me become successful at a young age. I joined Kenzi’s Causes Board because I see the support and resources, they provide their families and their local community. Being part of an organization that supports those in needs is my way of paying forward all the support I received growing up.

I married my beautiful wife in 2017 and together we have two sons, Jaxson age 2 and Easton 6 months. We moved to Denver a year and half ago from Florida and we love exploring all that Colorado has to offer. I enjoy going hiking, playing golf and cheering on the Steelers.

I have worked at FirstBank 23 years and am currently the Director of Consumer Loan Processing.  I oversee many of the teams that conduct the daily operations for consumer lending at FirstBank.  I have been on the board for Kenzi’s Causes since February 2018 and love being a part of such a great organization!  I love to see the smiles on the faces of the kids that the organization reaches. All children deserve to have basic supplies they need to go to school and to have a present to open at Christmas time.  It warms my heart to be a part of it.

Carey’s Toy Story:

As a child I was an avid reader and we always had books galore in the house. However, I was obsessed with horses as so many other young girls are and specifically with the Black Stallion by Walter Farley. I loved the idea of a horse running through the desert; wind in its mane and tail, and of course whipping my hair as I flew along with him on his back. The shiny jet-black coat and brilliant look in his eye as he floated across the sand effortlessly and gracefully is an image I will forever have in my mind.

Christmas is my favorite holiday; it’s full of family, amazing food, laughter, and of course, presents! My mom is Mrs. Clause on steroids and always makes Christmas special for everyone. It was during one of these amazing Christmas’s my family gave me Farley’s Black Stallion book and a Breyer model horse. I played with that horse everyday for way longer than I would like to admit and the cover of that book is worn and tattered and still sits in my bookshelf today. I also still have the horse, which also sits on a bookshelf reminding me to always dream and always remember to fly.

Carey’s Professional Background:

Carey grew up in the great state of Wyoming with our founder Jessica. They were friends since preschool and reconnected when Carey moved to Denver. Carey went to college at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and studied Psychology. She then attended Springfield College in Massachusetts for her Masters in Education of Athletic Counseling and Sport Psychology.

Carey worked for IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL for 7 years as a Mental Conditioning Coach until the mountains and seasons called her back west. She then worked for the University of Denver Athletic Department in their Student-Athlete Support Services department assisting student-athletes with life outside the playing arena.

While at DU she earned her MBA and decided to venture into the world of staffing where she currently works as a Staffing Executive for Robert Half’s Accountemps, recruiting and managing finance and accounting professionals.

When Carey reconnected with Jessica in 2012 she learned of Dolls for Daughters and felt compelled to volunteer right away not only to support her childhood friend, but also to give back to the Colorado community. As someone who has worked with children her entire adult life and LOVES Christmas (and the holidays in general) Carey is a believer in the mission of Kenzi’s Causes by helping underprivileged families and children, especially during the holidays!