Board of Directors

Megan Vinci

Megan joined the board in January 2024 after experiencing firsthand the challenges of finding quality child care in Leadville. As a new parent, she became passionate about expanding childcare options for local families and became involved in the childcare coalition. Megan has lived in Leadville with her husband, Dan, their son, River, and their dog, Buddy, since 2019. While her background in healthcare system integration is not directly related to Early Childcare Education, she brings decades of business experience to her role as Treasurer of the organization. She is dedicated to ensuring the financial stability of the center and supporting its mission to serve the community.

Tessa Lindahl

Tessa Lindahl, looking to become more involved in the community while using her extensive experience as an educator, came onto the board in the middle of 2025 as someone invested in the wellbeing and education of young people without having children of her own. Tessa has always been an advocate for children and families to have access to the best care. With her work experiences from daycare to public schools, from summer art camps to museums, Tessa has a wide view of the skills and experiences children need to develop and should have access to grow successfully. Additionally, her familiarity with non-profits and grant writing is a benefit for Bright Start, allowing her to support staff with funding and organization goals. Tessa is excited to continue to integrate with Leadville and become ingrained in the community. 

Heather Moutoux

Heather joined the board in early 2025 because she wanted to give more energy to things that matter right here in Lake County.  With her background in Special Education, she believes in educated communities which start with our littlest members.  She champions the underrepresented and those living with barriers to equitable access to education.  Recently, Heather made a career move from the education world to the judicial world where she works as a probation officer.  Heather habla español. 

Why did you join the Bright Start Board?

I wanted to respond to the need to have board members that were not parents of children attending Bright Start because of the different perspectives non-parents might offer.  One of my main goals on the board is to increase equitable access to high quality childcare in Lake County by finding funding opportunities that target disproportionality and by seeking ways for more youth to choose and be prepared for careers in childcare as they are leaving high school.

Kelsey Wood

Kelsey has called Leadville home for more than a decade and is deeply invested in the strength and future of the community. She works professionally in nonprofit marketing and communications, specializing in storytelling, community engagement, and strategic outreach.

Through her professional work and volunteer leadership, Kelsey has supported a variety of local organizations, events, and initiatives that strengthen the fabric of Leadville. She brings a collaborative, solutions-focused perspective to the Bright Start board, helping guide long-term planning and community partnerships that support the center’s sustainability and growth.

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As a parent with a child enrolled at Bright Start, Kelsey has experienced firsthand the impact high-quality early childhood education can have on families and communities. She is passionate about ensuring Bright Start continues to provide strong foundations for local children and remains an essential resource for Leadville families.

Katy Aigner

Katy Aigner is a proud parent at Bright Start and a grateful member of the Leadville community. Since making Leadville home, she has grown deeply connected to the town’s spirit of resilience, service, and care for one another — values she sees reflected every day at Bright Start.

As a mother, Katy is passionate about early childhood education and the profound impact a supportive, nurturing environment has on both children and families. Bright Start has played a meaningful role in her son’s life, and she is continually inspired by the school’s commitment to fostering curiosity, confidence, and belonging from the very beginning.

Previously, Katy served as a member of Lake County Search and Rescue, an experience that deepened her appreciation for teamwork, preparedness, and community support in the unique mountain environment Leadville calls home.

Katy is honored to serve on the Bright Start board as Secretary and is excited to support the school’s mission, staff, and families while helping ensure Bright Start continues to thrive as a cornerstone of the Leadville community.

Addie Elliott

A lifelong Colorado resident, Addie has always valued strong community roots—and she’s grateful to be raising her family in Leadville, where she and her husband, Jeremiah, moved in 2024. Before moving to the mountains, she coached high school softball on the Front Range for ten years. That experience sparked her love for local fundraising and taught her the importance of rallying a community around its young people. Now, as a local hairdresser and business owner in Leadville, she has the privilege of talking with many families every day and hearing firsthand the hopes, needs, and feedback of parents across the area. 

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Their daughter, Taylee, happily heads to school each morning at Bright Start and adores her teachers. Her positive experience has made the transition to early education much easier for their family. 

Addie has grown to deeply appreciate how the teachers and staff care for local families. The Bright Start team feels like a part of their family. She is passionate about supporting the teachers and staff at BSLC because they are supporting her family—and so many others. She is committed to giving back to the people who help local children thrive.