We’re dramatically improving the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care, so they find and thrive in safe, loving families, supported by Foster Friendly communities where they belong.
We Have ONE Meaningful Mission
To dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care by ensuring they
can be placed with caring foster and/or
adoptive families.
We Target TWO Profound Problems
Foster care has half the
parents it needs to care for kids.
Half of new foster parents quit within their first year.
The shortage of homes and inability to retain families and close the gap mean, kids wait longer and move more frequently between temporary placements. The high rate of disruption increases kids’ trauma and reinforces their sense that they don’t belong.
We Bring THREE Signature Solutions
Our I Belong Project video
storytelling initiative films kids in need
of adoptive families. It is the largest,
most effective program of its kind that
has the additional benefit of inspiring
thousands of people each year to
pursue adoption and fostering.
Our Foster Friendly
Program and App target foster family
retention by equipping businesses, churches and communities to support and encourage local foster families.
Our Coalition Campaigns
leverage the convening authority
of the government (e.g., the governor’s office) to forge cross-sector alliances for sustainable change in foster care.
Our mission is executed at a grassroots level by our state-based teams, supported and empowered by a lean shared services team that provides strategic direction, technological enablement and operational efficiencies.
Executive Team
Brian Mavis
Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships
AKB co-founder, dad, former foster dad and pastor, world’s greatest “papa”, and husband to the beautiful Julie Mavis for 31 years. Enjoys good company, conversations, and cuisine.
Phil Grizzle
Executive Director, Operations
A bio, foster and adoptive dad of four, Phil’s leadership focus is on sustainable change, excellence, and efficiency. He loves exploring new places, the outdoors and is continually in search of the perfect cup of coffee.
Nanette Kirsch
Executive Director, Marketing and Communication
Tech-driven marketer, writer, mom to four adoptive and bio kids, Nanette loves reading, writing and all forms of clear and compelling communication.
I Belong Project™ Shared Services Team
Lisel Atherton
Child Welfare Specialist
A former child-welfare caseworker, Lisel helps ensure the safety and dignity of the kids filmed for IBP. She is a bio and foster mom to four busy sons.
Brian Edman
Creative Director
Brian leads video editing for the I Belong Project and enjoys using his talents to improve the outcomes of kids in foster care.
Laurie Zauche
Senior Director, Operations
Laurie leads the Operations Team, which provides a strong foundation for organization so that we can fulfill our mission more effectively and efficiently. She is a wife, mom and licensed therapeutic respite care provider.
Leah Busboom
Operations Project Manager
Leah is a Salesforce administrator and operational lead on the Foster Friendly App. She also is a published author and committed advocate for vulnerable kids.
Amy Booth
Operations Project Manager
Amy works behind-the-scenes in Operations managing donations and systems that support AKB’s team members, assisting them in improving the experience and changing the outcomes of kids in foster care.
Marty Hyde
Operations Project Manager
Marty manages special projects for IBP and the leadership team and provides support for AKB Operations. Her work allows our entire team more easily reach their goals and fulfill our mission. She has served on a local church’s WRAP team.
Abby Koenigseker
Development Manager
Abby is a foster mom and bio-mom. She believes every child needs a loving home and that is why she is a part of the AKB team. Because, as Brian Mavis puts it, a good family is better than a program. It is an honor to do my part in helping kids and families.
Marketing
Travis Vangsnes
Grant Writer and Storyteller
A bio, foster and adoptive dad, Travis meets with, honors and shares the stories of folks from all dimensions of AKB’s foster, adoption and Foster Friendly work.
Christina Bauer
Social Media Manager
A former foster youth and new mom, Tina draws from both experiences to ensure an authentic, knowledgeable and empathetic voice across AKB’s social media platforms.
Juliana Hill
Marketing Manager
A creative director with 15+ yrs experience in both nonprofit and commercial sectors Juliana is committed to seeing at-risk youth and children find forever families.
Reporting and Documentation
Contact Us
America’s Kids Belong
1151 Eagle Dr., #464
Loveland, CO 80537