
Who We Are
We are a global Christian organization who builds communities and invests in the spiritual growth of others through contextualized programs that foster meaningful connections between adults, children and God.
KidZ at Heart International, established in 2003, emerged from a passion for children and those who guide them. With over thirty years of combined experience in children’s and family ministry, our co-founders collaborated with pastors, leaders, and families worldwide to design contextualized programs that foster meaningful connections between children and God — moving beyond mere religious instruction.
Over time, the organization has deepened its focus on spiritual formation, equipping adults to cultivate daily spiritual practices that enrich their faith journeys. This personal transformation naturally overflows into their interactions with children, nurturing vibrant, lifelong relationships with God.

Our Leadership
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A part of our KidZ community since 2015, Becky has served in multiple roles from Trip Mobilizer, Director of Mobilization, VP for Europe, VP of Programs to now, our Interim CEO.
At the age of 17, Becky experienced God’s wonderful love for her and surrendered her heart and life to him. And it wasn’t before long that her passion for telling the world about the love of Jesus and nurturing spiritual growth in others was ignited, launching her into an almost 20-year career in Children's Ministry.
Becky currently resides in Bloomfield, Colorado and has 4 adult sons in Texas, Colorado and California (three of whom are married and one soon-to-be!) and one very fun grandson.
Her favorite way to spend time with God: In nature! She says, “God speaks to me most clearly when I am in his creation, walking with him. It is where I enjoy spending the most time with my Father.”
Why KidZ? “Since I was 5 years old, I have been searching for my Father’s love with the deep understanding that there had to be more than what I was being taught. God distinctly pursued me and placed a deep yearning inside of me. Why KidZ? Because I have a passion to help children not just know about God but to have an intimate relationship with God!
Becky McAllister
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Kathy Kochis
Chief Operations Officer
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Kathy and her husband, Rick, joined our KidZ Community in 2018 when they were invited to facilitate a KidZ at Heart training in Ukraine - and from that point on they were hooked!
Continuing as facilitators throughout 2019 and into 2020, Kathy felt God calling her out of retirement, toward a deeper connection with Kidz at Heart, joining KidZ staff in 2020 as a Special Project Coordinator in the Training Resources division. But God was not stopping there!
With a background in Finance and Operations, she saw the Lord expand his calling to her and shifted into the role of Chief Operations Officer in February 2024.
Kathy accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior in 1976, but didn't come into a deep relationship with Him until 2001 when she completed the Experiencing God Bible Study by Henry Blackaby.
She currently resides in Denver, Colorado with her sweetheart of 53 years (Rick). Together they have three children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren!
Her favorite way to spend time with God: “ I love spending time with God in his Word. The spiritual practices that we teach have really enhanced the time I spend with him in that space.”
Why KidZ? “God has called me out of retirement to be an active part of not only taking the Gospel to all the nations but discipling others who are hungry for the Word of God and a deeper relationship with Jesus.”
Advancement Division
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Michelle Romanowski
Director of Communications
- Dual Role
Contact Michelle:
mromanowski@kidzatheart.org -
Samantha Riley
Social Media Coordinator
Contact Samantha:
sriley@kidzatheart.org
Operations Division
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Tammy Andrade
Tammy Andrade | Director of Operations
Contact Tammy:
tandrade@kidzatheart.org -
Shannon Nyange
Shannon Nyange | Training Team Coordinator
Contact Shannon:
snyange@kidzatheart.org -
Becca Hess
Executive Assistant/Special Projects Coordinator
Contact Becca:
bhess@kidzatheart.org
Resource Division
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Heather Ligrani
VP of Ministry Efficacy
Contact Heather: hligrani@kidzatheart.org -
Michelle Romanowski
VP of Content Development - Dual Role
Contact Michelle: mromanowski@kidzatheart.org -
Beverly Fagan
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Contact Beverly:
bfagan@kidzatheart.org -
Yeukai Gukwa
Translation Coordinator
Contact Yeukai: ygukwa@kidzatheart.org
African Ministries
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Sipelile Kaseke
Vice President of Programs: Africa
Contact Sipelile: skaseke@kidzatheart.org -
Lynnette Stander
Regional Training Network Director - Southern Africa
Contact Lynette: lstander@kidzatheart.org -
Grace Rwothumio
Regional Training Network Director - Eastern Africa
Contact Grace: grwothumio@kidzathert.org -
Derrick Banda
Regional Training Network Director - Central Africa
Contact Derrick: dbanda@kidzatheart.org -
Mercy Banda
National Training Network Director - Zambia
Contact Mercy: MBanda@kidzatheart.org -
Timothy Tamale
National Training Network Director - Uganda
Contact Timothy: ttamale@kidzatheart.org -
Jeremiah Mutongwizo
National Training Network Director - Zimbabwe
Contact Jeremiah: jmutongwizo@kidzatheart.org -
Benedict Mahase
National Training Network Director - Lesotho
Contact Benedict: bmahase@kidzatheart.org
Asian Ministries
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Lorraine Chung
VP of Programs - Asia
Contact Lorraine:
lchung@kidzatheart.org -
Sher Lama
National Training Network Director - Nepal
Contact Sher:
slama@kidzatheart.org
Latin American Ministries
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Carolina de Portillo
VP of Programs-Latin America
Contact Carolina:
cportillo@kidzatheart.org -
Natalia de Manzano
Regional Training Network Director -
Central America and Mexico
Contact Natalia:
nmanzano@kidzatheart.org -
Claudia Padilla Gaona
National Training Network Director -Mexico
Contact Claudia: cpadillagaona@kidzatheart.org -
Esther Palma
National Training Network Director
-Costa Rica
Contact Esther:
epalma@kidzatheart.org
Middle East/North Africa Ministries
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Youeel Tarabay
VP of Programs - MENA - Dual Role
Contact Youeel:
ytarabay@kidzatheart.org -
Adel Bukhary
National Training Network Director - Sudan
Contact Adel:
abukhary@kidzatheart.org -
Mariam Fakhry
National Training Network Director - Qatar
Contact Mariam:
mfakhry@kidzatheart.org -
Mary Kablan
National Training Network Director - Syria
Contact Mary:
mkablan@kidzatheart.org -
Fady Rezk
National Training Network Director - Jordan
Contact Fady:
frezk@kidzatheart.org -
Saydeh Younes
National Training Network Director - Lebanon
Contact Saydeh:
syounes@kidzatheart.org
North American Ministries
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Maureen Berger
VP of Programs - North America
Contact Maureen: mberger@kidzatheart.org -
Krista Fountain
National Training Network Director - Canada
Contact Krista:
kfountain@kidzatheart.org -
Robin Pyles
Director of Intergenerational Worship
Contact Robin:
rpyles@kidzatheart.org -
Barbie Murphy
North America Training Coordinator
Contact Barbie: bmurphy@kidzatheart.org
Our Board of Directors
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Rick Whitaker
CHAIRMAN
CPA - Accounting Solutions, Inc.
San Diego, CA
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Brian Sobolewski
VICE CHAIRMAN
Founder, President, & CEO - All Things Restored, LLC
Jacksonville, FL
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Debby DeBernardi
SPIRITUAL FORMATION DIRECTOR
Retired Director of Christian Formation - Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church
Ahwatukee, AZ
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Pam Givens
SECRETARY
Retired Administrative Assistant at Indian Bible College
Coon Rapids, MN
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Hal Givens
BOARD MEMBER
Instructor at Indian Bible College
Coon Rapids, MN
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Alexis Dasari
BOARD MEMBER
Family Life Pastor, Vineyard Community Church
Kansas City, MO