meet our team
The EdVenture Group was founded in 2001 by a high school computer science and mathematics teacher, Dr. Lydotta Taylor. Recognizing the need for change, Dr. Taylor has managed over $25 million in federal, state, local, and private funding to provide innovative solutions to common K-12 education obstacles. Today, her team leads customer-specific educational programming for a variety of educational organizations nationwide.
Lydotta taylor
PrESIDENT & FOUNDER
Dr. Lydotta M. Taylor is the Founder, President, and CEO of The EdVenture Group, Inc. Beginning as a high school math teacher, Dr. Taylor has built a career through her passion to teach and lead others. An entrepreneur at heart, she founded The EdVenture Group, an educational consulting non-profit, in 2001. With her leadership and educational background, The EdVenture Group has implemented over 7,000 workshops for educators and impacted over 25,000 students. Today, The EdVenture Group are leaders in school culture, technology integration, and youth programming and have managed over $20 million in federal, state, and private funding.
Throughout her career, Dr. Taylor has committed herself to a mission of lifelong learning and growth. Her education career began as a high school math and computer science teacher, growing to serve as the Instructional Technology Coordinator for the Monongalia County school system. Prior to founding The EdVenture Group, she served as Vice President for Workforce and Education at the West Virginia High Technology Consortium (WVHTC) Foundation. She completed the Advanced Management Program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business Executive Education, and completed the Life Success Consulting and Coaching certification in 2009. She earned her Doctoral degree in Curriculum & Instruction with a specialization in STEM Professional Development from West Virginia University in 2011 and continues to seek opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.
Dr. Taylor is an active volunteer in the community and recently led the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties in a $1,570,000 campaign. She serves on numerous boards and provides mentorship to many organizations. Dr. Taylor continues to utilize her love for teaching and has taught at the collegiate level in Leadership Studies for the College of Arts & Science at WVU, the MBA, eMBA and MSIR programs at the College of Business & Economics at WVU. Dr. Taylor was recognized as the 2019 Distinguished Alumnus by Leadership West Virginia for her service and leadership throughout the state. In 2022 Dr. Taylor was recognized as a West Virginia Executive Magazine Sharp Shooter; a title awarded to honorees dedicated to the pursuit of making West Virginia a better place.
Dr. Taylor is many things – a leader, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a keynote speaker, a published author, a mother. At the foundation of these many roles and titles, Dr. Taylor remains one thing – a teacher. Today, the world is her classroom.
kayla benson
Director of impact
Kayla Benson, MPA is the Director of Impact at The EdVenture Group. Kayla began her career in the child advocacy field, leading growth efforts at two community-based organizations as a Development Coordinator at the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center and, prior to EdVenture, as the Executive Director at CASA For Kids of Monongalia and Preston Counties. Kayla applies lived experience as a non-profit leader and nearly a decade working with children, families, and team members to support professional development, advocacy, and leadership efforts that benefit education communities across West Virginia and the nation. Kayla’s unique background in the child advocacy field adds perspective and an understanding of the strengths, complexities, and challenges of the families and communities served to her work in K-12 education with EdVenture.
Kayla currently serves as the Director of the West Virginia Family Engagement Center (WVFEC), leading efforts to enhance family engagement across the state, and serves a a founding co-lead of the REL Appalachia Kinship Caregivers and Grandfamilies Community of Practice (CoP). Kayla’s passion for helping children and families, combined with her background and experience in prevention and leadership, drive her current efforts in leading the development and implementation of The EdVenture Group’s Prevention Program, and the Leaders Investing in Family Engagement (LIFE) Program. Kayla strives to use innovative strategies to build partnerships and programming to solve generational and community-specific challenges to her work at The EdVenture Group. Kayla earned her Master’s degree in Public Administration from West Virginia University in 2011, supported by a B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Leadership Studies, Entrepreneurship, and Communication. She completed her certificate in Executive Leadership from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business Executive Education in 2022. She remains personally committed to advocating for and supporting children who are in the system through no fault of their own as a CASA volunteer and mentor with Harbor 58.
amber ravenscroft
director OF INNOVATION
Amber Ravenscroft is the Director of Innovation at The EdVenture Group. With an eye for design, Amber began her career at the organization as a marketing intern. She quickly found her passion in K-12 educational programming and today brings entrepreneurship education, workforce development, and STEM innovation to the forefront of The EdVenture Group’s professional offerings.
Amber serves as the Project Director for the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Pathway, a collaborative effort between the Marshall University, the WV Department of Education, and West Virginia University to develop and pilot the state (and nation’s) first formal career and technical education (CTE) entrepreneurship program, supported through funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
Amber has also served as the Program Manager for The National Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education (EntreEd)’s ARC-funded entrepreneurship programs for the past five years, impacting over 55,000 Appalachian students.
Amber serves as Co-Chair of the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, Co-Chair of National Entrepreneurship Week, and Special Interest Group Chair for the K-12 SIG of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE). She is an avid volunteer and mentor and has judged and mentored students within several national and state-based entrepreneurship competitions and programs.
Amber led The EdVenture Group to be one of only 29 internationally-awarded Google RISE organizations for the CS EdVenture program in 2016, and was a featured breakout speaker at the 2018 National Title I Conference in Philadelphia, PA, where she spoke of the organization’s work on female students in STEM and Computer Science. Today, she manages a portfolio of education initiatives focused on K-12 education innovation.
Amber earned her B.S. in Strategic Communications from West Virginia University in 2015 and her M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2019. With a skill for finding, framing, and solving problems in the education sector, Amber’s passion for K-12 innovation has led to over $4.5 million in grant funding and impacted thousands of students and teachers across Appalachia and the country.
casey patterson
Director of Future Readiness
After leaving West Virginia for college and then living across the country, Buckhannon native Casey Patterson returned home in 2022. His Appalachian pride and hopeful vision for the success of WV and its people have been driving his work with students of all ages since his return.
In his role as Director of Future Readiness, Casey leads programming in innovation, career technical education, entrepreneurship, and career readiness, ensuring that learners and families receive the support they need to thrive.
Prior to joining the EdVenture Group, Casey spent a decade working in higher education, spearheading student success and college access initiatives at various institutions. Most recently, Casey worked with another WV-based nonprofit focused on retaining young talent in the state through workforce and economic development.
At the core of Casey’s work is the belief that every individual has strengths that, when leveraged, can help lead students to incredible outcomes. However, he also recognizes that many students and families, especially those in rural areas, often do not have ample opportunities to show and develop these strengths. Creating these opportunities is what motivates Casey to do this work.
Outside of work, Casey can likely be found enjoying a cup of coffee, exploring a state or national park, or (more likely) trying to wrangle one of his four children with his wife, Kaitlin.
nina riivald
SR. Program Manager
Nina is a Senior Program Manager at the EdVenture Group. Nina has over twenty years of experience spanning the fields of secondary education, higher education, student affairs, and philanthropy. She is committed to building inclusive communities, relationships, and celebrating Appalachian Joy.
Nina earned her BA in English, Language, and Literature with a minor in Women’s Studies and her MA in Women’s Studies directed liberal arts at West Virginia University. She earned her MS in Secondary English Education with a focus on urban education from Herbert Lehman College (CUNY) and her EdD in Social and Comparative Analysis of Education and Administrative & Policy Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Nina’s research explored cultivating Appalachian Community Cultural Wealth though art and Appalachian place-based identities to amplify student voice.
Jennifer wotring
Sr. Program Manager
With over 20 years of experience in program development, implementation, and management, Jennifer has developed a notable career in education and afterschool programming. As a Senior Program Manager at The EdVenture Group, Jennifer has leveraged her expertise in training and project management to deliver high-impact educational programming and professional development to educators, school staff, and administrators across schools and extended learning programs. Her work spans a wide range of topics, including creating welcoming environments, customer service, STEM education, family engagement, and growth mindset.
For more than 15 years, Jennifer has played a key role in supporting afterschool initiatives, most notably through her work with Preston County Schools’ After School Explorers program in West Virginia. She is a recognized thought leader in the field of out-of-school-time programming, frequently serving as a peer reviewer for state 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant competitions and facilitating conference workshops at the local, state, regional, and national levels. In addition, Jennifer earned the Dimensions of Success Certified Observer credential and in 2022-2023 led the facilitation of the revision of the West Virginia State Afterschool Network (WVSAN) Afterschool Quality Standards, further advancing the quality of afterschool programs in the region.
In her role as Family Engagement Specialist with The EdVenture Group’s West Virginia Family Engagement Center, Jennifer has supported schools in strengthening family and community engagement. She brings deep knowledge of best practices to her work, helping schools and out-of-school-time programs build stronger connections with families and communities to enhance student success.
Jennifer serves as the event lead for The EdVenture Group, overseeing the planning and on-site coordination of all in-person dissemination activities. Her exceptional organizational and leadership skills ensure the success of these events, which are integral to the organization’s outreach and impact.
Jennifer’s blend of expertise in program management, professional development, and family engagement continues to shape and elevate educational initiatives, ensuring that both students and families thrive.
Kinsey walker
Director of Operations and Capacity Building
Kinsey Walker grew up in WV, in the heart of Appalachia, where she learned firsthand the importance of investing in young people and the power of tight-knit communities, which continue to ground her work and her belief that rural learners deserve pathways as expansive as the region’s landscapes. As Operations Director at The EdVenture Group, Kinsey leads the systems, structures, and organizational processes that strengthen internal capacity and streamline project delivery. She supports staff across teams by improving workflows, enhancing coordination, and ensuring the organization is equipped to serve students, families, and educators with excellence.
Before joining EdVenture, Kinsey built a uniquely comprehensive perspective across the education and workforce ecosystem, having taught learners from kindergarten through college and having served as both a federal funder and a multi-state grantee. She directed projects at The Grants Clearinghouse, managing complex initiatives and federal grants, and previously served as a Workforce & Education Program Analyst at the Appalachian Regional Commission, where she led workforce and education partnerships across the region and reviewed and managed a wide range of competitive and state-focused grants. Her earlier career includes teaching kindergarten through middle school in MS and TN, leading STEM outreach with the National Energy Technology Laboratory, directing a statewide fellowship at Generation WV to retain emerging talent, conducting policy analysis for the WV Legislature, and teaching and building higher education programs that support student success and academic development at Vanderbilt. Through these roles, Kinsey brings a 360-degree understanding of what students, educators, communities, and institutions need to thrive.
She is driven by a commitment to building stronger cradle-to-career pathways so Appalachian learners can thrive in place. Outside of work, Kinsey can be found hiking with her dog, cooking and sharing good food, or watching as much basketball as she possibly can.
victoria taylor
Program manager
Victoria Taylor graduated from West Virginia University with her Master’s in Social Work, and a B.A. in Criminology along with minors in Law and Legal Studies and Addiction Studies.
During her undergrad, she completed internships with CASA for Kids of Monongalia and Preston Counties and the Northern District of West Virginia Drug Court Program which allowed her to explore her interests while gaining new perspectives of how she can help individuals in her home state of West Virginia. While interning for CASA for Kids MPC, she created and organized the Back-to-School Supply Drive. Over 1,500 supplies were collected along with donations for children in the community. The NDWV Drug Court Program allowed her to observe and participate as a team member, expanding her knowledge of the rehabilitative program, the criminal justice system, and substance abuse culminating in a capstone project and presentation.
Joining The EdVenture Group as a Family Engagement Specialist with the WV Family Engagement Center program is an opportunity that will allow Victoria to use her beliefs and skillsets to empower and encourage others.
kim zirk
PROGRAM MANAGER
Kim Zirk brings extensive experience in both education and corporate sectors to The EdVenture Group, Inc. as a Program Manager. She graduated from West Virginia University with a Master’s degree in Secondary Education, and a Bachelor’s degree in English. Kim has over a decade of experience working with youth of all ages across the K-16 continuum. As a classroom educator, she designed, developed, and implemented rigorous research focused on differentiating curriculum for students’ individual learning styles.
Kim transitioned her skills to the corporate sector where she focused on client service roles. This experience honed her ability to connect with a wide range of audiences and manage complex projects and initiatives. As a Program Manager at EdVenture, she helps design and manage programs that focus on innovation, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship education. This portfolio of work ranges from direct implementation with students to developing and delivering professional development and training to educational staff and community members. Her work contributes to EdVenture’s growth and positive reputation as a thought leader and partner to advance economic prosperity across rural communities of the United States.
kiran boggs
Program COORDINATOR
Growing up in Spencer, West Virginia, Kiran Boggs learned early the importance of empowering communities within the state. This personal connection to his home state fueled his dedication to bringing fresh perspectives and creating new resources for students in Appalachia.
In his role as Program Coordinator at The EdVenture Group, he helps with coordination and modernization of a project portfolio ranging from family engagement efforts to career readiness programming. Beginning his career with EdVenture as an intern, he authored financial literacy curriculum for K-12 students in West Virginia – finding his ideal channel to jumpstart his passion for empowering Appalachia’s next generation.
Prior to joining The EdVenture Group, Kiran gained valuable experience as a Consultant with the WVU Student Consulting Group, aiding West Virginia’s business leaders in significant funding acquisition, optimizing pricing for new products, and enhancing overall product yields through expert collaboration and system implementation. Kiran recently graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and minor in International Business.
With a deep commitment to helping young people see their potential, Kiran is motivated to create high-impact resources that are tailored to ensure all students find relevance and engagement in meaningful ways. Outside of work, Kiran loves being outdoors, whether it’s traveling to new places, skiing, or playing pickup basketball.
kylee hassan
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
From an early age, Kylee saw how one caring adult—like her mom, a lifelong educator—could make a lasting impact. That insight, paired with years of working alongside children and families in foster care, shaped her belief that connection and consistency can change a young person’s life.
In her role as Program Coordinator at The EdVenture Group, Kylee helps bring educational programs to life across West Virginia and beyond. She coordinates events, builds relationships with schools and partners, and supports communications that reach students, educators, and families with purpose and clarity.
Prior to joining EdVenture, Kylee served as Marketing Director at Mission West Virginia, where she led statewide outreach campaigns focused on foster care and adoption. She brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit communications, program planning, and community engagement. Kylee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Marshall University.
Deeply committed to helping all students feel empowered and supported, Kylee believes every child deserves caring adults and safe spaces to grow.
Outside of work, Kylee enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, exploring local parks, and planning her next trip out of the country!
peyton smith
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Peyton Smith was born and raised in rural West Virginia, where she developed a strong passion for supporting students, families, and communities. Her background in teaching and community-focused work fuels her commitment to making a difference through hands-on, relationship-driven programs.
As a Program Coordinator at The EdVenture Group, Peyton helps organize and support a wide range of educational programs and events across the state. From coordinating logistics and facilitating meetings to communicating with partners and managing outreach, she plays a key role in ensuring projects run smoothly and make lasting impact.
Before joining EdV, Peyton worked as an educator and then held roles in communications, data entry, and educational program coordination at Mountain State Educational Services Cooperative. She has experience leading large-scale conferences, supporting emotional intelligence programming, and helping families access community resources. Peyton holds a B.S. in Educational Studies.
She believes in lifting up students, families, and educators by creating spaces where they feel seen, supported, and capable of achieving great things.
Outside of work, Peyton runs a small business, coaches basketball, and enjoys golfing, camping, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her family.
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©2025 The EdVenture Group
Privacy and Terms
