Candy Payne – Founder and President
Candy worked many years as a high school guidance counselor, and as the program director for Families First foster care agency in California. She is a grandmother of a NICU Grad born at 25 weeks in 2017. She is passionate about serving and supporting other families through the challenges of having a medically fragile infant.
Kristy Bright
Coordinator, Little Lambs of Hope Peer Mentor Moms Resource Group
Kristy is a graduate of Colorado State University. She worked for over five years in sales before having her daughter, Austin, prematurely. After going through the experience of having a premature infant, Kristy became a stay-at-home mom. She is now the proud mother of a 2017 NICU Grad, a donor and supporter of the Mothers Milk Bank, and Coordinator of the Little Lambs of Hope Peer Mentor Moms Resource Group.
Tyra Ware
Tyra graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She went on to be a full-time nurse for 12 years. In 2019, her son was born with a short stay in the NICU. Tyra still works as a nurse, part-time so she can be a mamma the rest of the week. She is passionate about supporting families who have had any experience of fighting for their little one’s life.
Laudine Vallarta Canady
Laudine Vallarta Canady is originally from New York City and has been living in Colorado since 2020. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Drew University and a Master’s in Human Resources Management & Development from New York University. She was formerly the Global Head of Executive Talent Acquisition for Etsy, an online marketplace for unique handmade goods. Laudine’s son was born in 2022 at 35 weeks and spent some time in the NICU. She is also an aunt to twin NICU grads who are now grown up and thriving. Laudine is excited to support Little Lambs of Hope’s mission to provide comfort and hope to NICU families through challenging times.
