Our Staff & Board of Directors

Melissa Monforti

Executive Director

Oversees the strategic direction of the organization, manages and supports the staff, maintains PlatteForum’s strong reputation in the arts ecosystem, connects with donors and supporters, and ensures that the organization continues to serve youth, artists, families, and community members through engaging programming, wrap-around resources, and expansive cultural events.

she/her — mmonforti@platteforum.org

A Little Bit of Background:
Melissa joined the PlatteForum team in 2026 bringing over twenty years of experience as a nonprofit leader. She received her Master of Nonprofit Management from Regis University as a Colorado Trust Fellow. Her nonprofit work expands a wide range of small to national organizations, and all roles including volunteer management, high level fundraising, operations, board development, multi-modal marketing, strategy, partnerships, and executive leadership. She has served on multiple nonprofit boards, has been a founding ED, and launched three small businesses. Additionally, Melissa is a spiritual director certified by the Haden Institute. Melissa is a professional recording artist as well as an amateur painter. She has three grown children and lives with her husband, Lars, and her dog, Joey, in Golden.

Favorite Mediums:
Melissa is currently playing with abstract watercolor but also loves collage, colored pencil, and altar building.

Two Truths and a Lie:

Performed before a crowd of more than 5,000
Broke her collar bone falling out of bed
Drove a Maserati at a speed of 120mph

Alejandra Calvo

Program Director

Works with ArtLab, her main focus and goal is to create and foster a safe and creative learning environment for youth where they feel seen, connected and develop a sense of belonging. In collaboration with artists and others, she dedicates her time and energy into bringing more resources, access and experiences to ArtLab interns. She's the person to contact if you're interested in collaborating with PlatteForum's ArtLab internship program.

Bilingual in Spanish
she/her — acalvo@platteforum.org

A Little Bit of Background:
Alejandra began working with youth early in her career during a year long service with AmeriCorps. Upon completion, she returned to school to become a math and SpEd teacher and taught in various Title 1 schools across the Denver Metro Area. Her love for the arts took her back to school to study Fine Arts - this is how she stumbled upon PlatteForum, a place where her passions intersected: art, community and education.

Favorite Mediums:
A little bit of everything! Painting, sound and photography are her main mediums, but her curiosity expands her practice into diving into other materials.

Two Truths and a Lie:

Is fully deaf from her right ear
Has written the first five chapters of a book
Fully converted a van to adventure across the US, but instead went back to school

Kendall Kultgen

Operations Director

Works to leverage resources, manage grants, and support operations so PlatteForum can deliver its mission serving youth, artists, and community.

she/they — kkultgen@platteforum.org

A Little Bit of Background:
Kendall has a decade of non-profit experience, beginning her career while a student at Colorado College, then working for Concrete Couch under the mentorship of Steve Wood, before landing in Denver. She has organized, volunteered, and facilitated with a couple of organizations working in the realms of art, environment, housing justice, and at countless schools - teaching arts education programming to all ages.

Kendall started at PlatteForum in 2020 as an ArtLab Facilitator, then the Creative Programming Manager, up until August 2023. Now, she has the privilege of leveraging critical resources and supporting PlatteForum’s programs and operations.

Favorite Mediums:
Ceramic mosaic, sewing, murals

Two Truths and a Lie:

Helped make a giant mosaic tile pumpkin
Played a Division 1 college sport
Hosted a bug-themed roller skate party

Lizeth Hernandez

Program Coordinator

Works in partnership with the Program Director and community partners to successfully implement PlatteForum’s award winning youth program, ArtLab.

Bilingual in Spanish
she/her — lhernandez@platteforum.org

A Little Bit of Background:
Lizeth Hernandez graduated from Community College of Denver in 2018 with an associate of Studio Art. She continued her education at the Metropolitan State University of Denver and in 2021, receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Photography and Jewelry Making + Metalsmithing. Over the years, Hernandez has created various artworks that focus on her personal experiences with culture, physical health, and feminism. Through her art, she aims to educate and inform people from all backgrounds, encouraging open dialogue and conversation: “Art is such a powerful medium for expression and I am grateful for the platform to share my voice and perspectives with the world.”

Favorite Mediums:
Textiles and metals

Two Truths and a Lie:

She qualified for swimming at the Olympics but had to pull out due to an injury
As a child, I took a nap underneath a circular clothing rack at Walmart and my mom thought I got kidnapped which ended in a lockdown
I've had spinal reconstruction surgery

Axel Leonhardt

Program Assistant

Assists PlatteForum with installs, exhibition openings, and any odd jobs around the office, including making their coworkers smile.

they/them — aleonhardt@platteforum.org

A Little Bit of Background:
Axel has been with PlatteForum since their time as an ArtLab intern. After graduating the program, they served as the Administrative Assistant, mostly working under the Executive Director. They have recently transitioned into the Art Handler role and when they're not at PlatteForum, you can find them painting houses around Denver.

Favorite Mediums:
Paint! All kinds!

Two Truths and a Lie: