Ms. Kayla Klein leads the Black Hills Reads initiative under the United Way umbrella, which is a Campaign for Grade Level Reading initiative. Kayla has always had a passion of early childhood education and has dedicated the last 15 years of her career to advancing the professionals that work with her and status of early childhood education in the state of South Dakota. Kayla graduated from Black Hills State University, holds a degree in Psychology and Human Services as well as a Child Development Associate. Kayla was also a 2016 Women in Leadership series graduate from Black Hills State University. Kayla opened and was CEO of Northern Hills Alliance for Children, Child Development Center for eight years and in working with families and teachers discovered her passion of public policy and being a voice for early learning. When offered the Black Hills Reads Director position at United Way, Kayla saw this as an opportunity to continue this work in the field at a more impactful level. She has served on many boards including SDAEYC as Public Policy chair, NH CASA as President, Handley Recreation Center as President, among others. This passion is only topped by her passion for her family, which includes her husband Matt Klein and two young and spunky boys Desmond and Lincoln. She will continue to volunteer and help promote the rural communities in the Black Hills and is honored to work with so many passionate individuals.
Kayla Klein
Black Hills Reads Director
United Way of the Black Hills