About Us

Our Vision

The Sheridan Foster Parent Exchange was founded by Carla Trier and her 8 year old foster daughter in March of 2013. A foster kid and foster parent herself, Carla saw the need to have supplies right away to welcome a child into their new surroundings. A trash bag or just the clothes on their back are far from a way to let the healing begin. We assist foster children and parents with the difficulties surrounding foster Care. The Sheridan Foster Parent Exchange serves foster, adoptive, and kinship parents and children on the intricate and volatile journey of foster care. So who do we help at the Sheridan Foster Parent Exchange? We help foster parents as they get new kiddos, we help foster parents who have adopted their foster children, we help parents who are reunifying with their child in foster care, we help adults who were foster children and are now parents, we help families who struggle after reunification, and we help grandparents who are guardians or parents to their grandchildren.

Meet the Staff

Carla CraytonExecutive Director

Carla Crayton is the Co-Founder of the Sheridan Foster Parent Parent Exchange and has served as the Executive Director since its inception in 2013. Carla has worked with children in many countries as well as in the United States. In her time in Sheridan over the past 11 years Carla feels Christ has led her on a journey of care; she has worked with differently abled youth, as a CASA, as a visitation supervisor, and a foster mom.

Treylah SmithCo-Founder

Treylah Smith Co-founded the Sheridan Foster Parent Exchange at age 8 along with her Foster mother at the time. Treylah used to spend hours upon hours moving and sorting donations; her favorite activity. Treylah is now reunified with her loving family and resides in Gillette, Wyoming. Treylah participates in basketball volleyball, track and is still involved at the Exchange. Tryelah is now 15 and still has an uncanny knack of identifying the size of a piece of clothing without looking.

Alexis NikirkAdministrative Assistant

Alexis has been part of SFPEX since March 2019. She is a native of Pine Bluffs, WY and has been living in Sheridan since 2006. She has been married since 2007 to her husband Andrew, who is a fisheries biologist. They have 3 beautiful children: Avery, Adley and Archer who keep them busy by playing all kinds of sports and participating in extracurricular activities. Alexis is a certified teacher and has taught elementary school for 14 years. She currently teaches full-time at a one-room schoolhouse in Montana. Alexis loves to chase her children around, be outdoors, and watch sports. She love to hunt and fish and is a 4-H superintendent, volunteer with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and is a board member with the Montana State Literacy Association. As you can see she loves to stay busy and be around kids, and she is proud to be part of the SFPEX team!

Jayde MadrigalOffice Manager

Jayde is the Office Manager at SFPE and a proud Wyoming native. She lives on a small ranch with her husband and 4-year-old daughter, where they enjoy spending time together riding horses and caring for their cows, chickens, cats, and dog. Jayde has been with SFPE since May 2025 and feels grateful for the chance to give back to her community. She also helps run Playing for Hope, a small family nonprofit that supports cancer patients.

Sarah DaveyVolunteer (VISTA)

I am a Wyoming based community advocate, educator and dedicated mother of four. Known for my passion for supporting families and youth, I am actively involved in my local community through volunteer work and leadership initiatives. I am a proud hockey mom and spends much of her time supporting youth sports and helping build strong connections within the Sheridan community.

I also work closely with the Sheridan Foster Parent Exchange, helping create opportunities and resources that support foster families and children in need. With a heart for service and a belief in the power of community, I strive to bring people together to make a meaningful difference. Whether I am organizing events, volunteering or cheering from the hockey rink. I am committed to creating a supportive environment where families and children can thrive.

Meet Our Board

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Melinda Abbott

Meet our newest board member Melinda! Melinda recently joined our board in June of 2022. Melinda has a heart for serving her community and we are so excited to have her on our team! Melinda is a mom of seven beautiful children. She currently works at D.F.S. after spending several years working with homeless, delinquent, and/or foster youth. Melinda has advocated around the United States, including on Capital Hill, regarding foster care. Last but not least, Melinda is passionate about all children having happy and healthy homes.

Desiree Wills

Desiree joined our board in May 2024. She lives in Sheridan with her husband, Cody, their German Shepherd Ava, and their cat Sam. She moved to Sheridan in 2023 when she and Cody transitioned from active duty into the Army Reserve. Desiree is a Realtor and part of The Wills Team at Concept Z – Home & Property, helping individuals and families navigate meaningful life transitions. She previously worked in nonprofit development and fundraising and continues to value work that strengthens families and communities. In the Army, she works in healthcare and enjoys mentoring Soldiers and encouraging strong leadership. Having grown up in foster care herself, Desiree understands how meaningful steady support can be for families and feels blessed to be part of this organization.

Lisa Gill

Lisa and her family have called Sheridan Wyoming home since 2006. Her heart for others can be seen in some of the various things she has given her time and energies to through the years. These have included being a foster parent, a CASA, a licensed daycare provider for struggling parents, mentoring to birthparents and adoptive parents, providing home care to elderly in Sheridan and the surrounding areas, and working as a CNA. Lisa is excited to be a part of the SFPE board serving the community.

Dr. Timothy Donahue

Timothy Donahue is a trainer and consultant. He brings a combination of academic and practical business experience. As the former State Director for Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), he has worked with the profit and non-profit sectors providing consulting, training, and leadership in the areas of strategic management, marketing, customer service, sale’s training, human relations, and business development. Donahue has served on many civic and church boards and loves to give back to the community that has helped his family in times of need. He and his wife, Terri, help care for two wonderful 6 year old identical twin grandsons.

Shellie Eman

Shellie is an occupational therapist and the owner of Sensational Kids Pediatric Therapy. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to provide occupational therapy services to many of the children and families that have benefitted from the services that SFPE provides. She truly believes in serving this wonderful community that we live in.