Our Story
Canopy’s roots lie with the Office of Educational Innovation and Evaluation (OEIE) at Kansas State University, where our flagship product the Program Engagement and Reporting System (PEARS) was born. What initially started in 2011 as a collaboration between OEIE, K-State Research & Extension, and Kansas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (Kansas SNAP-Ed), has since bloomed into a public benefit company that highly values our team, our clients, and the communities they serve.
We are on a mission to simplify the burden of accountability reporting and help organizations embed a culture of evaluation and continuous improvement. As our clients work to increase the health and wellness, viability, and sustainability of their communities, Canopy works to streamline evaluation and reporting workflows, and increase their business efficiencies. We know our clients are having a huge impact, and we aim to make sure their success stories are both seen and heard.
Our Core Values
We have six core values that serve as guiding principles for our team. We are passionate in service—to our clients, our community, and each other. Honesty and humility underpin this service, and an emphasis on collaboration, curiosity, and grit drives us to continually improve the quality of our products and services.
Meet the Team
Aaron has over 20 years of experience building data management and reporting tools. Although his favorite tree is a red oak, you might find him on the disc golf course trying desperately to avoid them.
Joel leads our client success team and ensures our clients receive top-notch service. He uses trees to make delicious smoked meats, which the rest of our team loves to eat!
Brent leads our engineering team and has over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He loves trees found in the mountains the most, and trees in the form of paper the least.
Allison has 10 years experience working with SNAP-Ed and Extension to improve evaluation and reporting practices. The weeping willow (not to be confused with the whomping willow) is her favorite tree.
John has worked with software and data teams for over 24 years. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Canopy. John has an appreciation for any tree that provides protection from the strong Kansas wind.
Bethany assists with Canopy’s day-to-day operations. Her ideal summer afternoon would involve a hammock hung between two Cottonwoods near a stream. Here she would read a book, listen to the trickling water and enjoy the Kansas breeze.
Levi has over 7 years experience working with web applications. When he isn’t working with wood to renovate his home, you may find him hanging in a hammock between two trees enjoying some fresh air.
Derek has been a member of the Client Success team since 2019. He is the voice behind and producer of our PEARS training videos. A lover of high fantasy fiction, he will do anything to get his hands on it; except climb a large tree due to a fear of heights. Also, Lord of the Rings is his favorite (of course).
Thomas graduated in December 2020. He started full-time as a software engineer before transitioning to the role of data analyst. In his free time you may find him taking a run with his dog or reading philosophy.
Chris graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Kansas State University, and is currently doing software engineering at Canopy. His favorite plant is the Sundew because it feeds on bugs.
Joshua has broad experience in both front end development and project management and he enjoys building applications that make people’s lives better. When he’s not working, he is outside, preferably rock climbing.
Weston has been with the team for 3 years, starting as a student software engineer before joining the team full-time. When asked what his favorite tree is, Weston said “probably the Willow because that is the one I remember grinding the most in Runescape.”
Madalyn has 3 years of experience supporting SNAP-Ed and Extension in their use of PEARS. Her favorite houseplant is aloe vera. She identifies with its low-maintenance lifestyle and love of sunshine.
Victor has been working with the Canopy team since he was an undergraduate. He has 5 years of experience in the software industry. Victor’s favorite tree is the White Pine, which is scattered throughout the state of New Hampshire where he currently lives.
Previously employed as a student software engineer, Joshua briefly worked for Cerner before returning to our team full-time in 2021. He enjoys playing video games, reading books, taking walks around his neighborhood, and is also learning to play electric bass in his spare time.
Zane graduated from Kansas State University in December 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science. He’s recently taking up learning golf but spends most of his time just looking for his ball.
Levi graduated from Kansas State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, with a focus in Entrepreneurship. Levi enjoys getting coffee with friends, running, reading classic books, and going on road trips. The easiest way to get Levi talking is to ask for his opinion on The Incredibles II.
Cindy joined the Client Success team in 2023 and brings 10 years of experience in a variety of customer support roles. She enjoys spending time with her family and coffee is the key to her heart. Cindy loves the variety of trees that cover the Flint Hills.
Sara joined Canopy’s Client Success team in 2024. Prior to that, she spent 6 years as Extension faculty, where she worked as a 4-H Educator (Idaho) and a Family and Consumer Science Agent (Montana). Sara grew up in Wyoming and one of her core childhood memories was climbing the big cottonwood tree in her backyard. She enjoys sunny winter days, visiting new places, and printmaking.
Takumi is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Computer Science at Kansas State University. His favorite vacation location is mainland Japan. He also enjoys soccer and playing video games in his spare time.
Sam is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science at K-State. He enjoys mountain biking and camping his free time. He has always been interested in computers, and his favorite fruit is pomegranate.
Alex is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Computer Science at Kansas State University. He loves acapella/vocal music and performs it as a hobby. He also enjoys playing Tetris. For one of his future travel locations, he wants to visit the Crooked Forest in Poland.
Jack is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Computer Science at Kansas State University. In his free time he enjoys Rock Climbing and Camping. His favorite tree has to be a Flowering Dogwood, the state tree of Missouri.
Josh is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science at Kansas State University. He enjoys playing Magic the Gathering and going for runs, someday he wants to compete in a 100-mile race in the Alps.
Tiffani is currently pursuing a degree in Agricultural Communications and Journalism with a minor in Horticulture at Kansas State University. She usually can be found around her family or friends in her free time. Her favorite tree is a Christmas tree because it reminds her of family!