Introducing Kevin Castaneda, Our New Manager of Operations and Executive Support!
We are thrilled to introduce you to our newest team member, Kevin Castaneda! Get to know Kevin and his journey to Moonshot below.
introducing KEVIN
As Manager of Operations and Executive Support at Moonshot edVentures, Kevin is passionate about building relationships and community. He plays a key role in supporting the CEO and leadership team while also overseeing the daily operations of The Station coworking space, serving as the point of contact for staff and coworking members. With a background in creative arts, community engagement, and customer service, Kevin ensures that everything at Moonshot and The Station runs efficiently and inclusively. He thrives on creating an environment where creativity, collaboration, and equity are at the forefront, organizing and facilitating events that foster a strong, engaged community.
His professional experience spans the healthcare and service industries, where he gained valuable skills in customer service, team leadership, and logistics. Kevin maintains a strong connection with Ednium: The Alumni Collective, a community network of Denver Public Schools alums, which has shaped his approach to supporting community engagement, mentorship, and cultural development.
A proud Chicano from Denver, Colorado, Kevin enjoys hiking, roller skating, attending concerts, and expressing himself through music, performance, and art. His commitment to personal and professional growth is a guiding principle in everything he does.
What is a project that you are especially excited to work on during your first year at Moonshot? Why?
I am super excited to help build a thriving social communal space at The Station! I see so much potential there, and I want it to be more than a workspace for community.
Many Moonshot Fellows have made The Station their home. I want to make sure it’s not just for a good time, but for a long time! Brushing shoulders and sharing a building with so many wonderful people, ideas and connections are bound to happen! I can’t wait to see this become a wonderful place for tenants, community members, and give other aligned people and orgs a place to call home.
“To me, Moonshot is about showing up as our full, authentic selves and creating room for others to do the same. ”
What is a local and/or small business that you love?
I grew up in west Denver/Valverde and my favorite spot ever has to be the Vinh Xuong Bakery (Google Maps pin here + Instagram here)! The son of the original owners has always been so kind, and the quality of the coffee, food, and pastries continues to impress. This business has been around for well over my lifetime and the same family is still running the bakery today. A bahn mi, pork bun, and a lavender milk tea is the star of my dream afternoon.
What is a piece of media that you think is inspiring that the Moonshot community at-large might enjoy?
The 2024 film Queer, directed by Luca Guadagnino and based on a 1985 novella by William S. Burroughs., stood out to me because, even though I’m not an avid reader or a podcast listener, I found myself drawn to its raw storytelling and representation. It’s a bold, unapologetic piece that explores identity in ways I feel may resonate with many in the Moonshot community. I was so moved by this film that as soon as the credits rolled I immediately ran to my socials to recommend the watch. I wrote, “A theatrical snapshot of queer longing, love and loss. You are fully immersed in a swirling dreamy environment where tangible and intimate moments transcend the reality written.”
Outside of work, what do you enjoy getting up to?
Enjoying Live Music
Cousin Lauren and I at one of the best Red Rocks shows (Jungle!) ever!
Skating!
This photo is from 2021 — I had just finished skating the Platt River Trail. I challenged myself to roller skate as often as I could over that summer to get my wheels on 100 times.
What does Moonshot’s mission and vision mean to you? How does it personally resonate with you, your experiences, and your identity?
I’m still finding my way in community spaces, but growing up with my mom and grandma doing social work deeply shaped how I see the world. Their work showed me that healing, care, and connection can happen in quiet, simple ways. Through a warm meal, a listening ear, or a helping hand whenever the opportunity arises, I was taught to lead with my heart full and open.
For me, Moonshot’s mission feels like a natural extension of that legacy. It’s about showing up as our full, authentic selves and creating room for others to do the same. It’s about making space for fun and laughter, even when life feels heavy. It’s about honoring our shared humanity, knowing that each of our journeys is unique but interconnected.
I’m learning to hold space for complexity, for light and shadow. To show up with a spirit of curiosity, knowing we’re all part of something bigger than ourselves. I believe that real change happens when we see each other as human, each of us molded by our knowledge and experiences though connected to a greater whole.
That’s what Moonshot’s mission means to me.