Staff and Board

  • A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, blue eyes, wearing a blue blouse and a silver necklace with a pendant, smiling outdoors.

    Kelly Hart

    Executive Director

    828-595-0755

    Kelly provides leadership to the Literacy Connection team, ensuring that we continue to transform lives by cultivating literacy skills that promote economic and social success.

  • A smiling woman with dark brown hair, wearing a light gray blazer, gold hoop earrings, a black shirt, and a gold necklace with a pendant.

    Alma Garcia

    Program Coordinator

    828-513-0720

    Alma supports the students in our English Language Acquisition and Citizenship programs on their journeys to economic and social success.

  • Smiling woman with long white hair, wearing a red top, in front of a neutral background.

    Tina FireWolf

    Curriculum & Training Coordinator

    828-278-8026

    Tina recruits, trains and supports the volunteer tutors in our English Language Acquisition program as they cultivate our students’ literacy skills.

  • Vannesa Castorena-Elms

    Enrichment Program Coordinator

    828-278-7877

    Vannesa creates meaningful enrichment opportunities for our students so they can practice the skills they are learning to prepare to use them confidently in the community.

Board of Directors

Program Year 2026/27

Gail Garren
President
Retired, Risk and Safety Management, UNC Health Pardee

Dr. David Ellis
Past President
Retired Chief Medical Officer, UNC Health Pardee

Eduardo Trevino
Vice President
Owner, Kanuga Tire and Auto

Erica Woodall
Treasurer
Assistant Director, Smart Start Partnership for Children

Susie Salazar
Secretary
Circulation Manager, Henderson County Public Library

Stephanie Bailey
Business Development Officer, First Bank

Kirsten Bunch
Vice President of Student Services, Blue Ridge Community College

Olga Escobar
Case Management Supervisor, Henderson County Department of Public Health

Lauren Keplinger
Community Member

Denise Cumbee Long
Literacy Connection Tutor Representative

Jenny Moreno
Retired Principal, Henderson County Public Schools

Magali Perales
Scheduling Coordinator, Noble Pest Solutions

Abbey Peterson
Attorney, Atlas Law Center

Michelle Tracz
Retired Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)