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.

  • A woman with short, curly gray hair smiling in an indoor setting with people in the background.

    Denise Cumbee Long

    Special Project Coordinator

    Denise collaborates with community partners to coordinate special literacy projects, proving that together, we can transform lives through the power of literacy.

  • 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 2024/25

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

Eduardo Trevino
Immediate Past President
Owner, Kanuga Tire and Auto

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

David Maupin
Secretary
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

Erica Woodall
Treasurer
Assistant Director, Smart Start Partnership for Children

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

Carrie Ann Chandler
Realtor, EXP Realty / Small Business Owner, Guardian Property Services

Christa Hemans
Literacy Connection Volunteer Tutor Representative

Abbey Peterson
Attorney, Atlas Law Center

Michelle Reynolds
Administrative Director, UNC Health Pardee

Susie Salazar
Circulation Manager, Henderson County Public Library

Paulina Weaver
Branch Manager, Self-Help Credit Union