Rising Together
We bring together people, ideas, and resources to strengthen communities and encourage philanthropy. When you partner with us, you are working with a team of professionals who have deep community connections and decades of experience in philanthropy. More than that, you’re partnering with people whose hearts and homes reside in Appalachia.
Staff
Kristin Walker Collins is the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky (Foundation) in Hazard, Kentucky, the only nationally accredited community foundation in southeastern Kentucky. Before starting her career in philanthropy, Kristin worked as an attorney specializing in Family Law and Municipal Law with the law firm of Hollon & Collins.
Kristin is active in many community activities including serving as Vice-President of the Hazard-Perry County Chamber of Commerce, and serving as Board Chair of the Appalachian Early Childhood Network. She is the founder and President of the Hazard Rotary Club Foundation, Inc., which operates the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Perry County, Kentucky, a program providing a free book a month to children under the age of five. In addition to serving on the Appalachia Funders Network Steering Committee, she is a member of the Appalachian Cradle to Career Coalition, Chair of the Endow Kentucky Commission, and a Trustee for Philanthropy Southeast.
In her (little) free time, she enjoys traveling the world, quilting, visiting with family and friends, and reading. Kristin resides in Hazard, Kentucky with her husband, Jonathan, a local attorney, and their daughters, Palmer and Piper.
Katie Bowling is the Financial Accountant for the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked in retail operations management and manufacturing. Katie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and Energy Applications from Lindsey Wilson College in 2017 and a Master of Accountancy with an emphasis in data analytics/data visualization from Northern Kentucky University in 2022. Katie believes working for the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment that extends far beyond the office walls.
Katie currently lives in London, KY with her wife Nikki. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, working on her farm, hiking, golfing, and playing pickleball.
Kathy King Allen is the Chief Community Officer for the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. Kathy has spent her entire career focused on making positive contributions to the community and working to create opportunities for many in our region. She believes the best days lie ahead for Appalachian Kentucky and promotes positive attributes of our region throughout her travels and through networking. In her role at the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, Kathy has been instrumental in the development of geographic affiliate community foundations created to support local causes that improve the health and well-being of residents and the communities.
Kathy serves on various boards and committees including One East Kentucky, Appalachian Early Childhood Network, East Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross, Baptist Learning Center Committee, and the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce. Kathy is a graduate of the University of Louisville – College of Business. Kathy and her husband Robert live in Prestonsburg and have two grown sons, Rob and Wil.
Jenna Rose serves as a Communications Officer at the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. She was raised in Whitley County and has a passion for Eastern Kentucky and its people.
Prior to her current role, Jenna served as the Project Manager Fellow for Invest 606. She graduated from University of the Cumberlands with a Bachelor of Science in Communications and a Bachelor of Science in Christian Studies.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephew, traveling, reading, and party planning. Jenna is excited to use her skills to help make a positive impact on the region she calls home.
Kristyn Densmore-Smith serves as the Lending and Finance Associate for the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky.
Before joining the Foundation, Kristyn was the Executive Director of CASA of the Appalachian Mountains, where she advocated for children in the court system who had experienced abuse, neglect, or dependency. Through that work, Kristyn discovered her passion for strengthening and supporting the community she calls home.
Kristyn is also a licensed attorney, an active member of Combs Baptist Church, and a proud participant in the Hazard Lions Club. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and newborn, visiting her family, experimenting with new recipes, and diving into a good book—she’s always open to recommendations.
Erica Meadows is the Chief Operating Officer of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. She is a lifelong native of the Appalachian region with a passion for rural communities and a heart for service. Her background includes an array of industries including banking, grant accounting, talent acquisition, finance, and community engagement. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s in criminal justice and earned a master’s degree in communications from Morehead State University. Erica currently serves as a board member of the Redbud Financial Alternatives and serves as the Chair of their finance committee.
In her spare time, Erica loves taking naps, reading, and spending time with her friends, family, and husband, Ryan. Her passions include animals, music, Disney, and helping others. She currently lives in Hazard, KY with her dog Lucy and her two cats Ollie and Tigger.
Amelia Kirby is the director of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky’s Sycamore Project. She has a twenty five-year career in Appalachian social justice. At community media center Appalshop, she co-founded and co-directed the nationally recognized Thousand Kites and Calls from Home media projects addressing the prison industrial complex, and the documentary film Up the Ridge. In addition to her work as a media producer, Amelia served as the development director at the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, a non-profit law firm providing free legal work for people impacted by the extraction industries of the Appalachian coalfields and was the co-owner of Summit City Lounge, a bar and live music venue in the coalfields community of Whitesburg, KY.
Amelia has served on a variety of regional and national boards, including the Highlander Research and Education Center and the Appalachian Community Fund. Amelia’s work has been covered by National Public Radio, the New York Times, The Guardian and The American Prospect, among others. She has a master’s degree in social work with a clinical concentration on gender-based violence intervention from Virginia Commonwealth University. In her free time Amelia likes to cook, work jigsaw puzzles, and take long walks with her unruly dog.
Kaitlyn Moyers is the Financial Operations Analyst at the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. She is a proud Berea College graduate, where she earned a degree in Psychology and worked in both the Continuous Improvement Office and the Psychology Department. Kaitlyn thrives on streamlining processes and developing clear, effective policies and procedures—it’s truly her specialty.
Her perfect day begins with a trip to the Berea Farmers Market, followed by coffee and bagels from Native Bagel, and a leisurely browse at the Taleless Dog Bookstore alongside her husband, Micah. When she’s not spending time with friends and family, Kaitlyn enjoys reading, sewing, and relaxing with her two beloved cats, Cassie and Beau.
Lacie DeGough is a Communications Officer for the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. She graduated from University of the Cumberlands with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts and a Bachelor of Science in English.
While in college, Lacie served as a Communication Specialist Intern for the Foundation. She is excited to take the next step in her career and continue to serve Eastern Kentucky in her position as Communications Officer!
Lacie currently lives in London, Kentucky. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and crocheting.
Ketaki is the Nonprofit Support Specialist at the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky.
Previously, Ketaki served as the Director of Business Support Services at Mountain Association, a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) supporting small businesses and nonprofits. In this role, she designed and launched a suite of services grounded in collaborative and trauma-informed principles to provide comprehensive business support. She also led the development of program policies and procedures, a five-year strategic plan, and the annual budget and work plan. Under her leadership, the program expanded from one to four staff members.
Kaylie Miller is the Scholarship Director at the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. After years of working in the manufacturing industry, Kaylie found her passion at the Foundation where she works with students pursuing their educational goals and the donors who want to help them achieve these goals through scholarships.
In her free time, Kaylie enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants, exercise, and spending quality time with friends, her fiancé, Alec, and their cats and dog.
As one of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky’s Community Engagement Officers, Tammy brings over 25 years of experience in serving and supporting her community. She is deeply committed to making a difference and has had the privilege of serving on numerous committees and boards throughout the years. She currently serves on the Hazard-Perry County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Hazard Rotary, the Appalachian Center for Assistive Technology Advisory Board, and the Perry County Fair Board, among others.
Before joining the Foundation, Tammy spent 16 wonderful years at Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky as the Community Outreach Coordinator, where she built lasting relationships and connected with people and resources.
Tammy is proud to call this region home. She loves watching the community grow and thrive, and she is passionate about helping it reach its full potential. She’s married to Taylor, and together they have three amazing children, one beautiful grandchild, and two beloved pets—Bruno the dog and Bella the cat.
When she’s not working or volunteering, you can find Tammy enjoying time with family and friends, indulging in a little retail therapy, cooking, singing, soaking up the sunshine, or attending church.
Matthew Kenneth Benedict is the Community Development Coordinator VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) for the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky (Foundation) in Hazard, Kentucky. Matthew’s service term ends in December of 2025, and in the intervening time they seek to grow community influence in solar development decisions in the region through a community benefits agreement on the Starfire Renewable Power Project.
Matthew came to serve as a VISTA in order to embody more of the altruism they see in others serving their communities. Before joining the Foundation, Matthew studied Energy Policy and Management at Western Washington University Bellingham.
They currently live in Hazard, KY and enjoy playing musical instruments, rock climbing, as well as creating small characters with needle felting.
Board of Directors
Brittany Adams
Chief Financial Officer – Kentucky River Medical Center
John Bowman
Kentucky Senior Campaign Organizer – Dream.Org
Randy Craft
Community Outreach Coordinator – Advent Health
Sam Keathley
Sr. Workforce Analyst – Kentucky Center for Statistics
Bailey Richards
Director of Business Support – Mountain Association
Dr. Danielle Bocook
Physician – Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky
Kendra Calhoun
Chief Operating Officer – Boys & Girls Club of Appalachia
Al Cross
Professor Emeritus of Journalism – University of Kentucky School of Journalism
Danny Maggard
Emeritus – Founding Board Chair (retired)
Angelika Weaver
Entrepreneur, Good Stewardship Counseling
Melissa Bond
Community Arts Extension Program Leader – UK Blueprint Kentucky
Corey Chesnut
Chief Banking Officer – Hometown Bank of Corbin
Jeffery Justice
President/CEO – Pine Mountain Partnership
Casey Michalovic
Attorney – AppalReD Legal Services
Janet Smith
Agent – Kentucky Farm Bureau
