Sumner Smith
Chair of the Board
BA English Literature, JD
Sumner is a native of Asheville who returned in 2003 after practicing corporate law in Charlotte for several years. Following her career as an attorney, she now owns her own business as a jewelry designer. She has personally mentored an OpenDoors child since 2009, and enjoys channeling her legal background, community involvement and personal relationship with OpenDoors into its mission of investing in children and breaking the cycle of poverty.
Jen Ramming
Board Vice Chair and Executive Director
BA Sociology, Public Relations
Jen has been a Development Director and Major Donor Specialist for several nonprofits including the Vermont Natural Resources Council and the YWCA of Minneapolis. She has served on the boards for Women Helping Battered Women, Woodswomen, OurVOICE, Buncombe County Medical Society Alliance, and currently serves on the Board of Children First. Jen also has experience in Sales, Advertising and Marketing, but left her for-profit days behind when she founded OpenDoors, in partnership with Kendra Sherrod, in 2009.
Monica Koerschner
Treasurer
Nancy McClinton
Secretary
MAEd in School Counseling
Nancy moved to Asheville in 1994 after graduating from The University of Richmond with a B.A. in Psychology. In 1997 she completed her graduate work with a M.A.Ed. in School Counseling. Following an internship at Sand Hill Venable Elementary and 3 years working as a school counselor at Brevard Elementary, Nancy changed careers by buying The Baggie Goose, a paper and stationery store in Biltmore Village. Ten years later Nancy left the paper store and is currently active as a full time mom to her 3 daughters and as an OpenDoors volunteer.
Shaunda Avery
BSW
As a social worker with Community Action Opportunities in the Life Works program, she helps adults set goals and take steps to improve their lives and strengthen their families.
Jotwan Daniels
BA in Management Information Systems
Has been teaching high school Social Studies and coaching soccer at Asheville High School for 7 years. Received “Teacher of the Year Award”. International work experience in Denmark, Japan and China.
Leslie Ann Huntley
BA English Literature, MAEd Secondary Education, BA Interior Design
Seeta Kan
Bachelors in Education
11 years experience teaching Math and Chemistry in public schools in Jamaica and England. Presently teaching Math at Asheville High. Awarded “Teacher of the Year” in 2010 by Godfrey Stewart High School, Jamaica.
Stephen E. Ryan, MD
MD in Internal Medicine, BS degree in Mechanical Engineering
Internal Medicine Hospital Based Physician for Mission Hospitals. Also an adult league soccer player and youth coach.
Kendra Sherrod
BA English, German
Kendra has ten years experience in Public Relations and Marketing and eight years in nonprofit experience, mostly in writing and marketing for an international development organization called World Neighbors.
Kidada Holloway Wynn
Photography by Katherine Brooks.
