Jen Langdon Ramming
Executive Director
Education: University of Vermont - BA Sociology and Mass Communications
Seeing a student wake up to their own potential is one of the greatest things I’ve ever witnessed. I believe every kid needs at least one adult who believes in them, unconditionally, and that every child has a gift this world needs. If we can help them identify and grow that gift, we all benefit. I feel honored and privileged to work with our students and their families and pray that one of them comes back to lead OpenDoors someday!
Katherine Fleer
Director of Impact and Program Excellence
kfleer@opendoorsasheville.org
Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A. Psychology and Political Science. Harvard Graduate School of Education, M.Ed.
Katherine is from North Carolina and has worked in the field of early learning (birth-3rd grade) as a program director and consultant for sixteen years in Georgia, Massachusetts and Washington, DC. Early on, she was a communications skills instructor for middle school students and a college admissions counselor at a private university. Throughout, Katherine has led with research, evidenced-based practices and cultural and community context to promote program quality. She has significant experience assessing interventions and student progress using valid and reliable assessment tools.
Katherine came to OpenDoors because the focus is to partner with Black students, their families, and the community to ensure access to the high-quality education each student deserves and to thrive. This is right for students and the community-at-large.
Megan Martell
Program Director
Megan grew up in Miami, Florida and has called Asheville home since 2003. Before joining OpenDoors, she served for 5 years as Executive Director at Odyssey School, where she was hired as a middle school language arts teacher in 2011. Megan has worked with students from preschool through college, teaching in classrooms for 13 years. She studied creative writing and child development at Pitzer College in Claremont, California, and graduated from UNC-Asheville with her teaching license and a degree in literature and language. She is a dedicated lifelong learner and is passionate about advocating for and guiding students as they discover, pursue, and create positive change for themselves and our world.
Keith D. Knox
Enrichment Program Coordinator
Kknoxjr@opendoorsasheville.org
Tia Searles
Program Assistant
tsearles@opendoorsasheville.org
Education: Current Student at AB Tech
I see the good in the OpenDoors mission and everything they are doing. I want to be apart of building these support systems for local students so they can be successful.
Lauren Simms
Sustainability Program Coordinator
lsimms@opendoorsasheville.org
Nancy Abernethy
Communications Coordinator
nabernethy@opendoorsasheville.org
Education: University of Richmond, B.A. Psychology. Western Carolina University, M.A.Ed. School Counseling
Starting in 2009 I have served in many different capacities for OpenDoors while working alongside students, families, staff, and community partners. Through this rewarding work I witness everyday transformations when race-based barriers and inequities are removed and when students get the support and resources they need to thrive. I feel honored to know our students and their families and to be a part of this amazing OpenDoors community!
Allison Chapman
Development Officer
achapman@opendoorsasheville.org
Alie Guilford
Development Officer
aguilford@opendoorsasheville.org
Courtney Hamner
Director of Finance
chamner@opendoorsasheville.org
Education: University of Florida, B.S. Business Administration
I moved to Asheville in 2005 as a stay-at-home mom after leaving the world of advertising in Atlanta and New York. I volunteered in the classroom as often as possible and saw first-hand the different education systems that allowed some children to thrive while others struggled year after year. Changing school systems so all students can thrive moves too slowly and kids grow too quickly. I joined OpenDoors because like Ninjas we work outside the system, moving stealthily behind the scenes removing barriers that get in the way of our students’ success.
Melissa Moses
Office Coordinator
mmoses@opendoorsasheville.org
Education: NC State University, BS Interpersonal Communication
It inspires me to see our students succeed, breaking past generational barriers and striving toward a better future. For 10 years I worked supporting local nonprofits that serve juveniles. Through that work I saw the great need we have in our community. OpenDoors is literally opening doors of opportunity for children in our area. OpenDoors emcompasses around the students and their families supporting them along the journey. It is a great honor to be a part of this mission of hope.
Kelsey Simmons
NextSteps Housing Coordinator
Education: UNC Charlotte; BA
The existence of generational wealth is a key component to creating strong African American families, advocating for our students reinforces this reality.
Renay Winston
Human Resources
Education: Summa Cum Laude, BA, Saint Leo University
Dosty Quarrier
On Sabbatical, returning August 2021!
dquarrier@opendoorsasheville.org
Education: University of Georgia, B.A. Social Work, Notre Dame de Namur: M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy
I believe that education is the anecdote to poverty, and every child deserves to have someone in their life who advocates for them, every step of the way. I love being apart of a team that is working to help level the playing field for children growing up in under-resourced circumstances.
