OpenDoors of Asheville

Breaking the cycle of poverty through education, one child at a time.

Our Staff

Jen Langdon Ramming

Executive Director


Education: University of Vermont - BA Sociology and Mass Communications

With OpenDoors since: Inception - Co-Founder

Why did you choose OpenDoors? 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!

Courtney Hamner

Director of Finance


Education: University of Florida, B.S. Business Administration

With OpenDoors since: 2013

Why did you choose OpenDoors? I am inspired by the resilience of children who continue to strive toward success against the odds.

Nancy Abernethy

Education Coordinator


Education: University of Richmond, B.A. Psychology. Western Carolina University, M.A.Ed. School Counseling

With OpenDoors since: 2009

Why did you choose OpenDoors? I am always inspired by the courage and growth that I see in our students and within our OpenDoors community. I believe that a whole child education is the way to break the cycle of poverty, and as our Education Liaison, I work to solidify school relationships and help eliminate educational barriers and inequities, so that our students can have the opportunity to thrive!

Dosty Quarrier

Development Director


Education: University of Georgia, B.A. Social Work, Notre Dame de Namur: M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy

With OpenDoors since: 2012

Why did you choose OpenDoors? 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.

Kelsey Simmons

Program Coordinator


Education: UNC Charlotte; BA

With OpenDoors since: 2019

Why did you choose OpenDoors? The existence of generational wealth is a key component to creating strong African American families, advocating for our students reinforces this reality.

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.

Renay Winston

Renay Winston

Human Resources


Education: Summa Cum Laude, BA, Saint Leo University

With OpenDoors since: August 2020

Tia Searles

Program Assistant


Education: Current Student at AB Tech

With OpenDoors since: With OpenDoors since 2010

“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.”

Melissa Moses

Office Coordinator


Education: NC State University, BS Interpersonal Communication

“Behind every supported child is an uplifted family which in turn, positively impacts our community. In the process of OpenDoors bridging gaps and meeting specific needs for each individual child, our community and families are being encouraged, and generational barriers are being broken.”

Matthew Johnson

Development Associate


Education: AB Tech, Sustainable Technologies

“I believe in hope and that we provide that for local children in our community”

Photography by Katherine Brooks.