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  • She/her

    Jen earned her Sociology and Mass Communications degree from University of Vermont and has additional certifications in Nonprofit Leadership from Duke, Equity and Inclusion from Cornell, and extensive training in cross cultural communications and trauma informed practices.

    Jen began advocating for students from historically marginalized communities in the Asheville area in 2005.

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  • She/her

    A SUNY Potsdam graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education, Meg has over 15 years of fundraising experience across both the political and nonprofit sectors. Raised in a family of educators, she’s especially passionate about educational equity—having seen firsthand how, with a community of support and advocacy, students can truly thrive.

    Outside the office, Meg enjoys gardening, baking, biking, and spending time with her crew of beloved pets.

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  • She/her

    Nancy graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Richmond and earned her Masters of Education in Counseling from Western Carolina University. Working with OpenDoors since it’s inception, Nancy has also served as Board Secretary, Board Chair, Team Leader, and Education Liaison for OpenDoors.

    Pretty much a native Ashevillian having lived here since 1994, Nancy practiced as an elementary school counselor in the early 2000’s, owned a business in Biltmore Village for a decade, and now balances communications and graphic design with chasing down her Brady Bunch family of nine, while loving the mountains of WNC.

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  • She/her

    Cory Adams has lived in Asheville since 1997 and is a graduate of Warren Wilson College. She has served as the High School Director at Odyssey School in Montford, supporting students in the college readiness process before becoming the Executive Director of Odyssey for a total of 15 years of service; pre-K through 12. As a non-profit leader, Cory has created culturally relevant curriculum with programming that passed an organizational 'equity audit’ with gold stars. Cory is especially interested in progressive styles of leadership and strategies that mitigate trauma and support diversity and inclusion.

    Most recently Cory completed the College Counseling certificate through UCLA to better support OpenDoors’ teens and young adults as they move To & Through college and career paths.

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  • She/her

    Dricana attended both UNC Greensboro and AB Tech, and has over seven years of experience in event coordination, social media marketing and website design. She graduated high school with some of OpenDoors' first students and is passionate about ensuring equitable education for all students in Asheville.

    In addition to her side gigs as an herbalist, doula and florist, she loves to cook, dig in her garden and spend time with her husband and their three cats.

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  • She/her

    As a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Katherine’s career in education has centered on creating equitable and inclusive educational opportunities for all students in collaboration with families and mission-aligned community stakeholders. At OpenDoors, she delivers academic and enrichment programs that build upon the unique needs, strengths, and experiences of every student.

    Katherine places high value on building partnerships with families as they bring deep knowledge of their children' needs, strengths and cultural background.

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  • She/her

    Kishaun Green, a Chattanooga native, has dedicated her life to education and community service. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina at Asheville before beginning her career in financial services and later teaching middle school students. Her volunteer work with children revealed her true calling—empowering young people through education, which led her to fully embrace a career in teaching. After marrying, she returned to Asheville with her husband, Keith, where they have raised their two children, Kennedi and Tobias. Kishaun also took on the rewarding role of homeschooling, instilling in her children a love for learning and strong values.

    Now serving as Middle School Director for grades 6–9, Kishaun oversees student intakes, enrichment programming, and literacy initiatives, ensuring that each student is supported academically and personally. She is passionate about building strong connections, fostering leadership, and providing meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family, always guided by her belief in the power of education to transform lives.

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  • She/her

    Tysh is lovingly considered "the glue" at OpenDoors. She's served in many roles over the years, always ready to jump into whatever needs to be done to ensure OpenDoors is successful. She loves to be hands-on and has primarily worked directly with students and families, who adore her!

    She is currently enrolled to get her high school diploma. Once that is completed, she is interested in pursuing Marketing or Cosmetology.

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  • She/her

    Courtney graduated from The University of Florida with a degree in Business Administration with a focus in Finance.

    Courtney enjoys mountain biking, hiking with her dogs, and just being outdoors.

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  • She/her

    Jordan is a dedicated education professional with over nine years of experience in urban school and educational settings, specializing in elementary instruction and afterschool programming. She holds a Masters of Science in Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins University and spent five years teaching in the public school system in Washington, DC. In her current role as K-5 Program Director, she is able to combine her passion for equity, innovation, and hands-on learning to serve students and families in her beloved hometown.

    When she's not at work, you can find her biking, gardening or dancing.

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  • She/her

    Jasmine has consistently dedicated her time to the Asheville community working primarily with non-profit organizations, trying to close the gaps to access and resources. She began her relationship with OpenDoors Asheville in 2011 as a student who needed additional guidance and encouragement to help continue her education, and she has been involved in numerous ways ever since.

    She plans to continue her education until there is no more to learn. OpenDoors has been essential to her journey by pushing her to accomplishing her goals and helping create a sustainable life for her growing family.

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  • He/him

    JaZe’l is stretching his wings with his education.

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  • She/her

    A steadfast optimist, Katie has spent over 25 years in the nonprofit world as an attorney, volunteer, board member, and grant writer. Sharing OpenDoors’ stories with funders and finding new ways to support community collaborations brings her joy and hope.

    When she's not falling down the thesaurus rabbit hole, you can find her playing cards, solving puzzles, or exploring WNC with her family.

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  • She/her

    Redora Vance is a proud native of Asheville, NC, and serves as a Lead Transportation Associate with over 13 years of experience in safely transporting and supporting children. Her commitment to safety, reliability, and kindness has made her a valued presence in the lives of students and their families.

    Outside of work, Redora enjoys listening to music, reading, spending time with friends, and visiting the beach- her favorite place to unwind.

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  • He/him