Board of Directors
The volunteers who make up the Partnership’s Board of Directors come from diverse backgrounds and bring a range of expertise to the table.
Members work with health care providers, government offices, schools, and faith organizations. They are educators, community organizers, mental health experts, and nonprofit and business leaders. All are passionate about giving kids the very best start in life and advocate for young children at every turn.
2023-2024 Board Officers
Carmen Ybarra, Chair
Just Economics
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: We need to invest in children because we, as adults, have a responsibility to them, to our world, and to our future. We need to do what we can do today to share our own light and to nurture happy, healthy and successful children.
• Favorite activities: Photography, writing, hiking with my dog, yoga, and working with children
• Favorite children’s book: My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
Erin Leonard, Vice-Chair
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: I believe we should give all children the best possible start in life so they can reach their individual potential, thrive in life and someday lead our community.
• Favorite activities: hiking, reading, doing art and science projects with my kids
• Favorite children’s book: Some favorites include the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems, the Mercy Watson books by Kate DiCamillo and Epossamundas Plays Possum by Colleen Salley
Natasha Adwaters, Secretary
Children First/Communities in Schools
I believe we should #InvestinKids because they are deserving of every opportunity to reach their fullest potential and their success is ultimately an investment in our future.
Activities: Spending time with family and friends, exploring Western North Carolina, reading, dancing and yoga.
Favorite Children’s Book: Oh the Places You’ll Go!
Phillip Hardin, Treasurer
Buncombe County Department of Health & Human Services
• I believe we should #investinkids because: They are our future and we should do everything possible to ensure their success.
2023-2024 Members
Mary Arnold
Community Action Opportunities
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: Doing so is vital to strengthen not only them individually, but also our community.
• Favorite activities: Hiking, trying new restaurants, enjoying all that Asheville has to offer, activities related to water
• Favorite children’s book: The Monster at the End of This Book
Turkessa Baten
Verner Center for Early Learning
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: I agree with Bettina Love. She says that "schools mirror our society; therefore, if we want a better society then we must teach children to question what is and what has always been in order to have a society that includes those individuals who have been historically denied access, opportunity and habitually oppressed."
• Favorite activities: Track walking & spending time with family
• Favorite children’s book: Have I Ever Told You? by Shani King
Brandon Becker
DMJPS PLLC
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: I think early childhood is the most important phase of human development, and return on investment in this stage has proven to be extremely high.
• Favorite activities: Traveling, hiking, reading, playing sports
• Favorite children’s book: Phantom Tollbooth
Deborah Calhoun
United Way of Asheville-Buncombe County
I believe we should #InvestinKids because they are deserving of every opportunity to reach their fullest potential and their success is ultimately an investment in our future.
Activities: Spending time with family and friends, exploring Western North Carolina, reading, dancing and yoga.
Favorite Children’s Book: Oh the Places You’ll Go!
Karen Cowan
Brandi Nichole Family Enrichment Center
• I believe we should #InvestinKids because: Children are the living message we send to a time we will not see- Neil Postman
• Favorite activities: Theatre and film
• Favorite children’s book:Pippi Longstocking & Freddie the Pig
Dr. Joseph Fox
Fox Management Consulting Enterprises, LLC
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: the building block for establishing social and emotional stability starts at birth. If we are not investing in the front end, we will invest in nonproductive ways on the back end.
• Favorite activities: Hiking
• Favorite children’s book: Watership Down
Pastor Spencer Hardaway
Rock Hill Missionary Church
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: Children are a blessing and a heritage from the Lord
• Favorite activities: Reading, outdoors, chess
• Favorite children’s book: Green Eggs and Ham
Anne Marie Lester
Children’s Developmental Services Agency
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: Children are our future. We need to nurture our children so they can reach their potential
• Favorite activities: Walking, reading, watching my son play baseball
• Favorite children’s book: Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton
Christine Malloy
Community Volunteer
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because:They are our future and deserve quality and opportunities for success
• Favorite activities: Gardening, Spending time with family, advocating for children, hiking, spending time with my two dogs
• Favorite children’s book: Oh the Places You Will Go, Dr. Seuss
Susan Peele
Community Volunteer
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: Children are our future and should be our inspiration. They provide us with a perspective often not realized by adults.
• Favorite activities: Traveling, Gardening, Mah Jongg and Time with Grandchildren
• Favorite children’s books:Chicka-Chicka Boom Boom
Rachel Shelton
Children First/Communities in Schools
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: When we take care of kids and families, we’ll build a happy, healthier, stronger community
• Favorite activities: I love hiking, cooking, and camping with my family.
• Favorite children’s book: The Invisible String
Andrea Storck
Storck CPA, P.C.
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: I believe that by investing in children we are not only investing in them, but in our own future as well.
• Favorite activities: Riding my bike, doing crafts with my daughter, and being outside with my family.
• Favorite children’s book: If You Come to Earth by Sophie Blackall
Jewel Tavener
Community Volunteer
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: We have a responsibility to encourage and nurture creativity, compassion, critical thinking, and joy in the next generation. They are our future problem-solvers. "The solutions to adult problems tomorrow depends in large measure upon how children grow up today." - Margaret Mead
• Favorite activities: Reading, playing board games with my husband and kids, traveling, volunteering and bellydancing
• Favorite children’s books: Pete the Cat:I Love My White Shoes" by James Dean and Eric Litwin, "Runny Babbit" by Shel Silverstein, "Fortunately, the Milk" by Neil Gaiman
April Wright
Blue Ridge Community College
• I believe we should #InvestInKids because: Why you believe we should Invest in kids: If not us, who?
• Favorite activities: Reading, boating, working and observing children take ownership of learning!
• Favorite children’s book:The Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood is among my favorites!
Get In Touch
53 Asheland Avenue Suite 102A
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: 828-285-9333
Fax: 828-285-9933
