Staff

A long-time KFTC leader, Teri became the first KFTC Fellow in August 2007. Her work focuses on building a strong Canary Project Leadership Network on the range of KFTC coal and energy issues. Teri is from Harlan County and has served in numerous KFTC leadership positions, including chairperson in 2003-04. She is the mother of two grown children and the grandmother of three. She lives in Berea.

Morgan was hired in July 2009 as our first full-time Administrative Assistant. She was born, raised, and still lives in Barbourville, surrounded by her extended family.  Morgan spends her free time with her daughter Kerigan, and husband David. She works out of our London office.

Robin was welcomed to the KFTC staff team in June 2006 as office manager.  Originally from East Tennessee, Robin has lived in Kentucky for 10 years, currently just outside of London with a very special weimaraner named Lucy and five cats.  Robin has a Bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Tennessee and brings more than 20 years of experience and training in office management, specialized administrative skills and community service.

Jessica is our Development Director and is responsible for organizing our grassroots fundraising efforts.  A native of Louisville, she received a degree in sociology from Antioch College.  Jess has a background in non-profit housing issues and social justice organizing.

Jessica became KFTC's Tax and Economic Justice Organizer in  September 2006.  She grew up in south-central Kentucky, graduated from the University of Kentucky, and moved away for a time for school.  She got involved with KFTC in 2004 when she moved back to Kentucky.  Jess lives in Lexington with her husband Shawn, their sons, and too many animals.  Jess helps build statewide support for fair and adequate tax reform, helps local chapters with economic justice work, and is the Deputy Organizing Director for Leadership Development, focusing on the New Power Leader Program.

Amy joined KFTC’s staff team in 2008. As Program Associate, she works with fundraising, communications and administration. She's originally from Letcher County and now lives in Berea with her husband, Mike, and their daughters, Ellie and Claire. When she’s not writing, Amy enjoys watching her daughters on the stage and on the soccer field. Her first book, a novel for children called Callie Rose, was published in 2012.

Erik is our Website Manager/E-Organizer.  He grew up in Corbin and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky.  He was involved with KFTC in a number of different roles as a member before joining the staff and is excited about integrating the website and social mediainto our organizing strategy.  He currently lives in Lexington with his wife and daughter. He spends some of his free time geeking out on sci-fi, playing board games, and helping at his wife's yarn store, Rebelle. He is an accomplished knitter and always willing to teach others.

Kristi joined KFTC’s Organizing Team in 2011. She works from our Prestonsburg office and supports the work of the Floyd and Knott County chapters. Before joining our staff, Kristi worked as a paralegal and was active in our campaign to restore voting rights to former felons. 

Carissa grew up outside of Louisville, in southern Indiana, and joined the KFTC staff team in 2008.  She has a bachelor's degree from Ball State University and a Master's degree in Public Administration from George Mason University, with a concentration in nonprofit management.  She previously worked as a grassroots organizer for Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement where she focused on organizing family farmers and rural residents.  She lives with her husband, Alan, in Louisville and enjoys spending time telling bad jokes, learning how to prepare new recipes in the kitchen, and taking weekend naps on the couch with their 15-year old dog.

Sara joined KFTC's staff in April 2009 as a New Power Campaign Organizer, working to reform Kentucky's rural electric cooperatives and move them toward more energy efficiency and clean energy. Originally from West Virginia, she now lives in Berea. Sara holds a Ph.D. in creative writing from Florida State University and is working on publishing her first book of poetry.

Heather grew up on a farm in Lewis County, Kentucky and graduated from the University of Louisville more years ago than she'd like to admit.  She came to KFTC in 2005 after working for seven years at Democracy Resource Center, first as project coordinator, then as co-director. She works closely with the Executive Director, helps with foundation fundraising, provides administrative oversight for KFTC, and staffs several of our leadership teams including the Steering Committee, Executive Committee, and Finance Committee.  She lives in Lexington with her son, Kaden.