Staff

Taylor is working as an Organizer Apprentice in the eastern Kentucky region. Before joining the KFTC team, she studied History and Appalachian Studies at the University of Kentucky and spent three years serving as an AmeriCorps Service Member in West Virginia and Kentucky. She enjoys reading, finding a good swimming hole, and spending time with her dog, Loretta, and her cat, Biscuit. Taylor currently resides in Knott County."

Chandra is a queer Chicanx community organizer, plant lover and pup cuddler. She is continually learning the ways in which her mind and body are valuable beyond capitalistic notions of productivity. Chandra knows that embodying collective liberation is not just an end-goal, it is a process. She empowers people to engage in that process, so that together we can realize a more just, sustainable, and loving world.

Tayna Fogle is a mother of two young men, a grandmother of eight, and a basketball player extraordinaire. In order to stand up for the issues that were important to her family, she had to bravely defend against harsh drug sentencing policies and learn to navigate bureaucratic mazes to regain her right to vote. Tayna has created Re-entry programs, trainings and ministries in many Kentucky counties. She has been a motivational speaker and community activist, Developer and past Instructor of “Steppin To A New Beat” and the Re-entry/Employment Specialist for Ex-Offenders. Tayna has empowered others for 11 years with the Kentuckians For The Commonwealth as she volunteered, worked on campaigns for the right to vote. She is a former felon that paid her debt to society.  She was the captain of a SEC championship basketball team at the University of Kentucky in 1982. She is also a former drug abuser. She spent several years in prison. She believes that her story has inspired and motivated many citizens to take part in this movement of restoring an individual’s self esteem, dignity, and self respect. 

I have been blessed to work for Kentuckians for the Commonwealth in Northern Kentucky since 2010, and with the Rolling Bluegrass chapter since 2013. If you share our commitment to justice and a desire for a strong democracy then please join us at an upcoming KFTC event!

Jerry has worked with KFTC for 35+ years in various roles, including balancing the scales editor, media coordinator and occasional financial manager! He lives in Magoffin County.

Michael lives in Madison County and works at KFTC’s Berea office. Michael started working with KFTC in 2017 as a Program Associate to provide support across KFTC’s program of work and organizational needs. Before joining the KFTC staff team, Michael worked as a janitor, a librarian, a short order cook, and as an assistant to the Berea Human Rights Commission. He is passionate about mental health care advocacy and LGBTQ rights. 

Jessica has been on KFTC's Organizing Team since September 2006, first working with with the Economic Justice Committee and the Leadership Development Committee, and now is Co-Director of the Organizing Team. She grew up in south-central Kentucky, moved out of state for three long years, and got involved with KFTC in 2004 when she moved back to Kentucky. Jess lives in Lexington with her family. 

Beth Howard grew up in Morgan County. She is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a Master’s in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. Beth served for five years as a lead organizer with a grassroots organization in Daytona Beach, Florida called Fighting Against Injustice Toward Harmony (FAITH). She returned to Kentucky in 2011 and worked as a case manager facilitating classes in parenting, job coaching, and interpersonal skills for a multi-county program based in West Liberty and started organizing with KFTC in 2013. Beth is a student of yoga, she is rarely ever without a book, and lives in Lexington with her dog Sandy. 

Alicia is originally from Louisville and holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Louisville with a concentration in Non-Profit Management and a Graduate Certificate in Pan-African Studies. She has been with KFTC since January 2013, spending her first 4 years as the Jefferson County Community Organizer before transitioning into her current role in the spring of 2017. In her free time, Alicia is a volunteer leader with Outdoor Afro and enjoys outdoor activities, reading, and watching indie movies. 

Carissa 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.  She previously worked as a grassroots organizer for Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement where she focused on organizing family farmers and rural residents for economic and environmental justice.  She lives in Louisville with her husband and two children.  She enjoys spending time telling bad jokes, cooking, and playing with her family.

Dave is our Democracy Organizer, working to build a Democracy in Kentucky while advancing issues, empowering people, and making sure our next elected leaders are a little more deserving of titles like "Representative."  He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with degrees in History and Political Science and has experience organizing with the Kentucky Democratic Party, union organizing with SEIU, and most recently was Deputy Director of the Center for Media Justice in Oakland, CA.  He now lives in Covington, KY after coming back to us after 5 years out of state.  He's also a giant nerd who loves sci-fi.

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 husband Chris and son Kaden.

Caitlin grew up in Burlington, Ky but currently lives in Dayton and works as a Communications Associate from KFTC's Northern Kentucky office. She is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts.