Staff

Joan Brannon is one of KFTC’s Co-Executive Directors. Joan first joined KFTC’s staff team in 2021 as Organizing Co-Director. With over three decades of experience working to advance racial, economic and social justice, her work is integral to advancing KFTC’s Organizational Change Initiative. Joan is passionate about community building, addressing and healing racial trauma and using art to create social change. Joan is a native Kentuckian who believes deep listening, story sharing and radical acceptance are key strategies to bridging community divides. Joan’s activist/organizing background includes healing drum facilitation and documentary filmmaking. She founded DrummingWorks and has held leadership positions in non-profit and arts organizations, including the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, West Louisville Women’s Collaborative, ArtsPower and the Kentucky Foundation for Women.

Corey grew up in eastern Kentucky and always said she would move out of state – but fell in love with Louisville and Kentucky organizing. She is a graduate of the University of Louisville with a bachelor’s in history and French. She is passionate about building a better, progressive South, and believes that Kentucky will be a leader in this process. In her (minimal) spare time, Corey is a complete book nerd and can be found reading anything and everything on her front porch.

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!

Reach me at 859-380-6103! 

"I strongly identify as an Appalachian American as well. I strongly identify with the positive attributes or characteristics and work vehemently to dispel the negative perceptions or stereotypes held about the Appalachian culture, people, and region.  I am a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. My undergraduate studies focused on the study of Psychology. I hold a M.A in Clinical Mental Health Counseling as well as a Masters in Public Administration from Eastern Kentucky University as well.

My involvement with public, community, or political activities and/or organizations has centered on social justice advocacy and diversity issues. My time has been split between serving in and with bodies that are composed of students and professionals within the field of Domestic Violence, Homelessness and Housing, Mental Health, and Higher Education. My involvement additionally has included time spent serving with or in organizations that have addressed disparities within the Appalachian region or nation at large. I strive to utilize my platform to address injustice and inequality in our society-focusing on creating a culture of health. "

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. 

Leila (she/her) was born in Tennessee, raised in Maine, lived briefly in the Middle East, and found her way to Kentucky via the Midwest. She comes to KFTC with a Master of Social Work degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Arts in Peace and Social Transformation from the Earlham School of Religion. Leila likes to work with people — in the past, she has provided resources and empathy to people living with HIV, survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and teenagers from around the world. Leila is passionate about intersectional feminism, voter and civic engagement, and listening to people’s stories. She loves learning about and discussing forensic science, cats, the moon, and human sexuality. Someday, she hopes to read everything ever written by bell hooks and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Whitney is a Western Kentucky University graduate. She studied Art History and Folk Studies, which stoked her passion for sharing people-centered stories and recognizing creativity in how we all communicate. Whitney grew up in Elizabethtown, but she’s called Bowling Green home for nearly 10 years. She resides there with her partner and three dogs – Mama, Kermit and Dude. Whitney began volunteering with KFTC in 2019, and is grateful for her local organizers who shared their knowledge and empowered her to continue to take action within the community.

Kellie McClure is a Communications and Development Manager at KFTC. Kellie currently resides in Lexington with her house rabbits, cats, and husband. She joined KFTC’s staff in January 2022 and comes from a direct service background in housing and mental health. She is thrilled to be at KFTC because she knows changing the systems that harm our communities is the ultimate act of care.

Quinn was born and raised in Atlanta but has roots in central Kentucky. He is passionate about housing justice, environmental justice, and Southern movement building. Having delved into electoral organizing with the Stacey Abrams for Governor campaign in 2018 and more recently tenant organizing with Housing Justice League in Atlanta, he knows the power of community organizing to effect real, long-lasting change. He is also an avid bicyclist, cook, and sports fan, although in return for his undying devotion, Atlanta’s sports teams have given him nothing but grief.

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.