Staff

Joan is new to KFTC, but has a long history in community organizing in her hometown of Lexington and throughout Kentucky.  She is passionate about community building, addressing and healing racial trauma and using art to create social change. Joan believes deep listening, story sharing and radical acceptance are key strategies to bridging community divides. Joan’s activist background includes healing drum facilitation and documentary filmmaking.

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 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. "

Pronouns (She/Her)
Prior to joining the staff, Alexa was involved in chapter work as an active member and as a voter empowerment organizer for the fall 2018 election cycle, as well as an Organizer Apprentice for 14 months. She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University, where she studied Sociology with a minor in Citizenship and Social Justice and a concentration in Community, Environment and Development. It was during her time as an undergrad that she grew extremely passionate about, and began to practice, community organizing. Alexa also was a member of the pilot cohort of the KFTC Organizing Academy. She lives in Bowling Green, although she will always call Hart County home. Alexa has a background in food justice, gardening, poverty and inequality. 

After many years as KFTC's website manager/e-organizer, Erik has shifted into a data and digital communications role. 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 media into our organizing strategy. He currently lives in Lexington with his wife and two daughters. 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.

Nyeila is a Eastern Kentucky University graduate. She earned her Bachelors in Political Science and Social Justice Studies, these programs taught her how to fight against injustice through activism and policy change. While working for multiple campaigns she grew a passion for registering young people and people of color to vote in every election possible.

Jacob is an Organizer working in eastern Kentucky, living in Letcher County. His people are from Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he first became politicized and was introduced to organizing as a young person grappling with how to respond to the Iraq war. From there he could never quite go back, and has been grateful to learn from incredible groups working towards change for everything from jail expansion to LGBTQ issues in faith communities, from mountaintop removal to militarism, and wage theft to local foods. Jacob graduated from Eastern Mennonite University with a degree in Peacebuilding and Development. Jacob joined the team at KFTC after several rewarding years spent working at the Hindman Settlement School.

Ashley grew up in Salyersville, KY and moved to London in 1999 where she now lives with her partner Daniel and his two kids. She joined the KFTC staff in November 2016 as the Operations Associate and provides day-to-day operational support to the Operations Manager and Deputy Director. In her free time she enjoys reading, embroidering (poorly) and half-finishing DIY projects.

Dave has been an active member of KFTC since 1999, is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with degrees in History and Political Science and has experience organizing with the Kentucky Democratic Party, internal and external union organizing with SEIU in California, has worked as a consultant, and most recently was Deputy Director of 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 and cats.