Directors & Administrators
Jeffrey joined The Nest in January 2010. He has more than 40 years of financial, human resource, and management experience. He is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and an active member of the Bluegrass Society for Human Resource Management. Jeffrey is also actively involved in social service endeavors throughout the community.
Email: jwhite@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 259-1974 x223
Jeffrey White, PHR
Executive Director
Jenny is a Berea College graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Family Studies. She joined The Nest in July 2006 as the two-year-old teacher. Jenny has a passion for working with children and families. She also enjoys reading, bowling and spending time with her fur babies!
Email: jnorman@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 259-1974 x228
Jenny Norman
Director of Programming
JoEllen has more than 14 years of experience in business development, public relations and advertising through work in the equine industry, media advertising and her own advertising agency. In addition, she has worked closely with many nonprofit and service organizations, having served as an Operation Read tutor, a Court Appointed Special Advocate, on the SAFY State Advisory Board, and as a long-term member of Bluegrass Crime Stoppers. Currently, she’s a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution service organization. JoEllen is also a published author of an interactive children’s safety book called Safety Safari.
Email: jwilhoite@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 259-1974 x244
JoEllen Wilhoite
Director of Corporate & Annual Giving
Dana has dedicated her 30-year career to serving others through the nonprofit sector. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and lives in Frankfort, Kentucky with her husband and two dogs. Dana believes EVERYONE can make a difference in the lives of others, so reach out to her to explore what can be accomplished together through The Nest.
Email: dstefaniak@thenestlexington.org
Phone: 859.259.1974
Dana Stefaniak
Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving
Rosie received her B.S. in Accounting from Eastern Kentucky University. She has worked in the accounting field for over 29 years in a variety of settings. Rosie started as a volunteer and quickly became an asset and part of the staff at The Nest. She is originally from Oregon, but currently resides in Lexington, Kentucky with her beautiful daughter.
Email: rharris@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 259-1974 x221
Rosie Harris
Financial Officer & Administrator
Child Care Program
Jenny is a Berea College graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Family Studies. She joined The Nest in July 2006 as the two-year-old teacher. Jenny has a passion for working with children and families. She also enjoys reading, bowling and spending time with her fur babies!
Email: jnorman@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 259-1974 x228
Jenny Norman
Director of Programming
Shelly joined the staff as Associate Director of Child Care in January 2010, bringing with her numerous years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Her education and training was focused on children with special needs. Shelly is active in the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender youth community, and an advocate for equality for all of Kentucky’s children. Shelly enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 wonderful sons, her loving daughter-in-law, precious granddaughter, and pets.
Email: sginter@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 259-1974 x229
Shelly Ginter
Associate Director of Child Care
Blair has worked at The Nest for 16 years. In 2014 she moved to Malaysia with her husband and daughter for one year. While she was living there, she praised the programs at The Nest to everyone she met. Blair realized then that her heart was still at The Nest. When she moved back to Lexington, a teaching position became available and she happily accepted!
Email: bbush@thenestlexington.org
Blair Bush
Lead Teacher, PreK Classroom
Marlese joined The Nest in 2022. She has worked on and off with children for the past seven years. The Nest is a place that will forever have her heart. In 2024, she will be working her way to getting her CDA. Marlese currently resides in Lexington with her husband, two amazing daughters, and two fur babies. She enjoys going to the movies, spending time outdoors, reading books and photography.
Marlese Holiday
Teacher, Infant Classroom
Pam joined The Nest in 2018. She has a B.A. in Business Management and a CDA. She has taught and cared for infants and toddlers in a child care setting for over 30 years. Pamela has two wonderful boys and enjoys fishing, camping and sports. Family time is also very important to her.
Email: progers@thenestlexington.org
Pam Rogers, BA, CDA
Lead Teacher, Infant Classroom
Wendy joined The Nest in 2018. She has a B.S. in Youth and Family Ministries from Kentucky Christian University. She received her CDA in 2019. She has taught toddler through Pre-K children for over 15 years. She resides with her husband and Golden Collie in Winchester and enjoys running and camping.
Wendy Carpenter
Lead Teacher, Early Preschool Classroom
Intimate Partner Violence & Parenting Programs
Claire is originally from Northern Virginia. She started at The Nest as an AmeriCorps member in August 2019. She completed her Master of Social Work in 2023 and now provides group and individual counseling services to survivors of intimate partner violence. She volunteers with the Kentucky Health Justice Network and enjoys baking, yoga, and playing with her dog Chomp.
Email: cfitz@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 259-1974 x234
Claire FitzSimmonds, CSW
Director for IPV & Parenting and Counselor
Sheri worked in the corporate sector for 17 years specializing in management, coaching, and development of employees. She has taught adult literacy classes, welfare to work programs, and was her company’s coordinator/mentor for at-risk high school students. She started working for The Nest in 2009 in the Family Assistance Program, Community Engagement and is a Parenting Facilitator. She is a graduate of Spalding University and supports the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana and is a volunteer reader for RadioEye. She enjoys reading, crafts, and music.
Email: sestill@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 259-1974 x231
Sheri Estill
Parenting Advocate & Facilitator
Ashley began working with families and administering trauma-informed care at the Justice Resource Institute in Connecticut. That sparked her pursuit of a Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University. She is happy to be back in her hometown and working as a Counselor for IPV and Parenting at The Nest. She enjoys sipping coffee, spending time outside with her husband and children, and live music.
Email: ahorton@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 951-8747
Ashley Horton, CSW
Counselor and Facilitator
Carlos is originally from Puerto Rico and has always been involved in the education field and the horse racing industry. It was precisely his involvement with this industry that eventually led him to Lexington, KY. He has taught mostly at the college and high school level. He has been with Fayette County Public Schools for over 20 years, mostly at Henry Clay High School, where he is currently an Assistant Principal. He has been with The Nest for over nine years, where he is a facilitator for Parenting classes in Spanish and English.
Email: cpena@thenestlexington.org
Carlos Pena
Parenting Facilitator
Originally from Lebanon, Kentucky, Faith earned her B.A. from Berea College and Master of Social Work from the University of Kentucky. She has over 20 years of experience serving youth and families. Along with her husband, their blended family consists of three children and four grandchildren.
Faith Calhoun-Louden, CSW
Parenting Facilitator
Aubrey is from Tampa, Florida. She graduated from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg before moving to Lexington to attend the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law. Aubrey worked at the Office of the Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney where her a passion for finding justice for victims of domestic violence and strangulation began. She is now here at The Nest representing survivors in Domestic Violence Order and Interpersonal Protective Order hearings.
Email: agirouard@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (502) 517-8941
Aubrey Girouard
Attorney
Kimberly grew up in Lexington and graduated from the University of Kentucky where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminology and a masters degree in Social Work with a child welfare certificate. She has had a lifelong passion of advocating for children and families who are experiencing some of their toughest times. In her most recent role, Kimberly was a victim advocate for the Office of the Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney where she assisted individuals and families through the court system. On the weekends, Kimberly enjoys cooking, watching reality TV, and spending quality time with her favorite people.
Email: kemeric@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (502)-437-4705
Kimberly Emeric, CSW, CA
Court Advocate
Delia grew up in Chicago and moved to Lexington about 16 years ago. She graduated from EKU with degrees in Spanish and Child and Family Studies. She has over 20 years of experience working with families and children as a community worker, advocate, and Spanish interpreter. During her free time she enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, paddle boarding and spending time with family and friends.
Email: dvirto@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (470) 593- 0702
Delia Virto
Bilingual Court Advocate
I am a mother, grandmother, and teacher, and I am passionate about my career. I love helping people break with their limiting beliefs. Happiness is not what happens to us but how we interpret it. I help survivors learn that challenges are not found outside but in our interior; true victory lies in facing our fears. We free ourselves; we become strong and wise, not because we don't have challenges but because we have learned that living a whole life is in our hands today.
Email: smathew@thenestlexington.org
Sadie Mathew
Bilingual Counselor
Family Assistance Program
Emma worked as an intern at The Nest in 2021, came back as the Americorps Member in August 2022 and became an employee in 2023. She graduated with a Bachelors in Social Work and a Minor in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Morehead State University in 2022, and she graduated from UK with a Masters in Social Work in May 2023. She loves eating chips and watching TV with her cat.
Email: etaylor@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 259-1974 x224
Emma Taylor
Director of Family Assistance
Julie graduated from EKU in 2024 with a Bachelor's in Social Work. She will continue her schooling at EKU in 2025 for her Master's. Her passion for working and serving the community led her to The Nest and she is excited to utilize her degree to support others. Outside of school and work, Julie enjoys reading, shopping, and traveling with her family.
Julie Clemens
Family Assistance Supervisor
Kayla is a 2024 EKU graduate with a bachelor’s in social work. She plans on returning to finish up with a master’s degree later this year. She enjoys working with different communities and networking to build a better tomorrow for people. Giving back is one of her largest goals in life.
Email: kbentley@thenestlexington.org
Kayla Bentley
Engagement and Outreach Coordinator
Tanisha graduated from Strayer University, majoring in Criminal Justice. Originally from Lexington, she moved to California for a while, but she is back to her roots in Lexington now! She has a background in government security, and in her free time, she enjoys watching television, stating she is a “Survivor fan for life”!
Email: thiggins@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 259-1974 x250
Tanisha Higgins
Intake Specialist
Our Programs
Child Care
Family Assistance
Intimate Partner Violence
Parenting