Executive Director

Kristen joined The Nest as Executive Director in July 2026. She brings more than a decade of experience in mental health, family services, early childhood development, and public health leadership throughout Kentucky. Her work has included leading statewide initiatives that support the mental health and well-being of children and families across the Commonwealth. Kristen’s career has focused on strengthening families, expanding access to care, and building collaborative systems that improve lives. Her experience and commitment to service align closely with The Nest’s mission of supporting women, children, and families in need.

Email:kmartin@thenestlexington.org
Phone:(859) 259-1974 x223

Assistant Executive Director & Director for Child Care

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

Director of Corporate & Annual Giving

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

Director of Major Gifts & Planned 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) 333-5051

Financial Officer & Administrator

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

Assistant Executive Director & Director for Child Care

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

Associate Director of Child Care

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

Lead Teacher, PreK Classroom

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

Lead 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

Lead Teacher, Early Preschool 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.

Email:wcarpenter@thenestlexington.org

Director for IPV & Parenting and Counselor

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

Clinical Program Manager and Counselor

I am a Lexington, Ky native. I originally started at The Nest in 2010 in the Childcare Program. I recognized that my path was social work, so I obtained a Bachelor of Social Work in 2013 and a Master of Social Work in 2021. I am passionate about providing counseling that empowers clients as they navigate healing from the trauma they have experienced. I enjoy traveling and spending time with my husband and children.

Phone: (859) 259-1974 ×226

Parenting Advocate & Facilitator

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

Counselor and 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

Parenting 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

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.

Email:fcalhounlouden@thenestlexington.org

Attorney at Law

Jarrett L. Rose, J.D. is an attorney specializing in divorce and custody issues here at the Nest Advocacy Center. He is a native of Bowen, Kentucky in the heart of the Red River Gorge area. He received his B.A. from Morehead State University in 2011 and his J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law in 2015. Jarrett has previously served as Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for the 39th Judicial Circuit of Kentucky and as a private-practice attorney specializing in Family Law. In his free time, he enjoys researching genealogy, studying local history, and spending time with his nephew.

Email:jrose@thenestlexington.org

Phone:(859) 259-1974

Bilingual 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

Legal Advocate

Emma is originally from Boston, MA, and has been in Kentucky since 2020.  She graduated with a bachelor's degree in forensic psychology in 2023.  She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at EKU.  She loves animals and has three cats and a dog.  In addition, she loves to read and spend time with friends. 

Email: edupre@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 379-8109

Bilingual Counselor

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
Phone: (859) 363-5818

Programs Administrator

Rayne joined The Nest in 2025. Rayne returned to Lexington following Masters education in Social Work and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies at the University of Louisville. Rayne is excited to return to working with children, parents and families. They enjoy creative writing ventures and learning to quilt.

Email: rparker@thenestlexington.org

Phone number: (859) 259-1974 x225

Director of Family Assistance

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

Family Assistance Supervisor

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.

Email:jclemens@thenestlexington.org
Phone: (859) 259-1974 ×222

Intake Specialist

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