Empowering communities with compassion and care, the Charities Guild of Northern Kentucky is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the lives of children and families in need. With a focus on inclusivity and collaboration, we strive to build a brighter future where every child has the opportunity to thrive. This vision is brought to life by our dedicated Executive Committee and Leadership Team, whose passion and commitment drive our mission forward, ensuring that we continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
2025 Executive Committee
President
Traci Nestheide
Traci loves seeing the impact of giving a child new shoes. Her most memorable moment? Seeing the joy in kids’ faces when they pick out their first new pair of shoes—a moment often taken for granted. Traci is grateful for the friendships she’s made with members of the Guild - which she describes as strong, powerful women on a mission.
President Elect
Maria Hunter
Maria loves getting to know her fellow Guild members, who she describes as truly good people. Through working with local schools she has seen firsthand how grateful school administrators are for our organization, which provides shoes to kids in need discreetly and without hassle. Maria is proud to be part of such a professional and heartfelt group of women.
Past President
Molly Jacks
Molly joined because she wanted to be part of a smaller, women-based volunteer organization. She’s held three previous executive roles and was inspired by her mom, who was also a member of the Guild. Molly loves attending our in-person charity events and regular meetings, where she can connect with others and contribute to our mission.
Vice President of New Membership
Julie Hogan
Julie has been an integral part of our team for four years. One of her favorite memories is giving a little boy his new shoes, and his pure joy when he put them on and ran around in circles, beaming with a huge smile. It’s moments like these that keep Julie inspired to help others.
Secretary
Jessica Ward
Jessica joined because her sister and mom were part of the Guild and often shared the mission and purpose with her. Wanting to make a local impact and build new friendships, she found a perfect fit. Her favorite moment? Sitting down with the kids and seeing their smiles when they pick out a pair of shoes—it’s pure gold.
Treasurer
Audrey Kinney Buten
Audrey joined our team to meet new people and give back to others, a cause she's always been passionate about. She was inspired by her mother-in-law, an alumna, and joined alongside her sister-in-law—making it a family affair.
Treasurer Elect
Elizabeth Schlosser
Elizabeth joined the Guild to get involved in serving her new community. She stays busy balancing motherhood to a young son and a rewarding career. Elizabeth’s passion for both her career and community make her an amazing asset to our team.
2025 Leadership Team
Alumni Relations
Devin Pendery
Devin joined our organization because of our mission and the chance to connect with the community. What she loves most about being part of the team? The amazing people she gets to work alongside. Outside of work, Devin is busy with her young family, and balancing her full-time career.
Sunshine Chair
Allie Stevens
Allie loves seeing children’s faces light up when she helps them find the perfect pair of shoes. Her passion for giving back was inspired by the stories of her grandmother’s childhood in Appalachia. When she’s not helping others, Allie enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her cat, Maple.
PR & Marketing Chair
Brooke Stripling
Brooke joined the Guild because she believes in our mission to provide children with both basic necessities and the opportunity to express themselves and feel valued. She is dedicated to helping expand our impact and reaching as many people as possible.
Happy Feet Ball Chair
Megan Bankemper
Originally from Owensboro, Kentucky, Megan joined the Guild for the opportunity to serve alongside passionate women dedicated to helping kids in the community. She’s served in two executive roles in the past and loves the balance of service work and connecting with others.
Happy Feet Chair
Jamie FIsher
Jamie was inspired to join an organization that supports local kids in need, and loves making a hands-on difference in her community. She is deeply inspired by how a shared goal can unite a group of strangers into lasting friendships. She cherishes the ability to witness students’ gratitude and excitement as they choose their own shoes. It’s a powerful testament to the positive experiences we can create for our community.
Shoe Fund Chair
Kelsay Studer
Kelsay loves attending our shoe drives to see our mission firsthand, and looks forward to our Happy Feet Ball, where we see our hard work come together while raising money for a great cause. As a mother, helping children has become even more significant to Kelsay, and she is deeply moved by the excitement and joy on kids’ faces when they pick out their own shoes.
Shoe Fund Chair
Katie Roller
Katie always wanted to be part of something bigger and give back to the community, and joining the Guild was the perfect opportunity. Between playtime and managing her growing to-do list, she spends her days juggling the needs of her two children and household. The joy she feels when helping children pick out a brand new pair of shoes is truly immeasurable.
Shoe Fund Chair
Ashley Thiem
As a former teacher in an underserved community, Ashley witnessed firsthand the challenges many students faced in meeting their basic needs. Her dedication to helping these students thrive inspired her to join our organization. Ashley believes every child deserves a chance to succeed and feel confident at school, and she’s proud to be part of an organization that makes that possible.