Hello, Chapter Leaders!

My name is Kia (yes, it is pronounced like the car), and I am so excited to have joined Together Women Rise this summer as Volunteer Manager. I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you today and also make myself a resource for you moving forward.

I recently moved to Greenville, SC from Washington, DC where I served as Volunteer Manager at the International Spy Museum. Yes, there are many more spies out there than you think. But no, none of them act like James Bond. Since receiving my BA at Davidson College in 2012, I have been working (and volunteering!) at nonprofits like the Smithsonian National American History Museum, Ford’s Theater, the National Park Service, the Society of the Cincinnati, the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, C-SPAN’s American History TV, and the League of Women Voters. My interest areas include history and education, women’s advocacy, community engagement, and DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion).

When I’m not advocating on behalf of women and supporting volunteerism, you can find me at the theater, mesmerized by a new play or musical, visiting a local museum or presidential library, or exploring nearby parks and hiking trails with my dog Cash and husband Kevin. You also might find me on a lake water skiing or visiting my family in Folly Beach outside Charleston, SC.

After seven years of creating and managing volunteer programs for nonprofit organizations, and three years volunteering as an interpreter at Ford’s Theater, I have come to deeply believe in the value and power of volunteer work. Volunteers bring new skills, diverse perspectives, refreshing enthusiasm, and integral sustainability to any organization, and I want you all to know how thrilled I am to work with you in helping Together Women Rise achieve its mission. I hope to visit many of your chapters in the coming weeks and months (both virtually and in person) to learn directly from you. My goal is to ensure all volunteers at Together Women Rise have a rewarding, empowering and fun experience – so let’s get started!