System Change Project Coordinator

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers

Abby lives in Asheville, NC, located on stolen Anigiduwagi (Cherokee) land in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Appalachia. She loves to immerse herself in nature, read fantasy novels, see live music, and oil paint in her free time. Abby (aka Abbykat) is also a DJ at her local community radio station! Her weekly show is called Joyful Noise and features loud, weirdo music of all genres.

Abby became interested in this work during her time as a community arts instructor with folks living in poverty. After years of relationship-building with families who were exhausted from the systemic oppression they faced, Abby set out on a mission to promote systems change by amplifying the voices of those who are historically unheard in the policymaking process.

Upon graduating with her Masters of Social Work from Western Carolina University, Abby won the John Lewis Good Trouble Award for making “good trouble” on campus when transgender students were being marginalized and silenced by the University’s student housing authorities.

Prior to working at FosterClub, she served as the Research and Policy Associate at the Campaign for Southern Equality, advocating for inclusive LGBTQ+ policies across the South and building power in transgender youth. She’s also served as a community organizer for working class families in Southern Appalachia. As part of the FosterClub team, she hopes to play her part in building power within folks with lived experience in foster care, and work with them to create a more equitable and trauma-informed foster care system.