Staff & Board

Ada brings nearly two decades of experience working alongside children, families, and nonprofits across East Tennessee. As Executive Director of United Way of Anderson County, she focuses on connecting people, resources, and organizations in ways that strengthen communities and expand opportunity. Her work is grounded in practical leadership: building partnerships, supporting nonprofits, and advancing solutions that help individuals move toward stability and self-sufficiency. She is known for approaching complex challenges with both clarity and compassion, always keeping people at the center of the work. Outside of her role, Ada remains actively engaged in the community through Rotary and other volunteer efforts, reflecting her belief that meaningful change happens through consistent, collective action.

Jordan Myers is the Outreach and Events Coordinator. A lifelong East Tennessee resident, Jordan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Carson-Newman University. She is deeply committed to serving East Tennessee communities through volunteer work, and she has been a strong advocate for children with special needs and children in foster care. Her advocacy work includes partnerships with Together We Rise, The Miss America Organization, Best Buddies Program, Special Olympics, The Down Syndrome Society, and local churches Jordan’s dedication to community stems from her family’s experience as a therapeutic foster family and her direct work with individuals in need. Her previous volunteer experience with the committee and her professional background as an Event Coordinator have fostered her passion for her current role as the Outreach and Events Coordinator. Outside of work, Jordan cherishes spending quality time with her husband and two daughters, enjoying movies and adventures.

Melinda has been an East Tennessean since 2004 and is a graduate of The University of Tennessee with a degree in Child and Family Studies, Psychology, and Integrated Communications. Melinda has been an advocate for families affected by substance abuse disorder and foster care as well as helping to build community in Oak Ridge schools, serving on various boards the past six years. In addition to being a Mobility Mentor, she is a spiritual and recovery coach and supports her husband Matt who is the director of a local recovery ministry. As an advocate for substance abuse prevention and reducing stigma, Melinda serves as chair to the Metro Drug Community Coalition. She also serves her faith community as a commissioned Stephen Minister. Strength, perseverance, and hope are interwoven in her story and as a Mobility Mentor she finds it a privilege to help others experience the same. While Melinda loves to serve the community, the ones she loves to serve the most are her husband and four children.

Kate grew up in Oak Ridge, attended Oak Ridge High School, and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a B.S. in mathematics. She loves numbers, spreadsheets, and organization, and is thrilled to be able to put those loves to good use in running the office and assisting clients. Outside of the office, Kate enjoys time with her husband and three boys, and is the outreach administrator for her church. You may also see her around town as she runs with local running groups.

Lisa is originally from Illinois, but has lived in Oak Ridge for 38 years. She has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Her prior work as the Director of Programs at First United Methodist Church and as Director of Recruiting for an IT staffing company, provided her with years of experience connecting people to service and career opportunities and she is excited to be able to use those skills to help United Way fulfill its mission .  She serves on the Board of Directors of Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence and as a mentor in the Oak Ridge High School Career Pathways program through United Way. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two sons and her grandchildren.

Kimberly Beeson serves as the Development and Donor Relations Coordinator. She holds a degree in Speech Communications and a certificate in Gerontology from California State University, Long Beach. Kimberly brings more than 30 years of nonprofit experience dedicated to enhancing the well-being of older adults and their family caregivers through person-centered, community-based adult day programs. Her passion for serving older adults grew from the love and loss of her grandparents and a desire to help families find connection, support, and community. Through her work, Kimberly has seen firsthand that caring for a loved one, whether an aging parent, spouse, or child, often takes a village. Kimberly and her husband, daughter, son, mother, and father-in-law, moved to Oak Ridge in 2023. As newcomers to East Tennessee, her family enjoys the changing seasons and welcoming community. In her free time, Kimberly loves baking and cooking with her family.