Volume 37

Volume 37
 

Program

Melina Coogan

Melina Ferris Coogan is an international-award winning family photographer. She grew up in Vermont, graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle and has been living in Asheville for the past thirteen years. In addition to shooting families, Melina mentors professional photographers across the world in the specialty of long-form documentary family photography and writes the substack Cult of the Luscious. She has made thousands of images of her daughters, Olive and Ivy, and has never once asked either of them to smile.

Matt McCoy

Matt McCoy is the founder of Stronger Together Wellness and a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist with over 14 years as a stroke survivor. Drawing from his own journey, he passionately supports others in navigating challenges, building resilience, and fostering empowerment. Committed to mental health advocacy, Matt connects through lived experience, offering guidance and hope rooted in compassion and community. Outside work, he enjoys gardening and cycling, embracing a balanced lifestyle that fuels his well-being. Matt is dedicated to positively impacting individuals and communities through service and inspiration.

Mary Pat Kieffer

Mary Pat Kieffer had a long career in career in international public health. She lived in Thailand, Kenya, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi before retiring to Asheville for a much needed rest.

Tom Heck

Tom Heck loves an adventure. When not out adventuring, Tom helps nonprofit and EDU leadership teams become more effective while also experiencing more joy & fulfillment at work. Tom is an author, inventor, and banjo player.

Alison Ormsby

Alison Ormsby is the Forest Specialist with Adventure Scientists, an international community-based conservation organization. She has a PhD in Environmental Studies and was a professor of Environmental Studies for 20 years.  She is co-chair of the volunteer Asheville/Buncombe County Tree Protection Task Force. Her research focuses on community-based biocultural conservation of sacred forests globally.

David Premo

David Premo is a retired journalist and professor. After a biology and chemistry degree he earned an  M.S. In Science Communication: Journalism.
David became group publisher and editorial director of nearly two dozen business, technical and scientific magazines. He retired from publishing and served as an adjunct professor at online and traditional universities. A commercial pilot, he was also a flight instructor.
David served as an officer and director of several professional organizations. He is also a Distinguished Toastmaster.
He and his wife, Jean, live in the mountains of western North Carolina where he pursues philanthropic endeavors.

Graham Hackett

Graham Hackett is the founding Director of STELLAR Conduct, a unique service program empowering communities to prevent interpersonal harm. Drawing on 30 years as an educator serving high-risk youth and a decade working for rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters in North Carolina and Colorado, Graham provides engaging consent education, group facilitation, and consulting services. Equipped with research-informed content tailored for schools, businesses, and social groups, STELLAR reaches across entire communities with actionable information to make us all safer.

Kevin Ferretti

Kevin is an AI safety researcher who lives with his cat, his girlfriend, and his girlfriend's cat. He likes to read and go on walks.