Meet Our Volunteers: Anita Mann and Katie Moore

We're thrilled to introduce two wonderful new additions to the Echoes of the Forest volunteer team—Anita Mann and Katie Moore. Their unique journeys to our organization reflect the resilience and community spirit that define Western North Carolina.

Anita Mann

Anita Mann: Finding Hope After the Storm

In April 2024, Anita and her husband moved to Western North Carolina from Westchester, New York, drawn by the area's golf courses, picturesque landscape, and Asheville's artsy vibe. Just as she was settling into mountain life, Hurricane Helene struck. Witnessing the devastation in Biltmore Village and the surrounding areas firsthand was heartbreaking.

After reading about Echoes of the Forest in the local news, Anita reached out to the founder, Liisa. Our mission offered a brighter perspective amid the lingering heartbreak, and she wanted to help achieve our objectives while supporting her newly adopted community.

Anita brings impressive credentials to our team. As a devoted mother of two twenty-something sons, she served on her Middle School PTA Executive Committee and was deeply involved in her Westchester community through the Junior League and various boards. She completed a three-year elected term on her village's Citizens Nominating Committee and brings over fifteen years of information technology experience, along with a proven track record of helping nonprofits leverage digital tools to grow efficiently.

Katie Moore

Katie Moore: A Lifelong Champion for Community

Katie's commitment to service began in fifth grade when she organized a neighborhood yard sale that raised $500 for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. During college, she led multiple fundraising initiatives supporting families in need and later served as Board President for an arts-based afterschool program. Professionally, Katie spent several years as a civic educator with the Constitutional Rights Foundation in Los Angeles, a non-profit dedicated to civic education.

Katie discovered Echoes of the Forest in 2024 at the unveiling of a public art installation. Drawn by her passion for nature, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, she immediately connected with our mission to transform trees lost to Hurricane Helene into meaningful works of public art. She's honored to collaborate with Liisa and our dedicated volunteers in preserving the community's story through powerful artistic expression.

Looking Forward Together

Both Anita and Katie embody what makes Echoes of the Forest special: resilience, dedication, and a shared commitment to honoring the forests that give our region its soul. We're grateful to have them on our team and know their passion and experience will help us continue growing our mission.

Welcome to the forest family, Anita and Katie! We're so glad you're here.

Are you interested in volunteering with Echoes of the Forest? Reach out to learn how you can make a difference.