We’re a small team with big ideas and a passion for making a difference.
MEET THE BOARD
Kelly carter, Chair
Kelly is a local entrepreneur, disability rights advocate, and founder of Heart & Flour: Equal Kneads Bakery, an inclusive business dedicated to creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. As the mother of a daughter with autism, she brings both lived experience and passion to the Foundation's mission. Kelly founded the Together Table Foundation to expand inclusive employment opportunities, community education, and support services, driven by her belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, work, contribute, and belong. Through community partnerships and advocacy, she is committed to building a future where people of all abilities can thrive.
Ashley Vardinakis, Secratary
Ashley holds a master's degree in Criminology with concentrations in mental health and domestic violence and currently serves as a Business Analyst with the Illinois State Board of Education. Her education and professional experience have fostered a deep appreciation for the importance of understanding individual challenges, advocating for others, and creating environments where everyone feels heard, understood, and valued. She was drawn to the Together Table Foundation's mission and is passionate about helping create spaces where individuals of all abilities are not only included, but also celebrated, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Gina joined the Together Table Foundation to support a mission that is deeply personal to her family. Through her daughter Kelly and granddaughter, she has witnessed firsthand the challenges that individuals with disabilities and their families often face, as well as the importance of inclusion, advocacy, and community support. As a proud grandmother, Gina believes stronger communities are built when everyone is valued and given the opportunity to succeed. In her retirement, she enjoys spending time outdoors, tending to her hosta garden, and playing with her dog, Boomer.
Gina Carter, Treasuerer
Kathy Watkins
Kathy is a dedicated volunteer at Heart & Flour: Equal Kneads Bakery, where she works alongside individuals with disabilities and has seen firsthand the positive impact that meaningful employment and inclusion can have on confidence and independence. Inspired by her grandson, David, and her experiences at the bakery, Kathy is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities to thrive. She is proud to support the Together Table Foundation's mission of building a more inclusive community where everyone is welcomed, supported, and given the chance to reach their full potential.
Callie estes
As a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and current Occupational Therapy graduate student, Callie brings both professional expertise and personal passion to the Foundation's mission. She has dedicated her career to helping individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence through advocacy, accessibility, and community engagement. Her work focuses on creating opportunities for meaningful employment, skill development, and inclusion, helping build communities where every individual can thrive. She’s also a proud mom to a 1 year old little boy.
Jill doneghue
Jill brings 34 years of experience in special education to the Together Table Foundation. Throughout her career, she was dedicated to helping students develop the skills and confidence needed to reach their full potential, including spending her final eight years teaching in the Life Skills classroom at Lincoln High School. After retiring in May, Jill is excited to continue supporting individuals with disabilities through the Foundation's mission of promoting inclusion, independence, and opportunity.
Michele is a lifelong Lincoln resident, small business owner, and Grants Coordinator for the Illinois Department of Human Services. Passionate about community service and creating opportunities for others, she is proud to support the Together Table Foundation's mission of fostering inclusion, belonging, and opportunity for individuals with disabilities and their families. Having known Kelly for nearly a decade, Michele has watched the vision for Heart & Flour and the Together Table Foundation grow from an idea shared around a kitchen table into a meaningful community resource. She is honored to be part of helping that vision continue to grow and impact lives throughout the community.