Staff

Stephanie Kelley – Executive Director

Stephanie M. Kelley is ECCO’s fifth executive director in the organization’s 30-year history. She assumed this role in March of 2017 after volunteering at ECCO in a multitude of roles including service on the Board of Directors.

Stephanie holds a Masters of Education and a Bachelor of Science degree both from Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA. Over the span of twenty plus years, she worked at several liberal arts colleges in the northeast before moving to South Carolina where she was first employed at Columbia College in Columbia, SC as the Dean of Students.

Organizational leadership, relationship building, and community service have been hallmarks of Stephanie’s career in the non-profit sector. The most satisfying part of her role at ECCO is working with the organization’s stakeholders – clients, volunteers, staff, donors and community partners – to ensure ECCO continues to be an anchor in the community. Stephanie is also passionate about matters of diversity, equity and inclusion and recently participated in Fall 2019 Lowcountry class of The Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI).

A resident of Mount Pleasant, she and her husband, Hoyt, enjoy traveling, baseball, and spending time on the water. Stephanie is a member of Christ Our King Catholic Church where she first learned about ECCO through the organization’s founder, Monsignor James A. Carter. Stephanie considers it a blessing to be involved in ECCO’s continued impact in the Lowcountry as she advocates for the needs of our neighbors living in both generational and situational poverty.

Suzanne Redford – Executive Assistant 

Suzanne joined ECCO as a temp in March of 2022 but loved the work so much she made it permanent just a few months later in July 2022. Suzanne is an army brat who grew up on bases all over the world, but as a graduate of Clemson (Go Tigers!) and an Isle of Palms resident, she calls SC home. Between her B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an MBA, she has worked a variety of jobs ranging from Product Development Engineer to Middle School Science Teacher – but “mom” is still her favorite job title.  

Through her role as ECCO’s Executive Assistant, she gets to work alongside staff, volunteers, and board members and even gets to use spreadsheets occasionally – which is satisfying to her inner nerd. In her spare time, she likes to do yoga, walk on the beach, watch Clemson football, read, work on home improvements with her husband, or travel to visit her daughters, other family, and fun places.

Linda Grausso – Director of Finance & Operations

Linda serves as Director of Finance and Operations.  She oversees the areas of finance, human relations, IT, building maintenance and safety. She has been employed at ECCO since April 2005. Linda received a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from Southern Wesleyan University in 2000. She has over 25+ years working in the nonprofit field.

Linda traveled extensively as a child with her military family until finally settling in Summerville, SC in 1989 where she met and married her spouse in 1994.  Linda lives in Bonneau, SC enjoying the quiet country life with her husband, Dan, her children, and their family pets. In her free time, Linda enjoys outdoor activities like beekeeping, gardening, kayaking, hiking, and raising chickens.

Jill Tucker – Accounting and Building Manager

Jill graduated from Strayer University in December 2022 with her B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Human Resource Management. She was with ECCO from 2015 – 2018 as a part time Operation Assistant. Jill worked for CPA in 2018 and was happy to return to ECCO as a full time Accounting Manager in 2020.  

She and her husband traveled with the military until he retired in 2018. They are now settled in Moncks Corner, SC and enjoy life with their two young boys and their two pitties. In her free time, she enjoys movie nights with her boys, being in her garden or exploring the outdoors, and DIY projects with her husband.

Whitney Cooper Parker– Data and Support Manager

Patty Frost – Director of Programs & Services 

Patty joined ECCO in August 2023 after a 25-year corporate career as a team leader and program manager for a variety of HR-related initiatives focused on people, culture and wellness. As the Director over the Client Navigation, Essential Services and Health Services areas, Patty supports a talented team to ensure operational success and excellent service to maintain ECCO’s client-centered focus to provide assistance, guidance and resources to help our neighbors navigate life’s challenges. She has a long history of volunteerism with organizations including Meals on Wheels, Challenger Sports, Junior Achievement and Habitat for Humanity. 

As a recent transplant to South Carolina, she and her family are excited to now live in a favorite vacation destination where most weekends can be spent on the beach or the boat – but misses the cool temps and colorful leaves of fall in Virginia.

Ronnell Fishburne-Bryant – Senior Manager of Client Navigation 

Ronnell joined ECCO in the fall of 2023 as the Senior Manager of Client Navigation. Ronnell is a South Carolina native who lived in Georgia most of her adult life. She moved back to SC in 2012 to get assistance from her family during her cancer treatment.  She has been in remission for the last 10 years. She began working at Palmetto Community Action Partners as a volunteer in 2013, and was then hired on as a full-time employee in 2014. 

Ronnell loves working in a career field that allows her to serve others every day. She is so excited to be working at ECCO and to be in this wonderful environment. Ronnell enjoys cooking, movies, and animals.

Gloria Kinard – Clinic Office Manager

Gloria, a Charleston native, has dedicated her career to the dental field. She holds a degree in Allied Health Sciences and recently retired after an impressive 24 years as the Patient Care Coordinator at the MUSC College of Dental Medicine.

Outside of her professional achievements, Gloria cherishes her family and is excited to celebrate her son’s upcoming wedding. In her retirement, she enjoys traveling, discovering new restaurants, gardening, and staying active through exercise. With a love for adventure and connection, Gloria embraces life to the fullest in the city she’s always called home.

Dallaslee Ruquet-Emrich – Senior Manager of Health Services

Dallas joined the ECCO team in 2021 after relocating from Buffalo, NY. She graduated from the State University of New York at Potsdam with a dual degree in Public Health and Sociology. Dallas’s life long work has been dedicated to educating and advocating for communities with multi-layered needs to improve quality of life for all. Over the past decade, Dallas has served within a multitude of roles and institutions providing insight and direction breaking down the Social Determinants of Health to benefit the larger community. 

Dallas’ staple moto, credited to Mahatma Ghandi is “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” She has many passions which include research, reading/writing, rugby and the fine arts.

Denise Bryant – Client Navigator

Denise is a native of South Carolina and grew up in Dorchester County. Denise is part of the Client Navigation Team and has been working at ECCO since 2018. Denise holds a Bachelor’s and Associate degree in Criminal Justice. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, served as an AmeriCorps member for the 2017-2018 service term at Tricounty Family Ministries, and volunteered at Florence Crittenton. Denise has embodied ECCO’S core values which are Compassion, Teamwork, Respect, Service, and Purpose Her favorite quote is “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Denise is married and lives in Summerville with her loving and supportive husband Greg, along with her four children and five grandchildren. When she is not working you can find her, reading, traveling, or working faithfully with Impact Outreach Ministries, giving back to the community and advocating for the underserved.

Tina Foreman-Garrett – Dental Care Coordinator

Alethia Foreman graduated from Trident Technical College in 2000 with her x-ray certification and Dental Assisting License. Alethia has been employed by ECCO since 2021 as the Dental Care Coordinator and Dental Assistant. She has two daughters who she loves spending time with,  going on shopping and lunch dates. She also loves making handmade jewelry in her spare time.

NaKeima Garrett – Client Navigator

NaKeima is a Lowcountry native, born and raised in McClellanville, SC. She graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology and has spent several years in Human Services with DHEC. NaKeima joined ECCO in December 2021 as a part-time Client Navigator. She has now been promoted to a full-time Client Navigator as of August 2023. 

She is currently working on a few certifications. In her free time, she volunteers, enjoys reading, walking, taking trips and spending time with family and friends.

Precious Eaddy – Client Navigator

Precious has just recently relocated to Charleston to embark on a new journey with her two children. She holds a degree in Applied Science, with a focus in Human Services.

Jo Gibbons – Client Navigator & Program Specialist

Jo Gibbons came to ECCO to serve as a volunteer in the summer of 2022. She loved working with ECCO’s clients so much, she joined our staff as a Project Specialist administering Financial Assistance and front office support. Jo previously had a long career in technology marketing and communications, along with numerous volunteer roles through the years. She is a resident of Mount Pleasant with her husband and two beloved Golden Retrievers.

Elizabeth Holmes – Wellness Pantry Manager 

Elizabeth moved to Goose Creek in May 2021 to take care of a family member under Hospice Care. She is originally from Anderson, SC. She worked in various aspects of the grocery industry for 17 years, and has 7 years of law enforcement experience. She has a B.S in Criminal Justice with a minor in sociology, a logistics certification, and licensed in SC Life and Health. Elizabeth is a die hard Clemson fan. She loves to hunt, fish, wakeboard, spend time with family and friends, photography, cooking, and loves to travel.

Meryl Hughes – Patient Care Coordinator

Meryl moved to Charleston in 2004 simply because she loved everything about the Lowcountry. She received her Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2010. She then worked in multiple hospitals as a Speech Language Pathologist treating adults with swallowing, cognitive, language, speech and voice disorders. In 2022, Meryl left the field of Speech Language Pathology in search of a new adventure. While researching local nonprofits, Meryl was excited to find a patient care coordinator role with ECCO, where she is able to serve patients in a caring and patient-focused environment.

Meryl and her husband love traveling to new places around the globe and spending time with their 2 rescue pups. Meryl also enjoys gardening, reading, exercising, volunteering and spending time in nature.

Cathi Rider – Clothing Closet and ADP Coordinator 

Cathi has lived in Mount Pleasant since 2000 with her Husband John and children Jack and Sarah. She spent over twenty years in retail and Customer service and shares that experience with the team and clients at the ECCO clothing closet. When her children were young she spent years employed as a personal trainer this grew into a great love of health and fitness. She still enjoys helping others find ways to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Presently Cathi is studying Human Services at Trident Technical College while she and her husband become accustomed to their new empty nester lifestyle.

Anne Ravenel – Patient Care Coordinator 

Annie is a native of Charleston. She graduated from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL with a degree in Communication and a minor in Advertising. She furthered her education by entering into the medical field, first becoming a Certified Medical Assistant and then a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Annie worked as a therapist for 11 plus years in multiple different states around the United States and primarily in the geriatric population. Annie joined ECCO staff in November 2023 as a part time Patient Care Coordinator sharing the duties needed to help the community with medical care as well as direct our clients to other resources outside our realm of practice. She enjoys working on stained glass activities, being out in nature and catching live music as often as possible. 

Ron Fishburne – Route Driver & Wellness Pantry Associate 

Ron is a South Carolina native who moved back to Charleston from Bethesda, Maryland in 2004 and has been here ever since! He attended Barton College in Wilson, NC. Ron started the inaugural women’s soccer program at Oceanside Collegiate Academy and coached from 2014-2020.  He has led a youth summer camp at the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department for the last 10 years. He is glad to continue giving back to the local community and to be a part of the ECCO Family!

Don Squires – Director of Development & Marketing

Don arrived at ECCO with over 10 years of non-profit fundraising and marketing experience. Originally from Aynor, South Carolina, he moved to Charleston in 2007 to attend the College of Charleston and has called it home ever since.

At ECCO, Don manages the planning and executing of a fundraising plan to reach an annual revenue goal from foundations, businesses, special events, individuals, and organizations. He also manages and coordinates ECCO’s outreach efforts to increase local awareness and maximize exposure for the organization.

Don holds a degree in Communication Studies, with a focus in non-profits and marketing. Prior to ECCO, he held similar positions at Windwood Family Services and The College of Charleston Cougar Club. He is also a member of The Exchange Club of Metropolitan Charleston and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Don, his wife Molly, and their little boy Gibson, live on James Island and attend Grace City Church. They enjoy traveling, Clemson football, College of Charleston basketball, shark tooth hunting, and most importantly a good coffee shop.

Ashley Avera- Marketing Manager

Ashley moved to Charleston in 2020, and originally being from Newberry, South Carolina, she is happy to call this “big city” home.  She joined the ECCO staff in summer 2023 and is passionate about creating unforgettable experiences and driving brand success. 

Ashley and her husband love trying new restaurants and going on adventures with their black lab, Millie. After work, you can see her walking around Hampton Park or window shopping on King Street.

Jason Williamson- Route Driver & Wellness Pantry Assistant

Jason brings both a servant’s heart and a steadfast commitment to the community. A Mount Pleasant resident since 2002, he offers 29 years of experience in funeral service as a funeral director — a career that has shaped his compassionate and empathetic approach to serving others. In his role at ECCO, Jason focuses on connecting critical resources with those who need them most. Beyond his work, he and his wife, Melissa, enjoy spending time on the water, often cruising the Charleston Harbor. They are members of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in downtown Charleston. Jason considers it a privilege to give back to the community and is honored to be part of the ECCO family.

Yoluanda Brown – Annual Giving Manager

Drawing on her experience in marketing strategy and business operations, Yoluanda has spent much of her career helping small business founders and CEOs succeed by improving sales, operations, and team performance. She’s skilled in tracking and analyzing performance metrics and providing insights that deepen the vision, mission, and community impact. At ECCO, Yoluanda is responsible for overseeing the aspects of giving, especially those initiatives and programs focused on individual donors through annual giving and opportunities that inspire their philanthropic support to advance our community outreach programs.

Yoluanda holds a B.S. degree in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University and an MBA from Loyola University Chicago. She grew up between Chicago and Jackson, MS but considers herself wholeheartedly a Southern girl. Yoluanda and her husband Jeff, along with their pound pup Bella, are relative newcomers to Charleston since 2022 and absolutely love all of the cuisine, culture, natural beauty, beaches, sports, and weather of the low country. They are enjoying an empty house having not too long ago graduated a daughter in tech and another who is completing her graduate studies in viola performance.

Sharon Massar – Fundraising Events Coordinator 

Sharon landed in Charleston in 1994 and never looked back. Since then, she’s been weaving stories, designing visuals, and helping businesses grow through bold messaging and smart marketing strategies. As Chief Storyteller of her own design studio, Sharon combined creative chops with strategic thinking to build brands that resonate—and convert. She’s also a seasoned event planner, known for turning fundraisers into unforgettable experiences full of energy, purpose, and fun. One of the proudest chapters in her career? Helping launch and grow a charter school that’s still going strong more than 20 years later.

Outside the office, Sharon is a proud military wife and mom of 35+ years. She and her husband Steve raised their two children, Hannah and Ben, here in the Lowcountry—where volunteering, especially with ECCO, became a family affair. (Food drives were practically a household hobby.) Sharon comes from a long line of ornithologists—so don’t be surprised if she’s always looking to the skies. As a true football fanatic, she’s happy cheering on the Gamecocks or rooting for the Dolphins. Other weekend time is spent cruising the Lowcountry waterways by boat. And rumor has it, she can whip up a gourmet meal with just four mystery ingredients. Challenge accepted?

Joseph Noble – Client Navigator & Financial Assistance Coordinator

Joseph Noble joined ECCO as the Client Navigator & Financial Assistance Coordinator, bringing more than 13 years of nonprofit experience to the team. His background includes 10 years in nonprofit finance and 10 years in customer service, equipping him with a strong foundation to support neighbors navigating financial challenges.

Originally from Miami, Florida, Joseph has called Charleston home for the past nine years. He is known for his outgoing, energetic personality and his willingness to step in wherever help is needed. Joseph is deeply family-oriented, a proud father of 10-year-old fraternal twin boys, and has a special passion for serving senior clients with care and compassion.

Outside of work, Joseph enjoys staying active and embracing new challenges. Fun fact: He once biked from West Palm Beach, Florida, to Washington, D.C. in 31 days.