Our 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 – 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.

Lyndsi Gibson Holst – Senior Manager of Essential Services

Lyndsi graduated from Trident Technical College in 2012 with an Associates in Human Services and a specialization in Family Intervention, as well as Substance Abuse Counseling. She did her internship at ECCO before joining the team full-time. Prior to transitioning into her new role, Lyndsi served as Empowerment Program Manager for several years, was directly responsible for all financial literacy and education efforts, and oversaw client services and ECCO case managers. She currently oversees the efforts of the wellness pantry and clothing closet – our essential services!

When she is not working or spending time with her family, Lyndsi enjoys relaxing at any of Charleston’s beautiful beaches and trying new restaurants throughout the area.

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.

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.

Frances Huffstetler – Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager

Frances is a SC native who came to Charleston in 1997 to attend The College of Charleston. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration and has spent the past 20 years in healthcare finance and accounting. Frances started volunteering with ECCO in 2018 as a weekly volunteer, for special events and serving on various committees. Frances joined the ECCO staff in February 2020 as a part of the Marketing and Development team to help grow ECCO’s presence in the community. She enjoys baking, watching football or an old hollywood movie and volunteering with Historic Charleston Foundation. Her favorite place she has traveled to is New Zealand.

Ashley Avera- Marketing and Events Manager

Ashley moved to Charleston in 2020, and originally being from Newberry, South Carolina, she is happy to call this “big city” home. She graduated from Lander University with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies: Health Promotion and Wellness & Behavioral Health. Ashley 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 Colonial Lake or window shopping on King Street.

Jodi Mallon – Philanthropy & Stewardship Coordinator

Jodi moved to the Charleston area with her family in 2020 from Northern Virginia. She joined the ECCO staff in 2022 as the Philanthropy & Stewardship Coordinator to help build meaningful relationships with our donors and broaden our impact in the community. She has over 25 years of marketing, sales and fundraising experience across a broad spectrum of industries and organizations. She really enjoys helping other people by using her skills and talents for raising funds to support ECCO’s mission. In her free time, you can find her on the tennis courts, watching her daughter play lacrosse, taking long walks in her neighborhood, exercising with her friends, or combing the beach for shells.  She and her family are active members at The Church of LifePark. She’s incredibly grateful to be on mission here at ECCO!