Board of Directors:

Caroline DeCelles, Board Chair and co-founder, earned her Masters of Education degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Georgia in 2010 and her Bachelor of Science in Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2008 from UGA. While in graduate school, illness ruptured one of Caroline’s eardrums, leaving her particularly sensitive to loud noise. While attending a concert a few days later, she attempted to purchase a pair of earplugs at a local music venue but the machine was empty. For Caroline, it was like an epiphany. She was studying speech and hearing and knew the importance of protecting her hearing from noise exposure. It was this experience that inspired We’re hEAR For You’s inception in 2009. Caroline currently works as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Denver, CO.

 

 Katie Carmody, Executive Director and co-founder, graduated from the University of Georgia in 2008 with degrees in Music Business & Event Planning. In 2007, Katie started working at the Georgia Theatre, a historic music venue located in downtown Athens, Georgia. She has enjoyed growing in her position there as current head of marketing and hospitality. The Georgia Theatre suffered a devastating fire in 2009. Katie continued to work for the Georgia Theatre post-fire assisting in PR & Fundraising. With the Georgia Theatre out of commission, she was able to and continues to work as an independent contractor for music festivals and special events all over the country. Katie’s knowledge of and connections in the music industry coupled with Caroline’s involvement in the speech and language communities have allowed We’re hEAR for You to flourish in both the the music industry and the scientific/educational fields.

 Nina Carter, Nashville Chapter Coordinator, Athens, GA native, Nina Carter, is a graduate of the 2010 University of Georgia Music Business program. After growing up in such a culturally rich music city, it quickly became clear that her career path would be in the music business. She began as an intern for the historic Georgia Theatre, following the tragic fire in 2009, to assist with fundraising and event management. After graduating from UGA, Nina went on the road with Atlanta based company, Shimon Presents, as Supervisor and Marketing Manager for the Work Exchange Team to promote, recruit and manage volunteers at music festivals; such as: Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, All Good, Electric Forest, and The Hangout. Once the 2010 festival season came to an end, Nina moved to Austin, TX where she spent two seasons working for South By Southwest (SXSW) as Music Panels Coordinator and Special Projects Assistant.  In July 2012, Nina moved to Atlanta to work in Writer-Publisher Relations at the leading Performing Rights Organization, Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), where she assisted BMI songwriters and publishers with administrative and creative functions; coordinates local and nationwide events; and directly supported the Vice President. Nina currently lives in Nashville as Associate Director of Writer-Publisher Relations. As a lively member of the Nashville music community,            and leads We’re hEAR For You as Chapter Coordinator.

 

 Laura Kathryn Kelley, Volunteer  Coordinator, graduated from University of Georgia in 2012 with degrees in Music Business and Advertising.  While in Athens, “LK” interned at the Georgia Theatre under Katie Carmody.  It was there that she learned about We’re hEAR For You and the importance of protecting your ears.  After graduating, she moved to Nashville to pursue her dream of being in the music industry and became head Talent Buyer/Media Relations go-to at 12th & Porter music venue.  Once in Nashville, LK began to realize that in a city filled with music, there was a serious void in hearing protection and education on hearing loss.  Feeling the need to fill this void, she decided that We’re hEAR For You needed to be in Nashville.  LK continues to work in the music industry in Nashville doing freelance marketing, promotion, and talent buying. The Nashville branch was launched in January 2014 and is continuing to grow throughout Music City.

 

Essential Contributors 2016

Rachael Huerta, Jenna Frasso, Au.D., Holly Kaplan, Au.D., Mark Doyal, Elliot Anderson, Kayla Maddle, Caroline Loss, Casey Garvin, Annie DeCelles, Brooke Dillard, Molly Turner, James Hutto, Mimi Kelly, Lydia Doyle, Liz Blue

We are so thankful for our volunteers!

Haley Conyers, Laura Callaway, Kay Roberts, Rebecca Callaway, Liane Vivian, Adam Neelly, Mary DeCelles, Peyton Thomas, Hilary Hammock, Haley Brown, Heather Perry, Bianca Guardo, Kara Barron, Kristin Laverty, Natalie Vinson, Christine Costello, Michelle Klaw, Robin Selman, Ashley Dockery, Brianna Weems, Darby Blake, Angela Walls, Whitney Berglund, Erin Jang, Kelley Dwyer, Amber Howington, Alex Andrews, Natalie Smith, Eileen Fisher, Emily Wilson, Kelsey Fortune, Maggie Swindall, Taylor O’Brien, Sadie Blount, Kristina Mimbs, Abbey Craft, Claire Tarpley, Margaret Crawford, Angela Walls, Sarah Owenby, Lauren Wells, Ginny Tucker, Courtney Presnell, Susannah Hardy, Bethany Lewis, Brittnee Tollison, Laura Butler, Lauren Smith, Jessica Goodwin, Tiffany Dozier, Emily Beckham, Rachel Rigdon, Ashley Dockery, Merrill Ahlzadeh, Ariella Ahlzadeh, Trasa Benoit, Emily Dreschel, Kate Kaiser