Generation WE Change-Makers

Representing the Pacific Northwest, Jenny hails from Seattle and is a well-rounded addition to our team. She is our expert in all things sensory and literacy related. With loads of experience creating literacy-led, sensory-rich activities for children, Jenny ups the ante on making impact in creative ways.

Jenny comes to us with a wealth of experience. By trade, she is a trained researcher. By passion, she hoards children’s books and creates literacy-led sensory experiences for her community. Cool, right?! During COVID, when kids were home from school, and parents were desperate to occupy them, Jenny started a small business bringing thematic books and sensory experiences to the doorsteps of her neighbors. Each order delivered a crate filled to the brim with books, toys, crafts and sensory-rich activities, all mapping to a uniquely designed curriculum. Kids were learning by way of play. Her bookcase grew, kids were playing and learning, and parents were coming back for more. THAT is impactful exposure.

So, where did this passion come from? Jenny’s oldest daughter has an autism and anxiety diagnosis, which led them down a path of therapies and interventions. As a result, Jenny interfaced with the best teacher possible – her own daughter! Her home is a real life sensory experience, so who better to lead us in our goals of incorporating our crafts and sensory experiences into our story times!

Makayla Binter is a creator, organizer, and catalyst based out of Charlotte, NC who received her undergraduate degree in Biology and Studio Art at Davidson College and her Master’s Degree in Urban Design at UNC at Charlotte. She has collaborated with organizations and brands like Converse, The Carolina Panthers, Urban Outfitters, Champion, TD Bank, Adobe, Sierra Nevada and The Charlotte Hornets for digital art, paintings and live art activations. She currently works for Charlotte Is Creative as the Communications Catalyst where she hosts events, curates shows and creative experiences, facilitates workshops and manages the social media accounts.

Ashley brings the hype and bespoke creative solutions. As the hype woman for good people, places, and things, she believes that encouragement and support inspire people to do more, be more, and see more. As a strategic communications consultant, she helps small businesses increase awareness and build community partnerships. Ashley is our community connector. She never meets a stranger and always finds ways to highlight our shared humanity in the most unlikely places.

Ashley holds a Master of Science in Communications from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. Motivated and inspired to sow seeds in the potential of others, she serves on the Young Professionals Advisory Board of Carolina Youth Coalition. As a former Floridian, her simple pleasures include experiencing a mild four seasons, fall foliage and a closet full of vintage coats.

Murielle Hage is French Lebanese and she immigrated to the US in 2007 with her husband Dr. Ziad Hage. She graduated with a Masters degree in Marketing and Advertising at the French University of Saint-Joseph. She worked as a Marketing Executive at BBDO Adverting Agency in the Middle East for 6 years, and then relocated to Chicago where she headed the Regional Digital Marketing portfolio for Etihad Airways in the US for 9 years. She moved to Charlotte with her family in 2016 and currently lives in Myers Park with her husband and their three children, Christian (13), Alexander (11), and Lily-Rose (3). She teaches conversational French to adults and children, and loves to play tennis and pickleball. Fun fact: Murielle is fluent in 5 different languages. She enjoys traveling to discover new cultures. She is an active member of our Charlotte community and she is beyond excited to be co-chairing the Unique Sneaks 2024 event!

Sarah Marie Edwards MD is a current resident of Charlotte NC and native of Gatlinburg TN. She attended the University of Tennessee and played basketball for legendary coach Pat Summitt. After graduating college in 3 years, Sarah attended Quillen College of Medicine where she met her husband, Gaurav Bharti. She attended Wake Forest School of Medicine for Emergency Medicine residency where she was a chief resident. For 15 years Sarah worked in many emergency rooms in East Tennessee and North Carolina. She recently retired from ER and loves being a mom to her four wonderful girls. Being a mom is her life’s greatest joy. Sarah is supporting our organization because she has a mixed race family and knows how important it is for children to accept, cherish, and value other’s differences.