Our Leadership
Daniel Watson
Daniel and his wife, Mandy were both raised in single mother homes. As a result of their experiences they launched The Restoration House in support of single mother families in 2007. Since then, he has helped develop The Restoration House’s Village, a restorative mixed-income community, and has consulted with over 39 organizations across 10 states and in 2 countries in organizational development and best practices.
In 2010, Daniel was honored as one of Knoxville’s Top 40 Under 40 Business and Community Leaders by the Greater Knoxville Business Journal. Daniel is also an alumni of Introduction Knoxville – Class of 2011, Leadership Knoxville – Class of 2014, and UTK’s Consortium for Social Enterprise Effectiveness – Class of 2014. Daniel served on the Knox County Board of Education from 2020 to 2024. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the United Way’s Bright Steps initiative where he focuses on ensuring a more equitable and accessible early education system for all children and families. He holds a BA in Christian Education and a MA in Ethical Leadership from Johnson University.
In his free time he enjoys milling lumber and spending time in his woodshop. He and Mandy have three amazing children that continue to inspire them to never give in and to continually invest back in our Knoxville community.
Lori Haskell
Lori Haskell joined The Restoration House of East TN in 2011 and in 2018 was promoted to Director of Programs. In this role Lori ensures program integrity, manages all program staff and serves as the liaison for strategic community partners. In addition to her primary role, Lori is also a certified facilitator for the Cost of Poverty Experience, serves as a lead trainer for Faith and Finances with the Chalmers Center of Chattanooga, and previously served on the Member Advisory Council (MAC) for the Economic Mobility Exchange with EMPath. Lori is also a proud member of the Christian Community Development Association’s National Cohort 8.
Lori holds a BA in English and a certificate of completion from the Consortium for Social Enterprise Effectiveness at the University of Tennessee. In 2021, she completed a MA in Ethics and Leadership.
Lori is married to her college sweetheart, Jonathan. Their favorite lifetime accomplishments are their three young adult children, Justin, Ethan and Kayla. She is grateful for all that she learned during the 12 years that she and her husband, Jonathan, spent in cross-cultural ministry, including 10 years in the country of Hungary.
Lora Foxwell
Lora joined The Restoration House in 2018. She is a graduate of Johnson University where she obtained a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.Lora believes that the most effective way to support parents and children is to support the family unit. In her role as Director of Advocacy, she leads the Advocacy Team as they utilize a whole-family approach in their work with program participants towards goal attainment.
Prior to working at The Restoration House, Lora spent 8 years living in Japan where she was part of a team that launched a social enterprise employing women adversely affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. There she met her husband, Jordan, who was born and raised in Tokyo. Their hearts will always live in two places. Lora loves teaching English to speakers of other languages, especially Japanese women.
Lora and Jordan’s greatest joy is raising their twin daughters.
Carrie Pickell
Carrie is the Coordinator for Housing and Community Life at The Village. In this role she not only ensures families find a place to call home, but that they also discover ways to engage with their neighbors through a robust, healthy community environment. Carrie also helps facilitate the Village Lead Team. Pouring into this group of leaders from The Village as they lead their community continues to be a highlight of her work at TRH.
Carrie is a Knoxville native. As a graduate of Covenant College with a dual degree in Community Development and Economics, she is passionate about being a part of restorative work.
Carrie, her husband Kyle and their 2 children, live in North Knoxville with their dog Zoe. She enjoys being outside, reading a good book and traveling to new places.
Nikki Baker
Nikki joined The Restoration House staff at the end of 2023 after serving on ally teams for over 4 years. She values establishing encouraging relationships and empowering others to pursue their best selves through health and holistic wellness.
A southeast Georgia native, Nikki graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Georgia Southern University and a Master’s degree in Education from Valdosta State University. She served 16 years in K-12 education followed by one year in higher education as a wellness coordinator at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Nikki loves plants, books, hiking, working out, and spending time with her husband Shawnry and daughters Kenley and Eden.
Alex Phipps
Alex joined The Restoration House in 2024. She obtained her Master’s degree in Communication Studies in 2019. The daughter of an executive chef, Alex moved frequently so her identity is rooted in relationships rather than a particular geography. Alex is passionate about creating inclusive communities where everyone can thrive and every voice has the opportunity to be heard.
When she is not working, Alex can be found exploring the mountains and rivers of east Tennessee with her Great Pyrenees Emma, enjoying a good book and hot tea, or crafting culinary treats in the kitchen. Alex is a proud aunt to two nephews, Connor and Jonathan, who remind her every day to embrace the child-like joy in every aspect of her life.
Vicki Arpino
Vicki joined The Restoration House in July 2013 as a volunteer and then joined the staff early in 2014. She has served as administrative assistance, housing manager, and office manager. Prior to joining TRH she worked as a billing specialist at a local medical practice in Knoxville for over 14 years.
Having been a single-mother to her two children for several years she has a vested interest in the work of The Restoration House. She is passionate about providing first hand experiences to better serve the single mothers in the Knoxville community.
Vicki is married to David Arpino. They have 3 grown children, a son-in-law and 2 grandkids.
In her spare time, she and David enjoy playing with their grandkids, going to the mountains and visiting antique shops as well as taking family vacations to their favorite area around Charleston, SC.
Raquel Leal
Raquel joined The Restoration House in 2020 guided by her passion to work and empower women. She was born in Venezuela where she obtained her Law degree in 1999 and became a Human Rights Activist in 2015. Raquel came to East Tennessee in 2017 with her husband Wally and their two girls.
She has been an interpreter for Spanish speakers in different organizations and worked as a Culturally Specific Victim Advocate helping victims and survivors to navigate the legal-social-cultural system.
Raquel is the Founder of LATINAS TIME, a group that seeks to inspire Latina Women in East Tennessee to find their own value and identity, encourage them to become leaders, entrepreneurs and to better involve themselves in their communities.
Kylee Lillis
Kylee joined The Restoration House in 2021 with a background in youth development and a passion for helping kids navigate their world in healthy, proactive, and intentional ways. She created the organization’s youth development program, On Belay, which walks alongside children through social-emotional learning, leadership development, and community building.
Now serving as the Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator, Kylee enjoys crafting fun and engaging designs, dabbling in videography, and building authentic connections with volunteers to learn about their passions and how they align with The Restoration House’s mission.
Kylee earned her Master’s in Elementary Education after completing her B.A. in Art, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In her free time, she enjoys playing ultimate frisbee and board games with friends, alongside her husband, Austin.
Rachel Shipman
Rachel joined the Restoration House in July 2024 as the Elementary Youth Advocate. The Knoxville native graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a minor in Child and Family studies. She is passionate about working in youth development and loves creating meaningful and memorable moments with kids.
When she’s not at work, Rachel enjoys hiking, journaling, cooking, and live music. She also finds time to volunteer to work with high school students in the Fountain City community.
Kelly Dineen
Kelly joined The Restoration House in 2025 as a Youth Advocate. As a former educator, she is passionate about helping children grow and thrive– educationally and emotionally. She is excited about working with elementary aged students and helping them to set and achieve goals. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2019 with her Masters in Elementary education and taught fourth and fifth grade for five years in local schools.
Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband, Tyler, and their pets. She enjoys being outdoors, exploring all that Knoxville has to offer, reading, and cooking.
Dylan Pentecost
Facilities and Maintenance Technician
Phone: (865) 500-6862
Dylan Petecost
Dylan Pentecost is a Tennessee native, but recently spent the past 6 years serving in Montreal, Canada. He and his family spent their time working alongside the community to create a local food bank, a community collaboration nonprofit, and sharing Christ with young adults in the city. He is a University of Tennessee Alumni, where he studied Public Relations and Business Administration. Dylan is passionate about sharing the journey of knowing Christ with others in authentic discipleship. His time in Montreal has greatly shaped his journey with the Lord and his zeal for all nations to know Him.
Dylan married his high-school sweetheart. Together they enjoy playing with their 2 year old son at the park, the zoo, or the mall. In his free time you can find him cooking, playing disc golf, and trying all the ice cream flavors at Cruze Farm. He and his family are grateful for this time in Knoxville!
Board Members
Kara Brown
President
Kara Brown
Kara’s background is in communications and event management. She previously worked for the Carolina Panthers and now is VP; Corporate Events Manager, CEO and Executive Communications at Bank of America. She is a native of East Tennessee.
Sara Yoakley
President Emeritus
Sara Yoakley
Sara had a 25 year career in public housing and is on the board of American Property Management in Knoxville, TN. She has been a volunteer with The Restoration House since day one having walked with three participating families over the last ten years.
LaTonya Jordan, CPA
Treasurer
LaTonya Jordan
LaTonya is a professor of accounting at UTK and an entrepreneur. She and her husband have three beautiful little girls. LaTonya has served on the boards of GirlTalk, Uunik Academy, and Jack and Jill. One of her passions is seeing mom’s empowered so their children have access to every opportunity.
Keely Ritchie
Secretary
Keely Ritchie
Keely is a Financial Advisor with Pinnacle Financial Partners. She is a commercial lender, but says her greatest passion is helping lower-income families access homeownership. Keely has seen firsthand the life change difference owning a home can make.
Gabriel Bolas
Board Development Chairperson
Gabriel Bolas
Gabe is the CEO of KUB. He was raised by his single mom and understands the challenges and the opportunities. He and his wife Tarah, have three amazing children and have been actively engaged in The Restoration House for years before coming onto the board.
Carolina Boscan
Marketing Chairperson
Carolina Boscan
Carolina is a realtor with Realty Executives. She is active in the community through Centro Hispano and other local organizations. As a single mother she uniquely understands the struggles of the mother-led families of The Restoration House.
Doug Wright
Scholarship Chairperson
Doug Wright
Doug is retired after 27 years in the plastics industry. He and his wife, Marcie are long time members at Fellowship church and have both engaged with The Restoration House for years.
Amy Moden
Amy Moden
Amy is the Director of Social Services at the YWCA. She, her husband and two children are proud members of NorthStar Church. She is a graduate of Johnson University and is also an alumnus of The Restoration House.
Dylan Dameron
Dylan Dameron
Dylan is a former Knoxville Fellow. He and his wife, Lia are worship leaders at Resurrection Presbyterian Church. He is the VP at Axle Logistics.
Dr. Javiette Samuel
Dr. Javiette Samuel
Javiette is the Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Community Engagement and Outreach at the University of Tennessee. She is an experienced community-engaged scholar working with a variety of underrepresented populations over the last 25 years. Javiette started her career at UT as a young single mother. In spite of the barriers and challenges before her she was determined and achieved her Ph.D. by the age of 28. Her life has been dedicated to helping make a way where there seems to be no way for individuals and communities on the margins.
Jennifer Craven
Jennifer Craven
Jennifer is a Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch in Knoxville. Before joining the board she served as an Ally, walking with mother-led families through The Restoration House.
Joshalyn Hundley
Joshalyn Hundley
Joshalyn and her husband have three children and nine amazing grandchildren. She understands the challenges that many mother-led families face, having been a single mother early on. Joshalyn is the VP of Community Development for the East Region for First Horizon Bank and has served on several boards including, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Homesource East TN, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, Wesley House, United Way, and the Tennessee Affordable Housing Coalition.
Kevin DuBose
Kevin DuBose
Kevin is the Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development with the City of Knoxville. Has has worked for twenty-five years in economically under resourced communities in Christian community development and affordable housing. Kevin was raised by a single mother that overcame many challenges. He is married to Dr. Sheryse DuBose and they have 4 sons.
Patty Bowlin
Patty Bowlin
Patty has over 40 years of experience in early childhood education. She recently retired as the director for Child Care Resource & Referral after 20+ years. Patty and her husband of 43 years have 2 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws, and 4 grandchildren.
Terry Morgan
Terry Morgan
Terry is the Client Service Associate at The McGlothin Group at Morgan Stanley. Prior to that Terry served as the Executive Director for the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee. She has been engaged in good work through Knoxville in a variety of capacities over the years.
Past Board Members
These are community members who have served on the board in years past, and worked to build a strong foundation in order to impact single mother families long into the future.
| Craig Covert | Nic Nicaud | Carol Reeve |
| Russell Biven | Stacy Smith | Laura O’Connor |
| Paul Jaeger | Rebecca Wolfenbarger | Rick Coleman |
| Andy Holt | April Jackson | Crystal Clark |
| Jack Bender | Jason Warden | Jody Griffin |
| Joel Baker | John Hall | Kelli Thompson |
| Lucy Spurgeon | Lyn Overholt | Pam Wolf |
| Kim Frazier | Debra Smith | Misty Mayes |
| Billy Fulghum | Leigh Avery | Heather White |
| Ed Curtis | Becky Paylor | Alan Guy |
| Joe Petre | Robin Gibson | Ramona Koplan |
| Cortny Bean | David McMillan | Alan Williams |
| Susie Whitener | Ola Blackmon-McBride | Bill Myers |
| Grant Standefer | Shelly Wilson |