Staff
Emily Brenner Hawkins, Executive Director
emily@katesclub.org
Emily is Executive Director of Kate’s Club. She leads Kate’s Club’s day-to-day operations and works hand-in-hand with the Board of Directors to guide and implement strategic vision. This marks a period of significant growth for Kate’s Club as the organization pursues new and exciting opportunities to serve more children and the community at large.
Before joining Kate’s Club, Emily served as Vice President of Leadership Atlanta, an organization dedicated to developing metro Atlanta’s civic leadership. She is passionate about community engagement and children’s issues and is active in several local nonprofits. Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, Emily holds a B.A. in socio-cultural anthropology from The George Washington University and an M.S. in international affairs and public policy from Georgia Tech. A proud Atlanta resident since 1997, she lives in midtown with her husband, Trace, and young son, Asher.
Lane Pease, Program Director
lane@katesclub.org
Lane Pease is the Program Director of Kate’s Club. As program director, she oversees the quality of all programs offered to Kate’s Club members and their families. She ensures the programs are consistent with best practices in the field of childhood bereavement. She also leads KC Connects, the outreach program of Kate’s Club. Lane is passionate about helping children and adults through their grief journey.
Before Kate’s Club, Lane worked as a counselor in hospice and as a volunteer facilitator at Camp Stars. Prior to becoming a counselor, Lane taught English-to-Speakers-of-Other-Languages to both children and adults in the Atlanta area. She brings keen cultural awareness to her work. Lane holds a BA in Philosophy from Georgia State University and a MS in Clinical Mental Health counseling from Mercer University and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. She is an Atlanta native and lives with her two teenage daughters in Alpharetta.
Debra Brook, Program and Volunteer Manager & Director, Camp Good Mourning
debra@katesclub.org
Debra is the Program and Volunteer Manager at Kate’s Club, as well as the Camp Director. She leads the daily execution of Kate’s Club programs. Debra has 14 years of experience working with children and adolescents as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. She has experience teaching music, art, sports, and leisure education classes, and leading group initiatives. At Kate’s Club, she also implements special events for parents and families, coordinates volunteer activities, and develops relationships with community partners.
Rachel Ezzo, Director of Development and Communications
rachel@katesclub.org
Rachel is the Director of Development and Communications at Kate’s Club. As Director of Development and Communications, she works directly with the organization’s Executive Director and Board to set the fundraising strategy for the organization which includes cultivating individual donors, executing social media campaigns related to fundraising and donor campaigns, developing peer-to-peer fundraising activities, leading grant and foundational opportunities, and supporting volunteer committees in securing corporate sponsorships for special events.
Rachel joins Kate’s Club with nearly a decade worth of experience in budgeting, finance and development, along with strong technical acumen. Prior to joining Kate’s Club, Ezzo was the Director of Information and Prospect Research at Columbia Theological Seminary. Earlier, she worked for The Atlanta Opera as the organization’s finance and IT manager. Rachel received a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Economics from Georgia State University. Rachel, an Atlanta native, and her husband Zack live in Ormewood Park with their son Adam.
Therapists
Kate’s Club employs several part-time therapists who design and deliver Kate’s Club programs. They are fully licensed professionals who specialize in using art, music, creative writing, movement and activity to work with grieving children and families.
