Meet Our Team

Jani Whaley
Executive Director

Jani first joined KIN as Volunteer Outreach Coordinator in 2017, then stepped into the Executive Director role in 2020. Her previous experiences include working with refugees and other internationals both locally and overseas. Jani has six grown children and two grandchildren. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and nonprofit management from Johnson University. 

Susie Isaac
Operations Director

Susie has been with KIN since it began in 2010 and served as board secretary before coming on staff in late 2021. She and her husband, Issa, a native Arabic-speaker, have ministered to Knoxville's local Arabic-speaking community since moving to Knoxville in 2008. They have two children: a son who is a recent graduate of UT, and a daughter enrolled at The Ohio State University.  Susie holds a bachelor's degree in communications and a masters in Christian education.

Michelle Hurton
Volunteer Coordinator & Case Manager  

Michelle joined KIN in April 2024 and comes to us with a background in both volunteer coordination and case management, having served with several local nonprofits previously. Originally from Central Pennsylvania, Michelle and her husband, Kevin, have two married children and have called East Tennessee home for over 20 years. Michelle holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Messiah University and a master’s degree
from Shippensburg University.

Bobbie McClain
English Language Learning (ELL) Coordinator

Bobbie came to KIN in summer, 2023 after serving as a local ELL program director. She found that ELL opens many opportunities to serve Knoxville's international community, which ignited a passion for Bobbie for Knoxville's immigrants.  She has three married children and five grandchildren. Bobbie holds a bachelor's degree in business education and an MBA from UT Martin.

Anna Garlington
​Community Liaison

​Anna was on the team that founded KIN in 2010, serving with this committed group for 4 years before moving overseas. In 2021, she returned to metro Knoxville, and is excited to be back in this new season with KIN! Anna is married to Ned, and they have four adult children. Anna is fluent in Spanish, French, and Moroccan Arabic. She holds a B.A. from Columbia International University.

Cindy Hood
​​Community Liaison

Cindy is wife to Brad and mom to Anna. She has been a member of Central Bearden Church for over 25 years.  In 2005, she lead her Sunday School class as they sponsored a refugee family through Bridge Refugee Services, setting set in motion a ministry calling to internationals in the Norwood community. She has been a volunteer with KIN since 2014. The Hoods relocated from West Knoxville to the Norwood community in April 2016 and are very excited about ministry opportunities God continues to give them there. In October 2018, Cindy was named Director of Welcome House Knoxville, an ecumenical ministry of Christian hospitality to internationals, established as a nonprofit in 2019. WHK exists to form long-term relationships through short-term housing. Cindy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Cedarville University and is originally from West Virginia but LOVES Knoxville!

Board of Directors

Dick Nixdorf, Chairman
Jennifer Fiebig, Secretary
Stanton Hadley, Treasurer
Svitlana Hutvert
​Joseph Meinweiser
Charlotte Rufyiri
​Jani Whaley, Executive Director
Phil Young