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. 

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.

Lydia Amet
Case Manager

Lydia joined KIN in October 2025 with a refugee resettlement case management background. Lydia offers this professional experience as well as the personal experience of growing up in a home where internationals consistently gathered. Lydia originally lived in Central Pennsylvania until relocating to East Tennessee after marrying her husband, Noah. Lydia holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and biblical studies from Lancaster Bible College.

Beth Troyer
English Language Learning (ELL) Coordinator

Beth has served with KIN since 2020, first as a LaMP (Language and Mentoring Partners) tutor before joining the staff in May 2025. She also serves as the ELL ministry director at Riverstone Church. Beth and her husband Kevin are blessed with four adult children and four grand-dogs. Originally from the Tidewater Virginia area, Beth moved to East Tennessee to attend UTK—from which she earned a B.A. in history—and, thankfully, never left.

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.

Bobbie McClain
Community Liaison

Bobbie came to KIN in summer 2023 after serving as a local ELL program director, and served as KIN's ELL Coordinator until May 2025. She found that ELL opens many opportunities to serve Knoxville's international community, which ignited a passion for Bobbie for Knoxville's immigrants.  Upon finishing her stint as ELL Coordinator, she desired in her retirement to continue making important community connections for KIN. She has three married children and five grandchildren. Bobbie holds a bachelor's degree in business education and an MBA from UT Martin.

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
​Joseph Meinweiser
Charlotte Rufyiri
​Jani Whaley, Executive Director
Phil Young