Katherine Barteck, Psy.D.
Katherine Barteck, Psy.D., was raised in rural Missouri. Eleven years ago, she chose to return to her rural roots and settle her family in Northeast TN. She has owned and operated her psychology practice in Johnson City, TN since 2014. She also served our Nation’s Veterans for ten years at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, including her role as a psychologist, as well as the LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator and the Transgender Health Facility Lead.
Prior to moving to Tennessee, she provided in-home therapy to children and families in both the rural and urban communities of Northern Virginia and Maryland. Dr. Barteck’s education includes Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and French from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2001 (Go Blue!), a Master’s degree in General Psychology from the Catholic University of America in 2005, and both Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University Maryland in 2012.
In her time off, Dr. Barteck serves on the Board of Directors for the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Alliance of Northeast Tennessee & Southwest Virginia, raises 3 children (including one at ETSU, Go Bucs!), and tries to keep up with her husband of 14 years. Dr. Barteck is hopeful the DEI Alliance can help promote an economically thriving, diverse, equitable, and inclusive community in which all families can find belonging, and which enjoy and prosper in for generations to come.
Michelle Black
Michelle Black has been employed by Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership (NeTREP) since 2017, which focuses on economic and community development efforts within Carter, Unicoi, and Washington Counties, where she is currently the Community Relations Manager. Michelle became a Board Member for the DEI Alliance in 2021 to help make the place she now calls home a safer, more equitable, and inclusive place for all to live and grow, but has been a member of the DEI Alliance since 2019.
Originally from Ohio, Michelle is excited to make the Appalachian Highlands a more accepting and inclusive place that is welcome to all that want to call it home, as she now does. Ms. Black holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Historic Preservation from Savannah College of Art and Design, and a Master of Public Administration degree from East Tennessee State University which she received in 2018. When she is not working on economic and community development projects or within the DEI realm, you can usually find her creating art, doing something nerdy, or just playing with her two dogs, Grimm and Reeper.
Suzanne Bryant Ed.D.
Dr. Bryant has served in public education for 32 years. She currently serves in the Greeneville City
School district as the Assistant Director for Instruction where she supervises curriculum and instruction
for students in grades PreK – 12. She has led the district’s Diversity Team since coming to Greeneville in
2010 and credits her learning with the Greeneville City Schools Diversity team as the most personally
and professionally impactful work of her career.
Prior to her time in Greeneville, she served the Campbell County School District in the roles of Data and
Curriculum Coordinator, Elementary Principal, and Kindergarten Teacher.
She earned a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from East Tennessee State
University. Her degrees from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville include an Educational Specialist in
Educational Leadership, a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Bachelor of Science in
Elementary Education.
Dr. Bryant lives in Greeneville, Tennessee with her husband, Bobby. They have two adult daughters,
Alicia and Amanda. She enjoys reading, boating, and working with youth in her church.
Heather Carbajal
Heather is an experienced Program Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry. She is skilled in Emergency Management, Communication, Disaster Response, Team Building, and Public Speaking. Strong program and project management professional with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) focused in Communication and Media Studies from Austin Peay State University. She currently works as the Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Tennessee in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Adam Dickson
Adam Dickson is a relationship manager and servant-leader. His professional experiences include local government, community development, higher education and the nonprofit sector.
Adam currently works for the City of Johnson City, TN as Supervisor of the Langston Centre (Langston), a facility promoting multicultural awareness through community arts, education, and leadership. Langston sits on the site of the former Langston High School, Johnson City, TN’s black high school from 1893-1965. Langston seeks to accomplish three objectives. First, Langston preserves the memories of the alumni of Langston High School and celebrates Johnson City’s African-American experience. Second, Langston creates artistic and educational programs for students to learn, have fun, and develop necessary life skills. Third, Langston serves as a “community hub” for innovative ideas to address serious social problems and to promote community engagement.
Adam is an Adjunct Instructor of Political Science at East TN State University. For 15 years he has taught the course “Black American Political Thought” which examines black political ideology and the role of race in American political development. Adam currently serves as Vice-Mayor for the Town of Jonesborough, TN, and he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Carson-Newman University. He received a Master of Public Administration degree from East TN State University in 2004.
Margaret Feirabend
Margaret is a community leader serving in various roles striving for a community that builds resilience, working with Bristol’s Promise, and in addition to the ACC Leadership team, serving on the Strong Brains Advisory Board, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alliance, Family Promise of Bristol, the United Way of Bristol TN/VA, and serving the citizens of Bristol on Bristol TN City Council.
Kristie Hammonds
As president and CEO of Frontier Health, Kristie Hammonds’ personal passion is to see that anyone struggling with addiction or a mental health need would feel safe reaching out for help. As a regional community behavioral health care organization, Frontier is on the frontline of the surge of substance abuse care needs throughout the community. One of her goals is to build sufficient capacity to serve each need in the moment. Having many years of experience in a variety of health care services, she brings a unique perspective on both clinical and community-based programs. She joined the DEI Alliance to have an opportunity to learn, share and be a part of change in our Region as it relates to diversity, inclusion and systemic racism. At Frontier, we are committed to providing hope and healing. The effects of trauma and re-traumatization are real and it is vital that we understand how that affects our communities as a whole. Sharing a home in Gate City with her husband and two daughters, she relishes the beauty of the mountains. However, she is most appreciative of the generous people who are quick to help and willing to come together to help each other.
Jerry Hill
Jerry Hill, a native of Washington County, VA retired from Loudoun County, VA Public Schools in 2008 after thirty years as a teacher, supervisor, and school administrator. During his tenure he sought to promote diversity, equity and inclusion to ensure accessibility of educational opportunities for all students and to engage marginalized parents, businesses, and other stakeholders. He was nominated for Principal of the Year and his school was recognized as an Outstanding Title I School.
Jerry completed Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity (S.E.E.D.) training and has conducted workshops for teachers, administrators, high school and college students, probation officers, and community and religious organizations in Arizona, Missouri, Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, and Washington D.C.
He has served and continues to serve on several boards of directors including: Positive Youth Works, Helping Our People Excel (H.O.P.E.), Loudoun Orchestra, Loudoun YMCA, Loudoun Branch of the NAACP, Glade Area Senior Center, Meadowview First, District III Governmental Cooperative Advisory, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Alliance of Northeast Tennessee & Southwest Virginia.
Jerry returned to the area in 2015 and currently resides in Meadowview, VA.
Tina D. McDaniel
Tina D. McDaniel worked as a human resource professional for a global telecommunications corporation prior to retiring in 2017. She then became involved with the YWCA of Northeast TN and Southwest VA where her passion aligned with the organization’s mission of — Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women. While at the YWCA, she was one of the organizers of Bristol’s first annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. Her passion for Racial Reconciliation and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has facilitated partnerships with East Tennessee PBS — Black in Appalachia and other community organizations. Tina has a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership, and is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP). She has completed Cornell University’s Diversity and Inclusion certificate program. Tina has served on ETSU’s Roan Scholar selection team, currently serves on the advisory board for King University’s Institute for Faith and Culture, board member for Arts Alliance of the Mountain Empire (AAME), and a member of Northeast State Community College’s Inclusive Excellence advisory committee. She is currently employed as Human Resource Manager for Ballad Health’s Russell County Hospital in Lebanon, Virginia, and resides in Bristol, TN with her husband William.
Lottie Ryans
Lottie Ryans has served as the Director of Workforce and Literacy Initiatives for the First Tennessee Development District since April 2016. In this role, she develops creative partnerships and programs to ensure a strong workforce pipeline working with k-12, post-secondary, economic developers and business and industry. She also works with school systems and community partners to address literacy issues in an eight county region. Ryans frequently serves as a speaker for professional development workshops and as a panelist for community engagement forums. She also participates in business recruitment initiatives with regional partners.