Our Staff
Our staff has a strong commitment to serving the many constituents of our organization across Southeast Ohio. But first and foremost, they focus their energies on those who take advantage of our programs and services, from CHIP to Live Healthy Kids and everything in between.
-
Director of Live Healthy Kids and Community Outreach
Bailey is a local graduate from Ohio University with a degree in Community and Public Health. Bailey previously served at LHA as the COMCorps LHK Coordinator. She is so excited to be back in Athens and especially, back at LHA. Bailey is passionate about serving her community with services and programs to help better their lifestyles with healthy food programs and active living. She enjoys spending her time with her three dogs (two she personally owns and her bonus dog her boyfriend has), Roscoe, Rocky and Hank. She also enjoys spending time outside with her significant other, as much as possible, whether it’s walking the dogs, the dog park, kayaking, hiking, you name it, she’s out there! Lastly, she is a big foodie, loves to shop,anything pink, enjoys a good book and her ultimate favorite, loves being a dog mom.
-
Fiscal Administrator
Margaret moved back to Athens, Ohio in 2013 with her family, as they wanted to raise their daughter in a community that encourages sustainable living and healthy, local food. Margaret is also the administrator of Appalachian Institute for Creative Learning and is a board member of The Birth Circle. Margaret holds a M.A. in Women’s Studies from Ohio State University and a B.A. in English from Mount Union University. Margaret lives outside of Athens with her husband, her daughter and a trove of animals.
Our Board of Directors
Our board represents a cross-section of our community and has a passion for our organization and those we serve. The members work hard to ensure long-term sustainability of the organization and oversee that the funds raised directly affect those in need.
-
Michelle Oestrike, Chair
Michelle Oestrike was the first AmeriCorps COMCorps Member at LHA and helped establish Live Healthy Kids. Michelle loves seeing how LHK has evolved and how the community has been impacted by LHA’s programs. Michelle holds an M.A. in Geography focusing on food insecurity. She currently serves as Vice President of Jackie O's Pub and Brewery. In her spare time, she also likes to travel, visit breweries, and see live music. Michelle was elected to the LHA board in Fall 2016.
-
Kari Boyle, Secretary
Kari Boyle is the Grants & Outreach Manager for the COMCorps program at Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (HCOM) Community Health Programs. Kari is a Certified Health Education Specialist, received her bachelor’s in Community Health Services from Ohio University, and is currently pursuing her master’s in public health. Additionally, Kari has served in the Ohio Air National Guard as a Public Health Technician for the past 12 years. She loves spending her free time outside in nature and watching her nieces and nephews grow up.
-
Sue Jago, Treasurer
Sue Jago is retired after working for Ohio University for 26 years. She served in several capacities there, most recently as Director of Payments. She helped start the Athens Food Rescue and served as its treasurer for several years. Sue has volunteered for LHA as a cooking coach and as cooking club facilitator. She believes that nutrition choices fuel quality of life and fully supports the mission of LHA. Sue likes to spend her time trying new recipes, hiking, camping, swimming, cycling, and spending time with her animals.
-
Randy Leite
Randy Leite is the Executive Director of the Appalachian Children's Coalition, an organization dedicated to bringing resources to the children of a region facing many profound challenges. He is honored to have the opportunity to work with so many committed individuals and organizations to make a meaningful impact in our region.
Randy recently retired as dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professions at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio after twelve years. As dean, he worked with hundreds of dedicated people to make a difference in the lives of thousands of students and to bring positive impacts to communities across the state. -
Sara Hartman
Sara Hartman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teacher Education in The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education at Ohio University. She has a Ph.D. with a specialization in Teaching, Curriculum & Learning and a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction, both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She received her Bachelor of Science from Ohio University in Elementary Education. Before working with preservice teachers, she had the pleasure of being a classroom teacher. A native of southeastern Ohio, Sara is passionate about increasing access to learning opportunities for children in rural areas and believes strongly in the work of LHA. She joined the LHA board in 2020 and is excited to contribute to the organization’s important mission.
-
Beth Ferrier
Beth Ferrier is an Athens attorney with more than three decades of legal experience working in both large and small law firms during her career to assist employers, nonprofit organizations, and individuals with their legal matters. A resident of Athens since 1990, she has served on a number of local nonprofit boards and advised nonprofit clients over the years, from incorporation to dissolution and everything in between. She currently focuses her solo practice at Ferrier Law Office, LLC on business law and estate planning. Beth’s personal success with Live Healthy Appalachia’s CHIP program in 2019 led her to serve on the Board. Beth enjoys gardening, travel (especially to the National Parks), and cooking in her spare time.
-
Caitlin Bond
Caitlin Bond is the UpBEAT (Be Educated and Active Together) Program Coordinator at OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital, a program to support the health and wellness of individuals 55 years and older. She is honored to have the opportunity to work with members of UpBEAT, to create an environment for remaining active and engaged throughout life. She has a B.A. in Food and Nutrition and is a registered and licensed dietitian. Caitlin is passionate about promoting healthier lifestyles through focus on body, spirit, and mind. She enjoys biking, gardening, knitting, and spending time with her family.
Our Advisory Board
-
Tom Kostohryz
Tom Kostohryz is the co-founder of LHA in 2010 and an active part of our advisory board. Now a part-time health and wellness consultant, Tom spent the first 30 years of his career as an employee benefits consultant, founding Southeastern Agency. Tom volunteers his time with LHA developing program sites in the Midwest region for CHIP and is excited about the gradual changes in attitudes toward healthy lifestyles. Tom holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ohio University and lives with his wife Barbara in Athens and Colorado. Tom has served continuously since 2011.
-
John Kotowski
John Kotowski is an active member of the Athens community. Besides serving actively as a part of our advisory board for LHA, John is also a member of the Owner’s Board for the Ohio University Inn. He also chairs the Donor Development Committee at Rural Action. John envisions LHA impacting the rural communities of Appalachia. He holds science and architecture degrees from Kent State University. John is an avid cyclist and loves to travel.