Meet Our Board of Directors
JoAnne McTague
- 29 year Charlottesville resident
- 30 years in sales, training and management at American Express
- Two years restoring homes in Charlottesville
- Animal rescuer
- Avid UVA athletics fan, home designer and yard engineer
- Proud wife, mother, aunt and grandmother
- University of Virginia 1980
Ashby Kindler
Treasurer
- 50 year resident of Charlottesville and Albemarle County
- 42 years in education – principal elementary, middle, high school
- Central office work with homeless, home schooled, homebound and family engagement
- Faculty member/consult for William Glasser International and Glasser Institute for Choice Theory
- Treasurer, former vestry: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
- Enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, reading, gardening and local music
- Enthusiastic wife of Mark and mother of Brooke, Becka and Snowden
- University of Virginia 1980, 1987
Valeria “Val” Piper
Director
- Founder of Chaski Global – A social entrepreneur dedicated to helping organizations tell their stories through strategic communications and data.
- Global Experience – Has lived in 68 countries, allowing her to connect with diverse organizations and individuals to amplify their impact through storytelling and collaboration.
- Personal Connection to Yellow Door Foundation – Her son’s cancer diagnosis deepened her commitment to the foundation’s mission.
- Leader of “Sunny Days Ahead” Campaigns – Organizes initiatives each September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to bring joy and resources to families facing pediatric cancer.
- Education – Holds a Master’s in Corporate Communications from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s in International Development & Hispanic Studies from Trinity College.
- Co-Founder of TheSheLab – Works to support and empower women in various sectors.
- Board Member – Serves on the boards of Data Friendly Space, the Shelter for Help in Emergency, and the Wawa Huasi Foundation.
- Guiding Philosophy – Believes that “every day is a gift” and channels her passion for improving lives into every project she supports.
Stacia Torrey
- Devoted mom to three daughters: Ashley (UVA Class of 2025), Lindsay (Clemson University Class of 2028) and Peyton (University of Georgia Class of 2028)
- Supportive wife to Patrick (UVA class of 1993)
- Resident of West Chester, PA for 18 years
- Graduate of Robinson Secondary in Fairfax, VA (1992)
- Graduate of UVA Class of 1997 BA/MT program
- Loves to read, travel and country music
- UVA Sports fan
Meet Our Staff
Melinda Sites:
Program Director (“Chaos Coordinator”)
- Manager at Stone Creek Village when JoAnne first approached SCV with her YDF vision.
- Instrumental in securing first apartment rental and welcoming first family in 2018.
- Property management field for over 35 years.
- Retired in June of 2024.
- Recently Joined the YDF team as part-time Program Director, aka “Chaos Coordinator”
- Born and raised in Charlottesville
- Currently lives in Fluvanna county with her husband Brent.
Meet Our Advisory Board
Greg Baer
- Professional photographer for 29 years. Greg’s photography has been published in magazines, calendars and cards
- Travels the world in search of new images
- Created Corporate Cards – a novel way for many large and small companies to communicate using Greg’s inspiring photography
- Former director at American Express – serving sales, sales training and sales management
- Happily married to Clare and enjoys traveling, golf, skiing and hiking
- Drexel University class of 1983 with a BA in Marketing
- Sponsor of Baer-Hart House, Yellow Door’s first apartment
Help More Families
The Yellow Door Foundation can only continue providing critical support to families through generous donations.