Meet Our Team
Staff
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Michelle Schultz
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Kaitlyn Willing
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Sarah Hirschfeldt
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Hannah Whitecotton
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Grace Abernathy
Branding and Content Media Coordinator Grace joined our team (part-time) in August of 2019 as our Branding and Content Media Coordinator. She is currently a full-time student at Auburn University, studying Public Relations. Grace is able to take her passion for creative content and combine it with the heart of Baby Steps, to produce a warm brand for our student-moms and Auburn community. When not producing content, you can find her doing freelance photography, as well as enjoying the beach or lake with her friends!
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Board of Directors
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Kerri HensarlingKerri grew up in Auburn and went on to attend medical school at the University of South Alabama. She came back to work for the Auburn University Medical Clinic for a short period of time and then joined the Lee OB/GYN, along with raising her five boys and a dog here in Auburn!
Dr. Hensarling's husband, Robert, works for Auburn University. She enjoys football, fishing, working out at Pure Barre and attending all of her kids' activities. While not taking care of her family, she serves as the trusted OB/GYN to most of our student-moms. |
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Originally from Nashville, TN, Jessica attended AU for her undergraduate degree! She now serves full-time as the Small Groups Coordinator at Church of the Highlands. She is passionate about seeing life transformation happen through authentic community, which well aligns with the vision of Baby Steps. She first served with Baby Steps in college in 2016, and now has the joy of telling people about the growing community of Baby Steps. Jessica is married to Austin Clements, a medical student at VCOM, and they are proud dog parents to an 11 pound “Dorkie” named Dash.
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Terri Knight
Terri lives in Opelika with her husband, Shey, who she met while in school at Auburn. The two married after college and after a brief stint in Birmingham they decided to return to the area to raise a family. They have two children who are also Auburn University graduates. Terri has found her passion working with college kids not only as a lecturer at Auburn University but also through mentoring students and doing life with them in whatever capacity that may be.
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Evan TaylorEvan is a designer and realtor living in Auburn with her husband and three sons. As a graduate of Auburn University’s Rehabilitation Services program, she has always had a passion for helping others.
Evan was introduced to the Baby Steps founder Michelle Schultz. After learning more about their mission and work within the community, she immediately felt led to become involved. Evan brings many years of non-profit experience, specifically in fundraising, to the Baby Steps family. She looks forward to being a productive member of the organization and bringing awareness of the services, support and love Baby Steps so generously offers to the community. |
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Dr. Rob PateMy name is Rob Pate and I am married to my junior high school sweetheart, Dana Pate. We have five kids and I am an optometrist at Basden Eye Care. I am active in the Auburn community as a coach in multiple youth sports, the color-commentator for Auburn High School football, and a writer for 247sports.com. Baby Steps surfaced on my radar when Kaitlyn Willing described the impact this ministry has been for the many that have participated.
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In Memory of Bernie Brannan
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It is with deep sorrow that one of our founding board members, Bernie Brannan, passed away in June of 2019. He graduated from Auburn University and later went on to receive a Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama's Jones Law Institute. He practiced law, always seeking what is in the best interest of children in domestic litigation.
Bernie's passion for Baby Steps goes back to events he witnessed as a student at Auburn. Two of his close friends who were in a relationship became pregnant during their sophomore year. The parents of the couple were unwilling to continue financially supporting their education, resulting in their dropping out of school in order to work. Bernie saw firsthand how tempting it was for them to end their pregnancy. He realized that although they chose to have their child, not everyone does. This is why he invested in Baby Steps, an organization that empowers women to have both their education and their baby. |
As Baby Steps continues to grow, we are on the lookout for new Live-in Supports each year! If you're interested in applying for this position, click the link below. To learn more about what this position entails, contact thrive@baby-steps.org.
CONTACT US
We'd love to hear from you.
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thrive@baby-steps.org
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Phone334.521.2184
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Mailing AddressPO Box 713
Auburn, AL 36831 |
If you are someone you know is a student and finds themselves in an unplanned pregnancy or is a student- mom, please call or text 334.521.2184. We are here for you!