Joe Barber
Director of Business Strategies
joebarber@reachingoutnow.org
Yolanda Barbier Gibson
Board Chair
ygibson@reachingoutnow.org
Dr. Yolanda Barbier Gibson became Shenandoah University’s Vice President of Student Affairs in June 2020. Prior to that, she served as Vice President for Student Success from June 2019-June 2020. As Vice President of Student Affairs, she is responsible for ensuring that all students are successful both inside and outside of the classroom. Her office oversees 17 departments including: outdoor recreation, campus safety, civic engagement, counseling, dean of students, diversity and inclusion, residential services, spiritual life, student leadership and development, student support services, student success and enrollment management, Wilkins Wellness Center, campus event services, bookstore, childcare services, copy center and mailroom as well as athletics.
Prior to Shenandoah University, she was a Fellow with the American Council on Education and Towson University was her host institution. From 2011-2018, she served as the Associate Dean of First Year Experience and the Director of Alumni Relations Officer at Marymount University. As the Associate Dean of FYE, she was responsible for coordinating and facilitating efforts across the university to provide a unified approach to interventions aimed at increasing retention and success rates of all students. In addition, she provided direct oversight and supervision for academic advising and first year seminar courses for new undergraduate freshmen and transfer students. As the Director of Alumni Relations, she provided direct supervision for the Office of Alumni Relations, including the planning and implementation of alumni programs, and provided strategic and organizational support to the alumni advisory board.
Dr. Barbier Gibson is an active board member for the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum in Winchester, Virginia and the former Board Chair of the United Way of Northern Shenandoah
Valley. She served as former Vice-Chair of the Campaign Committee, and former chair of the Women United Leadership Council for the United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley. She also serves on the board for the Council of Fellows with the American Council on Education and is a member of the Finance and Development Committee.
Dr. Barbier Gibson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marymount University in Communication Studies and Business Administration (VA), a Master of Arts degree in Community College Teaching and Doctor of Arts degree in Higher Education Administration from George Mason University (VA).
Yolanda is the wife of James Gibson and mother to Joelle (13) and Gabrielle (12) and two furry family members Onyx and Scooby.
Kim Cassford
Vice Chair
kcassford@reachingoutnow.org
Kim Cassford grew up in the Village of Babylon on Long Island’s South Shore. During the summer months, the Fredshore Beach Club served as a beloved community hub and youth center. Originally gifted to the neighborhood by developer Cadmen Fredericks, the club provided an affordable, family-focused waterfront space where Kim and her friends could ride their bikes, swim, play on the playground, meet up with other kids, and enjoy games of cards under the open-air pavilion. Occasional treats from the concession stand and end-of-summer “field day” celebrations hosted by parents added to the magic of those formative years.
Kim’s husband, David, grew up on the Isle of Wight, England, where he also benefited from a vibrant local youth center. Together, they credit these positive early experiences with shaping their values and commitment to community. It is this shared belief that drives Kim’s deep support of Reaching Out Now, and she is honored to serve on its board.
Since moving to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in 2008, Kim has been actively involved in supporting nonprofit initiatives throughout the region. She holds an accounting degree from Dowling College and currently works full-time as a consultant specializing in family office services.
Marlena Conner
At Large
mconner@reachingoutnow.org
Marlena was born and raised in Houston, Texas. As a child, she moved many times but had some wonderful experiences. Marlena has three grown children and one grandson, these additions have taught her so much about herself and who she is.
At the age of twenty-nine Marlena received a bachelors in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University, with endorsements in special education, bilingual education and the newest one, in mathematics. She now teaches the 8th grade as Skyline Middle School. She enjoys living and working in the community and wants to see it grow and flourish.
Ken Knesh
At Large
kknesh@reachingoutnow.org
Lisa Look
At Large
llook@reachingoutnow.org
Sina May
At Large
smay@reachingoutnow.org
Sina grew up on the outskirts of Front Royal and graduated from Warren County High School in 2004. After high school, she and her husband moved to the central coast of California where she attended college and earned her degree in Computer Science. They moved back to Virginia in 2013, where they now own a home and raise their two boys. She works full-time in web development and also uses her technology skills to support local businesses and non-profits.
As an alumni of the Warren County Public School system, she’s devoted to supporting the school community around her in any way she can.
Christie Sibert
Director of Finance
csibert@reachingoutnow.org
Christie Sibert is the payroll supervisor at Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS). She has been in her current position for 6 of her 18 years at FPCS. The other 12 years she worked in various areas of the finance department.
Sibert holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Shepherd College, and a Master of Science in Education in School Business Leadership from Wilkes University. She is also a Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations through the Association of School Business Officials International.
She grew up the daughter of a preacher so she spent her teen years and most of her adult life volunteering in kids and youth ministry in her home church. She resides in Front Royal, VA, with her husband and son.
Teketia Smith
At Large
tsmith@reachingoutnow.org
Teketia was born and raised in Keswick, VA right outside of Charlottesville. She graduated in 1993 from Albemarle High School and went on to attend George Mason University. She is a wife and mother of three.
She has spent the last 17 years in the school system working closely with students and parents. She has come to find that her greatest passion is being a friend and supporting all she comes in contact with.