If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.

USA Team

Our multidisciplinary team is made up of medical staff (physicians, nurses, community health workers) and educators (community organizers, social workers, volunteers).

Katie Mays, Secretary (2019-present)

Kathleen “Katie” Mays is an associate with Garlock & McKinney law firm, focusing her practice on estate and trust administration, estate planning, and guardianship law. Katie received her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Washington & Lee University (Lexington, Virginia), where she was the Editor-in-Chief of the university’s literary journal, co-chaired the women’s organization, and received the Ring Tum Phi award for her commitment to the student community. She then attended Duke Law School, where she was an associate editor of the journal Law and Contemporary Problems, and graduated cum laude in 2005.

After practicing for several years in securities law at a nationally known firm in Washington DC, Katie moved with her husband and children to Asheville, where they spend their spare time attempting to civilize their three young boys, fixing up their old house, gardening, and playing in the outdoors.

Kenan Hopkins, Treasurer (2017-present)

Kenan is an entrepreneur, coach, speaker, and author with a penchant for unique ideas, ridiculously good customer service and super silly company culture. He founded Valet Gourmet, an on-demand food delivery startup, at the age of 23. After growing to a staff of nearly 100 with over 125 strategic restaurant partners, the company was acquired in early 2016. In 2019, Kenan founded Cheeri, another startup that helps companies increase workplace happiness and create positive workplace experiences.

In 2011, Kenan joined EO, the world’s largest entrepreneur network, and in 2013 was accepted into their prestigious Entrepreneurship Masters Program, a three- year course - a joint venture between EO and MIT.

Natascha Van Aalst Leitner, Board Member, Marketing/Social Media Advisor (2016-present)

Natascha fell in love with Tanzania on top of Mount Kilimanjaro, in 2007, as she traveled the country and eventually became enamored with Tanzania’s breathtaking nature and friendly people full of amazing stories.

Fast forward 15 years, Natascha moved from Amsterdam, the Netherlands to the USA. Along the way she finished a Journalism degree, worked as a magazine editor, traveled extensively and took classes in photography. She eventually settled in Asheville, NC with her husband, two kids and a dog, living in a blue house with a garden, where you can find her - if she isn’t working for local non-profits or running the trails that surround her mountain town.

Since she got involved in MAMA MAISHA’s work about six years ago, Natascha has helped organize fundraisers, do marketing and build their community. Two years ago she joined the board and assumed the position of Social Media Manager, for which she has traveled back to Tanzania to photograph and write about the work MAMA MAISHA does. And she loves to tell you all her stories!

Steven Wingo, Board Member, Fundraising Advisor (2019-present)

After a 25 year career as a litigation attorney in his home state of Florida, Steven moved to live on a farm in the North Carolina mountains with his wife and two daughters. In addition to serving on the Mama Maisha board, he is a Certified Superior Mediator, Certified CrossFit Trainer (CF-L3), and a volunteer attorney with Pisgah Legal. Steven has owned and run his own law firm, managed commercial real estate, and owned and help manage a bike shop.

Steven supports MAMA MAISHA’s mission because of the great need for the services it provides in its service areas, the large impact a relatively small amount of resources can have in those areas, and because he believes empowering women will make the world a better place. 

Rene Treece Roberts, Board Member, (2020-present)

Rene is a musician, mother and fine art photographer, founding Luxe House Photographic, in 2007. She began her photography journey 20 years ago, leap-frogging between the mountains of Appalachia and the Andes. These ramblings taught her the value of solitude while opening her heart to the experience of commonality in story, character and emotion. Rene works and teaches in Asheville, as well as abroad, with recent travels to France, England, Scotland and Cuba.

She has been a helper, a giver, and a supporter of many local non-profits. She has participated in MAMA MAISHA's yearly fundraiser for several consecutive years as an art donor. She believes whole-heartedly that maternal health is a basic human right and is excited to merge the worlds of art and non-profit.

John Stewart, MD, Board Member (2020-present)

John grew up and was educated in Georgia (Emory and Medical College of Georgia). After leaving the Navy he came to Asheville and practiced OB-GYN for 25 years, retiring in 2012. During that time he and his wife Cynthia raised two sons, and now they have three grandchildren. In retirement John has continued his support of women and mothers through work with domestic violence agencies locally and MSF/Doctors Without Borders internationally. Living in Asheville and having dealt first hand with maternal mortality in Africa made MAMA MAISHA a perfect fit for him. As the newest board member, he is excited about promoting their supportive peer-based, educational, and preventative approach.

Tanzania Team