Founders

As a young child I longed for connection due to many experiences and challenges throughout my life. I unfortunately didn’t find solid connections till I got older. The journey to find them was challenging and many times I felt lost. I always knew connection was important and a vital part of mental and emotional wellness. 

Growing up as a person of color there were many hurdles to climb, and friendships did not come easy. We moved around a lot during certain periods of my life which created its own set of barriers. Fitting in became a constant struggle as a child. I saw others who appeared close with one another, which caused sadness and resentment within me as a child. I became a detached person for a period of time in order to protect myself emotionally. 

As I entered my career field in my early twenties, I saw more and more people who had similar experiences as I did and who were lost within themselves and in life overall. Throughout my career I started thinking of ways to help people build connections and support networks. With the way of technology in recent years there is so much opportunity to reach more people and for them to have a variety of supports and quality friendships. As a clinical therapist I see every day the impact of the lack of support in people’s lives. The mission to create Ave! comes from both a personal and professional outlook on how important connection is.

Kayla is a compassionate and experienced professional dedicated to helping people overcome their challenges and achieve their goals. With a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and years of experience working in foster care and providing Equine Assisted Therapy, Kayla has a deep understanding of the complex needs of vulnerable populations, especially the overwhelming need for deep connections and support systems. She is also a certified Life Coach and Enneagram Coach, using her expertise to help her clients navigate through their personal and professional challenges.

Kayla is currently working as a Targeted Case Manager, where she has been supporting adults with mental and physical disabilities in Home and Community Based Services for the past 3 years. She also volunteers with various organizations such as Stables Strides, Mustard Seed, and Tessa, and recently joined the board of Sponsor A Space, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing clean and organized spaces to those who need them.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Kayla is also the co-founder of Ave!, a community-building platform that emphasizes the importance of deep friendships and support systems, especially for adults. Through her work with Ave!, Kayla has gained a deeper appreciation for the power of connection and the positive impact it can have on people's lives.

Kayla's dedication to improving the lives of others extends to her personal life as well. She enjoys going on adventures with her family, including camping, fishing, and boating. But no matter what the adventure is, she always makes time for her favorite indulgence: Boba Tea!