Meet Our Board of Directors

Kallup McCoy II is the visionary founder and dedicated chairperson of our board of directors. As a proud member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, he is deeply committed to elevating his community through health and wellness initiatives. Kallup's passion for fostering healthier lifestyle is evident in his leadership, inspiring others to embrace positive change and promote well-being within their lives. His unwavering dedication continues to drive our mission forward, making a lasting impact in the community.

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Kallup McCoy II is not only our founder and chairperson but also a powerful advocate for change. With a passionate commitment to sharing his story of overcoming addiction, he inspires others, particularly the men at Gadugi House. Kallup has empowered youth in various Indigenous communities and beyond, sharing his journey of redemption in schools across the nation. His insights have been featured in Men's Health Magazine and numerous podcasts, where he discusses his love for running, overcoming, and transforming pain into purpose.

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Kallup is a dedicated run coach who has built a thriving community that empowers individuals worldwide to reach their health and running aspirations. As the founder of Lionsden Fitness and Running, he is passionate about guiding his runners towards achieving their personal goals and fostering a supportive environment for all. Through personalized coaching and encouragement, he inspires others to embrace their journey and elevate their performance.

Kim is a proud member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. She was born and raised in the Birdtown Community. 

As a graduate of Western Carolina University, Kim comes to the team with a degree in Communication and Marketing. As an employee of the EBCI for the last 21 years, she has worked in the Project Management and Planning Office. Kim has assisted tribal members and tribal entities with a host of projects and provided sound solutions during her tenure with the EBCI.

Using her experience and background in Planning, Development, and Project Management, Kim brings vast experience to the Rez Hope initiatives. Partnering as a part of the Planning Committee for RezHope, she is helping to coordinate multiple upcoming events and sponsorships. She assisted with the site review for the restoration of the Gadugi House residents by planning the addition of a new gathering space for the House residents and improving the current location.

Through her unique position working for the Tribe, Kim has a network of support through several supporting boards and committees that will assist Rezhope moving forward, helping meet their purpose and vision goals.

With the love of her community, culture, and her love for children, Kim has served and continues to serve her community on several volunteer boards and committees involving the Cherokee youth. In addition to her volunteer work, Kim has found a new passion for the mission of the RezHope initiatives and believes in its goals to enhance the well-being of our Cherokee people. 

In her spare time, Kim mostly enjoys being with her husband Matt and 2 boys, Oaklan and Hudson, participating in their many hobbies and adventures, playing ball, and showing and exhibiting horses. They love to fish, hunt, and camp together.

Kim truly believes in resilience and recognizes that each of us as individuals, as well as a tribal community, can withstand and recover from our past experiences and traumas.

Manager of Community Programming, Museum of the Cherokee People

Shennelle Feather matriarchally represents the Diné Nation (Todích'íí'nii, ᎠᏂᎧᏫ, Tł'ízí lání, ᎠᏂᎦᏙᎨᏫ,) and is an enrolled citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Shennelle was raised in the Rough Branch community of Wolftown on the Qualla Boundary and currently resides in the Elawodi (Yellowhill) community. She is a member of Raven Rock Stomp Ground, has been a shell shaker for 27 years.

Shennelle is the oldest daughter of Jonathan Feather, and Cynthia Atine, with two sisters, Jatanna Feather, Meona Feather with one nephew, Ayr Wolfe.  Shennelle moved back to Cherokee in 2020 after 14 years of living in various places, Illinois, Wyoming, and North Dakota. During her travels, she obtained her 4-year Degree from Trinity International University in Biology (IL), coached college basketball at her Alma Mater, also was the Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at White Shield high school (ND) for two years and served as the High School Science Teacher. Feather also managed Egg Harbor Café, a breakfast restaurant in the Chicagoland area.

Upon moving back home to the Qualla Boundary, Shennelle worked as the Cultural Coordinator at Kanvwotiyi until January 2022. She currently is the Manager of Community Programming at the Museum of the Cherokee People. Feather is passionate about her Dine/Tsalagi/Lakota cultures and enjoys learning and teaching about Indigenous concepts and lifeways, as she understands through her own lived experiences. Shennelle works tirelessly to challenge people’s understandings of Indigenous people in WNC.

In her role as Manager of Community Programming at the Museum of the Cherokee People, Shennelle and her team are on the frontlines of educating thousands of people every year whose preconceived notions of American Indians are deeply rooted in racist stereotypes. Through intensive year-round programming Shennelle has helped promote the Museum’s efforts to disrupt and subvert these stereotypes, while also challenging her own community to connect and to heal. Shennelle currently serves on the RezHope Board of Directors as the secretary and also serves as on the Board for Center of Native Health.

Feather is honored to be able to serve her community and tribal nation. She enjoys beading, jingle dress dancing, hanging out with her nephew, and in her free time you’ll find her with her Boston Terrier, Lucy.

Coming soon

Bob has worked in the substance abuse treatment and substance abuse prevention field for over 35 years.  

Presently, he is the Classification Officer and the Reintegration Program Manager for the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office.  Bob has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Maryville College in Maryville, TN, and a Master of Arts degree in Applied Orthodox Christian Studies from St. Sophia Orthodox Seminary in Somerset, NJ, and is presently enrolled in the MDiv program at St. Sophia’s.  

In addition to working in treatment programs, he has worked street ministry with the homeless population, was a Social Worker with child protective services, and was the owner and lead teacher of a ShaoLin Kung Fu school in Asheville, achieving the level of ShaoLin Master Instructor.  He is a priest in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and serves as the pastor at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Waynesville, NC.

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Originally from San Diego, Bob grew up in East Tennessee and now lives in Waynesville, NC with his wife. They have three adult children between them and are enjoying the peace and quiet of an empty house. In his spare time, Bob  is an ardent canoeist, backpacker, fly fisherman, and loves doing all those things with his wife in the mountains of Western Carolina.

Kim is a lifelong resident of Swain County and has practiced law for 26 years in WNC, serving individuals and governmental entities in her profession. 

With the love of her community and her legal background and experience, she has served and continues to serve on several volunteer boards for non-profit organizations. 

Kim believes in RezHope, its ends and its role and purpose in our community and looks forward to its long and sustaining impact in the community and most importantly, in the lives of those it will serve. 

In her spare time, Kim’s passions are spending time with her two children and hiking in our beautiful mountains.