Meet #OurTeam
Kara Finger,
Executive Director
Kara Finger has more than a decade of nonprofit experience and is currently serving as Executive Director for the Wesley House. Prior to the Wesley House, she impacted the community as the Vice President of Programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee from 2012-2019. She began her work at Big Brothers Big Sisters as an intern in 2007 and worked in several positions prior to her position as the VPP. Kara also graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Family Studies in 2007. In 2015, Kara completed the Consortium for Social Enterprise and Effectiveness through the Haslam College of Business at UT.
Samantha Beaudry,
Chief Development Officer
Samantha Beaudry has ten years of experience in the non-profit sector working with organizations such as Goodwill Industries-Knoxville, Remote Area Medical, and The ALS Association. Additionally, Samantha served as an AmericCorps member from 2016 - 2017 where she helped make a difference in the Knoxville community through beautification and volunteering. She holds a Master of Public Health with a focus in Health Promotion and Education. She also worked as a summer camp counselor for four years while she was working toward her bachelor’s degree. Samantha has a strong passion for serving her Knoxville community and is grateful to be part of the Wesley House staff!
Porschia Pickett,
Chief Program Officer
Porschia Pickett has had the privilege of serving in the non-profit field for over a decade. Porschia holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, as well as master’s degree from Carson-Newman University in Social Entrepreneurship with a concentration in Christian Community Development. She’s served in various roles within the Knoxville community, including Community Schools Resource Coordinator, Student & Family Support Coordinator for Project GRAD, and a Club Director for a Boys & Girls Club. Her passion for youth and the community rest in wherever God places her to serve and she’s very excited to be part of the Wesley House family!
Denarius Ross,
Director of Youth Services
Denarius Ross was born and raised in Flora, Mississippi and moved to Tennessee in August of 2022. In 2018, Denarius graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Belhaven University. He went on to get his Masters of Science in Psychology from Walden University in 2022. Denarius has also obtained his RBT, Registered Behavior Technician, certification in September 2022. Denarius worked at Region 8 Medical Health as a Psycho-Social Rehab Technician, a file clerk, and served as a case manager between 2016-2019. He went on to serve as a case manager at Apelah Foster Care from 2019-2020, and then transferred to Meritan Foster Care where he was promoted to Case Manager Supervisor until 2023.
Aaron Solomon,
Director of Community Partnerships
Aaron Solomon was born and raised in Houston, Texas and has been in the East Tennessee area for 6 years. He attended Maryville College where he graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He served as a Bonner community Service Scholar at Maryville and served at the MLK Center, Boys and Girls club, and many other non-profits during his college career. He also is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Inc. He has always had a passion for ministry and helping serve minority communities with backgrounds like his growing up in Houston. He is very excited to be able to play a part in the Wesley House and help propel the organization and its community forward.
Sasha Holloway,
Middle School Coordinator
Sasha Holloway is a Knoxville native born and raised right here in our Mechanicsville Community. Prior to the Wesley house, she has a background in dentistry being a Registered Dental Assistant for 5 years. She began her journey at Wesley House as a parent which then evolved into a part time program counselor in September of 2022 and since then has become our Middle School Coordinator. Outside of Wesley house, she loves to volunteer as a t-ball coach, spend time with her daughter and goldendoodle. Sasha also serves as a mentor for Girl Talk Inc. with two beautiful mentees. Sasha has a strong passion for kids and loves pouring into our youth.
Juanita Miller,
Outreach Coordinator
For fourteen years, Juanita Miller has been diligently working with the Wesley House Community Center. Juanita oversees our emergent needs services, including our food pantry and Red Bird Community Store. If you can’t find Juanita in the food pantry, you will be able to find her helping our WISE program on Fridays! Coming from our community, Juanita appreciates working with families who share similarities with hers!
Elisha Yarbrough,
Administrative Coordinator
Elisha Yarbrough has worked at Wesley House since 2018. Elisha started working at Wesley House as a counselor for our youth development program and has since become our full-time Administrative Coordinator. Wesley House has been a part of Elisha’s life since she was a child, when she attended our youth develpoment program as a student from kindergarten through 4th grade. So, Wesley House has been a part of her life from ages 5 to 25!
Meet our Counselors!
Mr. Felix
Ms. Amy
Mr. Chris
Ms. McKinsey
Ms. Jada
Ms. Dasani