Meet The CRIER Staff

Kelsey Barker, Editor

Kelsey Barker, a native of Roswell, GA, graduated from the University of Virginia in 2012 and currently works as a Senior Channel Consultant of Annuity Marketing at Brighthouse Financial. Previously, she and her husband William lived in Washington, DC, Charleston, SC and West Palm Beach, FL, before moving to Charlotte in 2019. Kelsey joined the Junior League in 2016 and has enjoyed the opportunity to experience different Leagues in all the cities where she has lived! In addition to her work on The CRIER, Kelsey and her husband founded Dogwood & Dominion, an apparel company that also supports historical preservation and environmental conservation efforts in the state of Virginia. She also enjoys cooking, painting and throwing a tennis ball around for her springer spaniel, Rowdy.

Tammy Stanard, Assistant Editor

Tammy Stanard relocated to Charlotte with her husband in 2018 and is currently searching for a new opportunity to apply her vast experience in marketing. While she searches for a new role, Tammy is pursuing her passion in Interior Design taking classes at CPCC. In addition, Tammy holds a Masters in Business Administration from Michigan State University and a Bachelors in Transportation Management from the University of New Haven. In her spare time, Tammy loves volunteering with the JLC and spending time with her husband Pat, her adult step-children and especially her grandkids, Braxton, Evie, Beckley and the newest arrival due in June.

Ashel Sommermann, Advertising Sales Coordinator

Raised in the Charlotte area, Ashel Sommermann graduated from High Point University in 2014 with a BA in Human Relations. She returned to Charlotte after college and currently works at Bank of America as an Enterprise Vendor Manager. Ashel joined the Junior League of Charlotte in 2019 and is currently serving her first Active year as The CRIER’s Advertising Coordinator and a member of the Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center committee. She and her husband, Eric, live in the North End neighborhood of Charlotte with their two dogs, Gibbs and Theta. In addition to spending time with her family, Ashel enjoys reading, working out at Queen City Training and practicing her newest hobby, crocheting.

Shellisa Multrie, Reporter

Shellisa Multrie, a native of Milwaukee, WI, moved to Charlotte in 2004. She is passionate about community service and leadership. Shellisa has served on the McCrorey YMCA Board of Managers for six years. She was recognized as a 2019 George Williams Award winner for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. Shellisa has spent the majority of her career in Learning & Development in the Financial Services industry. Currently, she is the Vice President of Company Culture & Engagement at LPL Financial. She enjoys developing other leaders in her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta, and has served on each level with the current role of national appointee. Shellisa is a published author and enjoys writing editorial commentary in her free time. She also loves to cook and enjoys doing live cooking demos on YouTube and Facebook. Shellisa is a loving wife, mom of two and friend to many.

Jessica Bush, Reporter

Jessica “Jess” Bush, from Clarksburg, NJ, received her MA in Organizational Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University in 2008, and her BA in History and BA in Communication Studies from Tulane University in 2006. Jess joined the Junior League of Oakland East Bay in 2013 and transferred to the Junior League of Charlotte in 2015 after her move to the Charlotte area. Prior to moving to Charlotte, Jess and her husband Matt lived in California, Georgia and Arizona during Matt’s active-duty Army service. Jess is a stay-at-home mom to four young children, and previously worked onsite in Recruiting for LendingTree, Google and Safeway corporate. Jess enjoys crafting, reading, traveling and spending time outdoors with her family and their goldendoodle, Griffin.

Anna-Bryce Hobson, Reporter

Anna-Bryce Hobson is a native of Greenwood, SC. She relocated to New York City and graduated with her Bachelors of Arts in Politics from New York University in 2013. She went on to work for AT&T corporate for a few years before deciding to pursue a legal career. Anna-Bryce graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2018. Upon graduation, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Laura T. Beyer of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte. After finishing her clerkship, Anna-Bryce joined Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in its Charlotte office as an associate in its construction practice group. AnnaBryce serves on the board of Camping Ministries of the Carolinas and the Wake Forest University School of Law Rose Council. Anna-Bryce lives with her husband, Cauley, in Matthews. She spends her free time hiking, shopping at the Matthews Farmers Market, traveling abroad and spending time with her two dogs, Moose and Salem.

Marshall McFadden, Reporter

Marshall McFadden, a native of Rock Hill, SC, graduated from Presbyterian College in 2013 with a major in English and a minor in Art History. Marshall currently works as Manager and Assistant Buyer for KK Bloom Boutique. In 2018, she joined the Junior League of Charlotte in hopes of meeting other like-minded women and serving the Charlotte community. In her free time, Marshall enjoys trying out new restaurants, going on long weekend getaways and spending time with her King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Conroy.

Mattie Cross, Guest Contributor

Mattie Cross, originally from Atlanta, GA, received her MS in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Alabama in 2016, and her BS in Communication Disorders from the University of Alabama in 2013. Mattie joined the Junior League of Cincinnati in 2016 and transferred to the Junior League of Charlotte in 2021, after living in Charlotte for 3 years. Prior to moving to Charlotte, Mattie and her husband, Paul lived in West Hartford, CT. Mattie is a Speech Language Pathologist for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and is expecting her first baby in August! Mattie enjoys spending time in the Georgia mountains at Lake Burton with family, walks on the greenway and trying new Charlotte restaurants with friends.

Alicia Morris-Rudd, Guest Contributor

Alicia Morris-Rudd is a Charlotte native and 25-year member of the Junior League. This year Alicia is the advisor to the Education & Training Council, a member of the JLC Fundraising Task Force and a member of the Women of Color and Allies leadership advisory team. Alicia works for UNC Charlotte in development and community engagement and has served on many local and area nonprofit boards including Meredith College, Good Friends, Care Ring and the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Charlotte, among others. Outside of work Alicia enjoys spending time with her family and her “doghter” Wrigley and being by the water (ocean, lake, river) every chance she gets.