About Hard Knox Mutual Aid

 Kayla is a community organizer, advocate, and operations professional whose leadership is grounded in radical empathy and direct action led with dignity at the forefront. 

As President of Hard Knox Mutual Aid, she helps build sustainable systems of care rooted in solidarity. With over a decade of grassroots experience, Kayla has led initiatives like Pay it Forward Columbus, coordinated resources, and built coalitions that uplift marginalized voices all over Ohio. She is  a multifaceted artist, photographer, as well as a Operations Manager at a local wildlife preserve, where her work weaves together a love of nature, sustainability, mutualism, and community resilience. 

 Austin is a cybersecurity professional and a proud father of three dedicated to strengthening community resilience through mutual support, resource sharing, and pragmatic action. He brings both lived experience in recovery and a deep commitment to service, creating space for dignity, healing, and connection. Alongside his work with Hard Knox Mutual Aid, Austin facilitates SMART Recovery and Recovering from Religion support groups, offering steady presence and compassionate listening. His commitment to continual growth and to always doing better makes him a thoughtful and dedicated leader rooted in care.

 Carla is currently transitioning into software quality assurance. She brings a patient, detail oriented, problem solving approach to everything she does. She is the wife of the best lady in the entire world and a step mom to two neurodivergent kids. Carla loves video games, Star Trek and most science fiction and horror, cats, reading, and watching wonderfully bad movies. She is also learning metal inlay wood art just for the joy of it. Ohio native, and has called Knox County home for many years.  Carla’s commitment to mutual care and growing community in everyday ways makes her a meaningful addition to our work, and we are glad to be building alongside her.  

 Amber is a former elementary school teacher, and thoughtful writer. Previously a Navy spouse who lived in Japan, Scotland, Florida, and Virginia before returning home to Mount Vernon to raise her family. She is now a stay at home parent to two children who each need the world to meet them in specific and thoughtful ways, which has deepened her compassion and her understanding of how life becomes complex in unique and personal ways. Amber loves gardening and sharing what she learns with others, even if her back does not always agree. She also enjoys puzzles, games, and any craft within reach. Her hopes for mutual aid include creating meaningful and mindful work opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities, building a community where everyone feels connected, valued, and able to share joy with one another. 

Devyn is  working on social work degree with the goal of becoming both a professional advocate and a therapist. She is a disabled woman and an advocate for human rights who brings both lived experience and determination to her work. 

She serves on our Board. She launched and has led the Hard Knox Mutual Aid Community Care Network since 2024, offering steady coordination, care, and presence. Devyn is an adopter of many beloved pets and a lover of live music, music festivals, and adaptive sports like skiing and kayaking. Devyn’s commitment to community, dignity, and collective care continues to shape the heart of our work.