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 plays a crucial role in fostering community support by building 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, contributing to community resilience. She is a multifaceted artist, photographer, as well as an Operations Manager at a local wildlife preserve, where her work weaves together a love of nature, sustainability, mutual aid, and community resilience.

Austin is a cybersecurity professional and a proud father of three, dedicated to strengthening community resilience through mutual aid, resource sharing, and pragmatic action. He brings both lived experience in recovery and a deep commitment to community support, 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 a 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. As the wife of the best lady in the entire world and a stepmom to two neurodivergent kids, she embodies the spirit of community support and mutual aid in her everyday life. Carla loves video games, Star Trek, and most science fiction and horror, along with cats, reading, and watching wonderfully bad movies. She is also learning metal inlay wood art just for the joy of it. An Ohio native, she has called Knox County home for many years. Carla’s commitment to community resilience and fostering meaningful connections makes her a valuable addition to our work, and we are glad to be building alongside her.

Amber is a former elementary school teacher and a thoughtful writer. As a Navy spouse, she lived in Japan, Scotland, Florida, and Virginia before returning home to Mount Vernon to raise her family. Now a stay-at-home parent to two children, each requiring the world to meet them in specific and thoughtful ways, her experiences have deepened her compassion and understanding of how life becomes complex in unique and personal ways. Amber loves gardening and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others, despite her back not always agreeing. She also enjoys puzzles, games, and any craft within reach. Her hopes for mutual aid include fostering community resilience by creating meaningful and mindful work opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities, and building a community where everyone feels connected, valued, and able to share joy with one another.

Devyn is working on a social work degree with the goal of becoming both a professional advocate and a therapist. As a disabled woman and a staunch advocate for human rights, she brings both lived experience and determination to her work, emphasizing community resilience and mutual aid. She serves on our Board and has been instrumental in launching and leading the Hard Knox Mutual Aid Community Care Network since 2024, which offers steady coordination, care, and presence to foster community support. Devyn is also an adopter of many beloved pets and a lover of live music, music festivals, and adaptive sports like skiing and kayaking. Her commitment to community, dignity, and collective care continues to shape the heart of our work.