Staff & Board of Directors
Staff
Executive Director - Gabrielle Moore
Gabrielle Moore, Learn's Executive Director, is passionate and dedicated to empowering individuals through language and literacy. With a degree in Cross-Cultural Adult Education, Gabrielle possesses a strong foundation in understanding the diverse needs of adult learners from various backgrounds. During her education, she has traveled to different countries where she has taught TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). This opportunity allowed her to immerse herself in new cultures, connect with students from different walks of life, and foster language acquisition and cultural understanding. Through her innovative teaching methods and empathetic approach, Gabrielle became an influential figure in her students' lives, inspiring them to overcome language barriers and embrace new opportunities.
Board of Directors
Kayla Payne
Current President Kayla graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and has a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina. She lives in Staunton and worked at the Staunton Public Library from 2012-2021. She now works at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library in Charlottesville as the Collections and Technology Manager. Kayla joined the Board in 2021 and hopes to connect community members with valuable literacy resources.
Roderic Owen
Current Vice-President Roderic Owen was a faculty member at Mary Baldwin University (formerly College) for over forty years -- teaching applied and advanced ethics seminars, interdisciplinary honors courses, and Peace and Justice Studies to a diverse range of students. Rod is now retired, but he still teaches an online ethics course each semester, sings in two choirs, enjoys hiking and travel (especially to his native Wales), serves as a leader in the North American Welsh Foundation, and loves taking care of his two very smart and beautiful granddaughters: Ella and Zoey. He has found it very fulfilling to serve as a tutor for LEARN for two years and as a Board member for the past year.
Nathaniel Hughes
Nathaniel is currently serving as Treasurer. He joined the board in 2023.
Sherry Ceperich
Sherry is a licensed clinical psychologist who moved to Staunton in 2020 from Richmond where she lived for 20+ years although originally is from Montana. Currently working at JMU on a grant to improve mental health for students transitioning out of high school, she formerly has been a faculty member and counseling psychologist at several Virginia colleges and universities. While living in Richmond she volunteered and worked at The READ Center, an adult literacy organization with a similar mission to LEARN English and Reading Now. She has a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Arizona State University, a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Tennessee, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She enjoys reading, hiking, dancing and considers herself a life-long learner who enjoys being part of others’ educational and well-being journeys. Sherry joined the board in 2023 and is serving as Secretary.
John Gillies
John Gillies is a retired non-profit manager who has lived in August County since 1988. He had a 40+ year career in international development/foreign aid programs, including Peace Corps (Afghanistan), US foreign service (Honduras) and non-profit technical and management positions focused on education programs in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. He has a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics and speaks Spanish and Dari.
Samantha Hughes
An Augusta County native, Samantha attended Mary Baldwin University, majoring in Political Science and minoring in History and Asian Studies. During her time on campus, she worked as a tutor and study partner for MBU’s exchange students, sparking an interest in international education that has carried through to today. During her 15 year career in enrollment and education, Samantha has worked with international students both prior to their arrival on campus and during their time in the United States. In 2022, Samantha completed her MEd in Authentic Learning and Leadership through Mary Baldwin University and is currently the Director of Admissions for the university’s residential programs. Samantha joined the board in 2023.
Kim Harris
Kim joined the LEARN Board in 2024.
Stephanie Mason
Stephanie joined the LEARN Board in 2022 and also serves on the Staunton School Board.
Anne McGovern
Anne McGovern retired from Mary Baldwin University after 33 years teaching French language and literature. She directed the Vanderbilt-in-France program in Aix-en-Provence in 1985-1986, and after coming to Staunton directed the Doshisha Women’s College/Mary Baldwin Cultural Immersion program in 1991 and the Beverley Street Studio School Art Trip to Provence in 2000. She has a master’s degree in French from Stony Brook University and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University. Anne joined the board in 2023.
Amy Mountz
Amy joined the LEARN Board in 2024.
Lauren Van Fossen
Lauren joined the LEARN Board in 2024.