The people
behind the ripple.
Behind every program, project, and act of kindness is a team of people who believe compassion can create meaningful change. Meet the leaders helping guide The Ripples of Kindness Project forward.
Leadership with a purpose.
The Ripples of Kindness Project is built around the belief that kindness is something we can all choose, share, and pass forward. Our leadership team works together to turn that belief into meaningful opportunities for schools, families, volunteers, organizations, and communities.
Meet the team.
Different experiences. Different perspectives. One shared commitment to creating a kinder world.
Ashley
James
Executive Leadership
Ashley James is the co-founder and President of The Ripples of Kindness Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring kindness, strengthening communities, and creating meaningful connections through compassion, service, and hope. Guided by the belief that even the smallest act of kindness can create lasting change.
Long before launching The Ripples of Kindness Project, Ashley built a global community centered on compassion. In 2020, she founded a Kindness by Mail Facebook card group that has grown to more than 10,000 members worldwide. Through this community, members exchange greeting cards, words of encouragement, and heartfelt messages with people facing illness, loneliness, loss, and life's everyday challenges.
The group has become a source of comfort and connection for thousands, demonstrating the extraordinary difference that simple acts of kindness can make.
Ashley has also been deeply involved in community service and mental health advocacy. She previously served as the Chair of the local Suicide Prevention Walk, where she worked alongside volunteers, community partners, and advocates to raise awareness, promote hope, and support suicide prevention efforts. This experience reinforced her commitment to helping others and inspired her continued work in building stronger, more compassionate communities.
Today, Ashley leads The Ripples of Kindness Project with a vision of creating opportunities for individuals, families, schools, businesses, and community organizations to work together in spreading kindness. Under her leadership, the organization develops educational initiatives, community outreach programs, volunteer opportunities, and service projects that empower people to make kindness a daily habit.
Ashley believes that kindness has the power to change lives, strengthen communities, and inspire future generations. Through The Ripples of Kindness Project, she hopes to leave a legacy that reminds people everywhere that no act of kindness is ever too small—and that together, we truly can create ripples of hope.
Emery
Hernandez
Youth Leadership
Emery Hernandez is the Vice President and Founder of The Ripples of Kindness Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading kindness, encouraging compassion, strengthening communities, and reminding people that even the smallest acts can make a meaningful difference.
Emery’s passion for kindness began long before The Ripples of Kindness Project was created. Through years of finding ways to encourage others and bring people together, Emery developed a strong belief that kindness should not be something we practice only on special occasions—it should be something we carry with us every day. This belief ultimately inspired Emery to turn a passion for helping others into a larger movement focused on creating positive change in schools, communities, and beyond.
At Socastee High School, Emery founded Encourage One Another Club, a student-led organization created to spread kindness throughout the school and local community. Through the club, Emery works to create opportunities for students to encourage one another, participate in service projects, recognize teachers and staff, and make kindness a visible part of everyday school life.
The club's message, “Small Acts, Big Impacts,” reflects Emery’s belief that one simple gesture can create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the original act.
Emery has also built experience in creating communities centered around connection and kindness. Through involvement with Kindness By Mail, Emery has helped develop a welcoming community where people can exchange cards, encouragement, and thoughtful messages for holidays, birthdays, special occasions, and difficult moments in life.
The experience of seeing people from different places connect through something as simple as a handwritten card has further strengthened Emery’s belief in the power of personal connection.
Beyond kindness initiatives, Emery has embraced leadership through school activities, community service, and extracurricular involvement. Emery has participated in Socastee High School’s Student Council and JV Cheer Team, while also balancing the responsibilities of founding and leading a school organization. These experiences have helped Emery develop skills in teamwork, communication, organization, event planning, and bringing people together toward a common goal.
Through The Ripples of Kindness Project, Emery is helping develop programs and opportunities designed to make kindness accessible to everyone. These efforts include school-based kindness initiatives, educational presentations for students, community service projects, encouragement campaigns, volunteer opportunities, partnerships with local organizations, and opportunities for people of all ages to become involved in making their communities better.
Emery is especially passionate about helping young people understand that they do not have to wait until they are adults to make a difference. Whether it is writing a positive note, helping someone who feels left out, volunteering in the community, thanking a teacher, sending a card, or simply choosing compassion, Emery believes that everyone has the ability to create change.
As Vice President and Founder, Emery works alongside the leadership of The Ripples of Kindness Project to build an organization that can grow beyond one school or one community. The goal is to create a lasting movement where kindness becomes something people actively choose, share, and pass on to others.
Emery believes that kindness creates connection, connection creates community, and community creates change. Through The Ripples of Kindness Project, Emery hopes to inspire a generation of people to recognize the impact they can have and to never underestimate what one small act can accomplish.
Sally
Stewart
Operations & Leadership
Sally Stewart serves as the Executive Director & Secretary of The Ripples of Kindness Project, where she plays an important role in supporting the organization's mission to inspire kindness, strengthen communities, and create lasting positive change. As one of the individuals who helped establish the organization, Sally has been dedicated to building a foundation that encourages compassion, service, and meaningful connections throughout the community.
Sally has a long history of giving back through volunteerism and community involvement. She has proudly participated in Alzheimer's awareness walks and suicide prevention walks, demonstrating her commitment to supporting individuals and families affected by these important causes. Her willingness to stand alongside others during times of need reflects the caring spirit she brings to every aspect of her life.
As Secretary, Sally helps keep The Ripples of Kindness Project organized and moving forward while supporting the board's efforts to expand kindness initiatives, educational programs, and community outreach. She believes that even the smallest act of kindness can create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond what we can see.
Sally is honored to be part of a team dedicated to making a positive difference and is committed to helping The Ripples of Kindness Project continue to grow, inspire others, and create lasting ripples of hope in communities everywhere.
Atchie Summers
Executive LeadershipAtchie Summers serves as Treasurer of The Ripples of Kindness Project, supporting the organization as it continues to grow its mission of kindness, compassion, service, and community connection.
As Treasurer, Atchie helps support the organization's leadership and financial responsibilities while contributing to the continued growth and development of The Ripples of Kindness Project.
Kindness starts with people.
Our leadership team is only one part of a much larger ripple. With volunteers, students, families, schools, businesses, and community partners working together, small acts can become something much bigger.
Be Part of the Ripple →