Team

Katie Lowe

UPLIFT Program Coordinator

Katie is a Certified Child Life Specialist who currently works at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.  She is extremely passionate about supporting children, teens, and families through stressful life experiences and loves helping individuals overcome their challenges.

Katie obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Florida Southern College and a graduate degree at the College of Charleston in their Master of Science in Child Life program. 

Anna Lonon

Founder

As founder of The Lonon Foundation, Anna is driven by her own experience after losing her husband to cancer with two children to raise.

Anna is a writer/editor for a software company. Previously, she worked as a Visiting Instructor in English at the College of Charleston, with a focus on composition and rhetoric. She earned her Masters in English from the College of Charleston and The Citadel.  She earned her BA at The University of South Carolina, where she met Michael Lonon.

Formally, Anna served as the Assistant Director of Strategic Development and Communication for the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance.

Anna enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with her family.

McKenzie Evans

Interim vice president
secretary

After attending College of Charleston and earning an Associate’s Degree in Science, McKenzie went on to graduate from the University of South Carolina-Upstate MBSON, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She is currently a Registered Nurse in the emergency room at an Upstate hospital. 

McKenzie first became involved with The Lonon Foundation when she was assigned a marketing project in an English class at the College of Charleston. It was there that she met Anna Lonon and helped found The Lonon Foundation. Since then, McKenzie has been pivotal in a variety of ways including, event photography, marketing material ideation and creation, fundraising, and finance. 

McKenzie prides herself in saving lives as an emergency room nurse, then being able to go home to her daughter, Piper, and her husband, Dallas. McKenzie and her family enjoy long walks with their two dogs, time in the garden planting flowers, and spending time outdoors.

Sam Myers

Treasurer

After earning his bachelor degree in Psychology from the College of Charleston, Sam chose to join Edward Jones in 2018 as a second generation financial advisor. Today, he helps families in the Charleston area with their financial needs to support their aspirations in life. 

Sam was introduced to the Lonon Foundation by his fiancé, Katie. After hearing first-hand the impact of the Lonon Foundation, Sam was eager to be involved.

In Sam’s free time, he enjoys playing golf, spending time with Katie and exploring the low country with their dog, Tate

Allison Hardy

Allison Hardy is a Senior Director, Healthcare Integration with Oracle Corporation.  She focuses on leading her team to partner with clinicians to increase satisfaction and EHR efficiency. Allison works with her clients individually to ensure the value of their strategic partnership, provide ongoing client relationship support, and influence the clinician’s experience.

Allison received her Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Health Management from Northwest Missouri State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri.

Allison is passionate about helping children of caregivers or parents with cancer navigate their experience and find a community. She lives in Missouri with her husband and two kids. They enjoy boating, hiking, and playing various sports.

Dr. Ajay Sood

Dr. Sood grew up in the Charleston area, attending Hanahan public schools and later transferring to the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.  He attended UNC-Chapel Hill as an undergraduate, and later returned to Charleston to attend Medical School at the Medical University of South Carolina, completing his psychiatry training at University of Virginia and MUSC.  He primarily works with children and adolescents at various settings.  Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, and music.  

Jennifer Page

Jennifer Page is a nurse practitioner within an ENT/head and neck cancer practice in Charleston, SC with over 20 years experience working with cancer patients and their families. She focuses her care on the whole patient, providing excellent evidence-based medical treatments, as well as guidance for the social and emotional aspects of caring for an adult oncology patient and their families. She is also a cancer survivor and current Uplift mother, so empathizes and serves as a resources to her patients, families, colleagues, and friends. 

Jennifer graduated from Presbyterian College with her BS in Biology and went to the Medical University of South Carolina to complete her BS in Nursing. After practicing as an RN, she completed her MSN at MUSC and her certification as a nurse practitioner with the AANP.

Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband and their two boys in the outdoors, boating, cooking, reading, and attending local sporting events and concerts.

Jennifer Stout

Jennifer Stout serves as a South Carolina State Certified Educator for Dorchester School District Four. She has 15 years of experience in elementary education serving as a tutor and mentor in grades K-5, teaching gifted and talented students, and teaching grades 5th-6th. Jennifer enjoys working with children to help them achieve their full potential. 

In her free time Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, pets, and friends. She also enjoys reading, cake decorating, and nature. She is excited to be able to make a positive contribution while working with The Lonon Foundation and the UPLIFT Program.

Chloe McAuley

Chloe McAuley has taught at The Little School at Grace Church for the past six years. Prior to this, she taught the Fourth Grade. Chloe attended The University of South Carolina, where she double majored in Art History and English. She then attended East Carolina University for her teaching degree.

​She has been married to Jody H. McAuley for more than 25 years and has two daughters, Chloe, a sophomore at The University of South Carolina, and Clark, a rising Senior at Porter Gaud School.

Chloe met Anna, Mike and Jack when Jack was in her 4 year old class at The Little School. Being able to provide support to Jack during such a difficult time was very important to Chloe and she hopes to be able to help other children in similar circumstances.

EmmaMarie Broome

EmmaMarie is an accomplished wellness leader with over 10 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. She holds both a BS and MS in Kinesiology from the University of Central Missouri, with a focus on marketing, branding, and management.

EmmaMarie became involved with UPLIFT when she married into a UPLIFT family. She has been amazed at all the love and support UPLIFT provides and is honored to be part of the ongoing mission.