Our Board Members

Kimberly Garland, Vice-President/Secretary

Kimberly brings a wealth of leadership and community-building experience to the board. At 21, she owned a sandwich shop, later managing the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce and coordinating the Woolly Worm Festival. She taught public school for eight years, homeschooled her children, and led a local homeschool co-op while volunteering with 4-H and Cub Scouts.

For 15 years, Kimberly served as Director of Children’s Ministry at a mid-size church, where she developed curriculum, organized camps, and managed a large volunteer team. She also taught English to Chinese children through daily online classes. Since co-founding a nonprofit prayer ministry nine years ago, Kimberly has served on its working board, helping organize monthly prayer services and quarterly retreats that draw attendees from the US, Canada, the Bahamas, and Jamaica.

In 2024, she published her first book, God is the Best Giver: A Christmas Devotional for Families with Young Children.

Kathryn Grandgenett, President

Kathryn is a longtime educator, advocate, and mother of two. After moving to Hickory from Ontario in 1998, her son’s autism diagnosis inspired her to seek out resources and build inclusive opportunities for families like hers.

With over 22 years in public education, she currently teaches English as a Second Language at River Bend Middle School and Mitchell Community College. Kathryn has served on the Hickory International Council, the Autistic Education Foundation, co-founded We Rock the Spectrum Hickory, and now leads The Weaving Place Inc., where she’s working to create inclusive co-housing for people with and without disabilities.

In 2019, she launched a grant-funded summer camp that brought together neurodiverse and neurotypical children through art, science, and community engagement — a project that continues to fuel her passion for inclusion and connection.

David Sigmon, Treasurer

David brings over 35 years of executive leadership in the home furnishings industry to his role as Treasurer of The Weaving Place. A dedicated advocate for individuals with autism, he co-founded the Autism Support Group of the Foothills, a mission of St. Peter's LCMS, inspired by his journey as a parent to a 26-year-old son with autism.

David combines his business expertise and personal passion to help guide the organization's mission and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Leslie McClellan, Board Member

Leslie McClellan holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Virginia and began her career teaching in Charlottesville. While in Virginia, she also volunteered with a Christian organization supporting elderly individuals with home needs.

After relocating to the St. Louis area, Leslie and her husband, Paul, served as foster parents through Bethany Christian Services. She homeschooled their sons for several years and served as an appointed board member of their local library.

Approximately 30 years ago, Leslie and her family moved to the Hickory area, where she began working in children’s library services. She served for 13 years as a school librarian at a private school and over 15 years with the Hickory Public Library system. Recently retired, Leslie now pursues personal interests, including training her dog, Reada Page, to be a therapy dog for the library’s Paws to Read program.

Leslie is passionate about supporting families with neurodiverse members and was eager to join the board of The Weaving Place Village. She is committed to helping individuals thrive by embracing their God-given talents and living life fully. An active member of her church, Leslie hopes to see The Weaving Place grow into a Christian community where families and friends live as “good neighbors.”