Meet the Team

The people behind the movement.

Knoxville Movement Collective is a nonprofit built on community — and led by an Executive Leadership Team that also serves as our founding Board of Directors. From hosting free weekly programming to building partnerships and coordinating volunteers, our leaders guide both the day-to-day work and long-term vision that make movement more inclusive, social, and accessible for all.

Executive Leadership Team

  • Young woman with brown hair, blue eyes, and a white shirt, smiling outdoors near a river with green trees in the background.

    Ashley Johnston

    Founder & CEO

    Founded KMC to connect people through movement and community. Guides organizational vision, brand, and growth while overseeing events, partnerships, and fundraising to sustain impact.

  • Smiling man with short dark hair, a trimmed beard, wearing a light button-up shirt outdoors with trees, grass, and a body of water in the background.

    Nate Chappell

    Chief Operating Officer

    Oversees KMC’s finances, operations, and logistics. Leads strategic planning and coordinates our charity partnership to ensure long-term sustainability and community benefit.

  • A young woman with wavy brown hair and blue eyes smiling outdoors in a grassy area with trees in the background.

    Maria Zolkowski

    Chief Experience Officer

    Leads head coaches and co-heads KMC Running, shaping member experience through programming and team leadership. Brings passion for wellness and inclusion to every event.

  • A man with curly hair and a mustache smiling outdoors with trees and grass in the background.

    Eric Ruckart

    Chief Technology Officer

    Co-heads KMC Running and manages systems that keep operations seamless. Combines technical expertise with a love for movement to help the nonprofit grow efficiently.

TEAM KMC RUNNING

  • A female runner in a white tank top and red shorts running on a road at night, with motion blur in the background.

    MARIA ZOLKOWSKI

    HEAD COACH, KMC RUNNING

  • A man with tattoos on his arms, beard, and short dark hair, wearing a red and brown plaid shirt, sitting in a dimly lit bar or restaurant, leaning back against a black cushioned seat, with a slight smile on his face. In the background, there are bar stools, a round hanging light fixture, and framed pictures on a wall.

    ERIC RUCKART

    HEAD COACH, KMC RUNNING

CHECK OUT KMC RUNNING

TEAM KMC BIKING

  • A smiling man with a beard wearing sunglasses and a black jacket standing outdoors near a river, with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.

    GREG STAFFORD

    HEAD COACH, KMC BIKING

  • A man smiling and giving two thumbs up while standing outdoors on a hillside with cityscape in the background. He is wearing a helmet, sunglasses on his helmet, a black T-shirt, black shorts, and a silver chain necklace.

    CAMERSON WURTSBAUGH

    MOUNTAIN BIKING CAPTAIN

CHECK OUT KMC BIKING

TEAM KMC TRAILS & HIKING

  • Young woman with curly dark hair wearing a black cowboy hat and denim sleeveless top, sitting against a lime green brick wall.

    JANIE PEACOCK

    HEAD COACH, KMC TRAILS & HIKING

  • A man with a beard and a big smile outdoors in a snowy wooded area, wearing a green knit beanie, a black puffy jacket, and a blue backpack.

    ALEXANDER THUMLER

    HIKING CAPTAIN

  • ROCH MONNIG

    RUCKING CAPTAIN

CHECK OUT KMC TRAILS & HIKING

TEAM KMC ACTIVE

  • GABY ALUMBAUGH

    COMMUNITY TRAINER

  • NOAH HEEGEMAN

    REC SPORTS CAPTAIN

  • HESTER LAM

    FITNESS CAPTAIN

CHECK OUT KMC ACTIVE