Leadership & Board
Guided by individuals committed to faith, education, and service to our community.
Our Leadership
The Southeastern Kentucky Faith-Based Scholarship Fund is supported by a dedicated group of individuals who bring a passion for Christian education and community impact.
Our leadership is committed to ensuring that the organization operates with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Governance & Oversight
Board members provide guidance and oversight to support the organization’s mission and ensure responsible stewardship of resources.
The board operates in accordance with established policies and is committed to maintaining a fair and objective scholarship process.
Board Members
Sara Wolfe, PhD
Co-Founder & Board Member
Sara Wolfe has a heart for serving others and a deep passion for helping students and families access quality Christian education. As a former high school teacher, she has seen firsthand the lasting impact of strong, faith-centered learning on a child’s life.
Her journey in service began with the Peace Corps, where she worked alongside communities in West Africa to support education and sustainable development—an experience that continues to shape her purpose and perspective.
Sara holds a PhD in Leadership and brings a diverse background in education, business, and organizational leadership. She is driven by a calling to invest in the next generation, supporting students as they grow academically, spiritually, and in purpose.
As Co-Founder of the Southeastern Kentucky Faith-Based Scholarship Fund, Sara is committed to expanding access to Christ-centered education and strengthening families across the region.
Cristy Atienza, MD
Co-Founder & Board Member
Maria Cristina Atienza, MD is a board-certified internist and geriatric specialist who has served southeastern Kentucky for over two decades, answering a calling to care for the most vulnerable with compassion, dignity, and faith. Since 2000, she has cared for seniors across Corbin and Whitley County through her physician-led practice, nursing home work, and leadership as a medical director—witnessing firsthand the growing crisis of isolation and unmet needs among the elderly.
Guided by her Christian faith, Dr. Atienza has stepped beyond the walls of medicine to lead transformative community initiatives. She serves as a board member of the Whitley County Health Department and is an active member of the Baptist Health Clinically Integrated Network (BH CIN), advocating for stronger, more connected rural healthcare systems.
She is the founder of the Southeastern Kentucky Senior Social Wellness and Engagement Center and the co-founder of the Southeastern KY Faith-Based Scholarship Fund—initiatives rooted in a simple but powerful belief: that every life has value, every child deserves opportunity, and every senior deserves connection, purpose, and joy.
Melanie Callahan, PhD
Board Member
Dr. Melanie Callahan, PhD, earned a Doctorate in Christian Education and Ethics. She holds ACSI certification in principalship and administration for Christian schools. She is a veteran educator with over 15 years of classroom experience in grades K–12. Dr. Callahan was named KDE 2020 Elementary Teacher of the Year and KCTE/LA 2023 Middle School Teacher of the Year, and she is a Kappa Delta Pi Teacher of Honor
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She is an Honorable Kentucky Colonel and the author of The Kittie O’Blakely Stories, a series of faith-based mystery novels. Dr. Callahan has served on multiple boards and committees at the state and national levels, including appointments to Kentucky’s Educational Professional Standards Board and the Christian Educators Association National Advisory Board. Dr. Callahan currently works in the field of Women’s Health.
Board in Formation
Our board is currently being finalized as part of our organizational development process.
We are actively identifying individuals who are passionate about faith-based education and committed to supporting the mission of the Southeastern Kentucky Faith-Based Scholarship Fund.