Leadership & Governance
Board of Directors
Board Chair & President
Shay McAlister
Shay McAlister is an Emmy-award winning investigative journalist and anchor at WHAS11 TV in Louisville, KY. Her steadfast and relentless approach to journalism led to a high-profile investigation featured in the NETFLIX documentary series "Tiger King" and a chart-topping true crime podcast called 'Bardstown'. But she is most proud of her work with the ACE Project. In 2015, she met grieving mother Rose Smith at her son's vigil. In 2017, Rose told Shay about her dream to build a community center on the property where her son was killed. With help from WHAS11's parent company TEGNA, Shay and Rose officially opened the neighborhood center called 'The ACE Place' in May of 2019. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri and now lives in Louisville with her rescues — Juniper the dog and Monday the cat.
Vice Board Chair & President
Sara Colyer
Sara Colyer serves as Vice Board Chair and President of The ACE Project, bringing her expertise and passion for community service to help guide the organization's strategic direction and growth.
Board Member
Kristal Smith
Kristal is a native of Louisville and proud graduate of JCPS schools. She attended the University of Louisville receiving a BA in Political Science and BFA in Interior Architecture. She met Rose through Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America where they are both volunteer leaders for the survivor network. She is a wife and mother, lead interior designer for a top locally-owned construction company, former PTA president, and a strong advocate for survivors of domestic and gun violence. She enjoys camping with her husband and daughter, playing piano, and gardening when she is not fighting for common sense gun laws.
Treasurer
Andrew Patterson
Andrew grew up in Hartford, CT with a big extended family. He played football and basketball his whole life and always wanted to be an entrepreneur. He attended Niagara University on a basketball scholarship and then transferred to Bellarmine to play basketball with his best friend. He graduated from Bellarmine in 2010 with a degree in Business Administration.
Secretary
Marita Crane
Marita Crane serves as Secretary of The ACE Project Board of Directors. She is a dedicated advocate for survivors of domestic and gun violence and brings her commitment to community service and organizational leadership to the board.
Committed to Transparency
The ACE Project is committed to financial transparency and accountability. View our 990 on GuideStar.
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