Staff
Meet our team, a passionate group of leaders dedicated to inspiring and igniting positive change in our region.
Get to know the people behind the mission!
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us! We’re here to connect!
Christie Finley
L-35
Chief Executive Officer
Christie Finley is a veteran educator with more than 30 years of experience in public education. Serving students, families, and staff members was an important part of her educational career. Christie’s career in education has been marked by versatility and adaptability. She has served in various capacities, including superintendent, deputy superintendent, director of secondary programs, principal, teacher, and counselor. Her academic journey includes an undergraduate degree from Auburn University, a master’s degree in school counseling from Alabama A&M University, and an educational leadership degree from the University of South Alabama.
Christie received the 2020 Legislative Engagement Award for her collaborative efforts and partnerships with state legislators. In 2021, she was named the Alabama SSA District 9 Superintendent of the Year and was recognized as a “Women Honoring Women” honoree by the Women’s Economic Development Foundation. She served on the board of directors for the Alabama State Superintendents Association and Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools. She is a member of the Huntsville Committee of 100, the Huntsville Rotary Club, the Junior League of Huntsville, and the Huntsville/Madison County Auburn Club Board.
Christie is an L-35 graduate (best class ever). She is married to Kirk, and they have two sons. She enjoys exercising, gardening, and Auburn athletics. She is excited about supporting the mission and vision of Leadership Greater Huntsville.
Dr. Ed Nichols
L-35
Chief Operations Officer
Ed Nichols has dedicated more than 35 years to public education, serving as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. He earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Music Education from the University of Tennessee before completing an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Administration at the University of Alabama.
Since 2016, Ed has helped educational, civic, and business organizations strengthen leadership and teamwork through the Emergenetics® Profile. He serves on the faculty of the Advanced Economic Development Conference and is a highly sought-after speaker for conferences and leadership events.
A committed community leader, Ed generously invests his time in professional, civic, and nonprofit organizations. His leadership service includes serving as President of the MadCity Rotary Club and as a board member of Main Street Madison, the Madison Chamber of Commerce, The Schools Foundation, and the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.
Ed is an L-35 graduate (Best Class Ever). He is married to Miranda Howard Nichols, and together they have one daughter, Meredith, a graduate of Samford University.
Ed's personal mission is to "Exemplify the Fruits of the Spirit, Love My Family, and Cultivate Leaders." He lives by the motto, "Every day above dirt is a great day."
Diana King
F-36
Flagship Program Director
Diana King’s Leadership Greater Huntsville journey began in 2014, supporting the NASA portion of both Focus and Flagship program days. She is a graduate of Focus Class 36 and Flagship Class 37, completing the Flagship program while serving as the organization’s Flagship Program Director.
Diana retired from NASA in 2022 after a distinguished 32-year career. She began at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, serving in executive support, protocol, and event leadership roles, coordinating high-level visits, congressional engagements, and Center-wide events. In 2013, she transferred to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, where she represented NASA on Team Redstone, strengthened partnerships across government, military, industry, and the community, and led planning for visits by senior government officials, industry executives, international dignitaries, and Leadership Alabama participants.
Diana lives in Huntsville with her husband, Dave. They enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren, traveling, golfing, and investing in their community through leadership and service.
Sam Cooper
C-17, F-45
Management Academy Program Director
Samantha is a graduate of Auburn University and has built her career around helping individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals. After graduating in 2002, she spent many years in the financial services industry, specializing in bank branch management, loan origination, and commercial lending.
Driven by a passion for community leadership and service, Samantha transitioned from banking to a full-time role with Leadership Greater Huntsville, where she serves as the Program Director for Management Academy and Pulse. As a graduate of Connect Class 17 and Focus Class 45, she is dedicated to developing leaders who make a lasting impact throughout the Huntsville region through innovative leadership programming and community engagement.
Samantha and her family have proudly called Madison home for the past 14 years. Her husband, Tim, has an exciting career supporting Missile Defense on Redstone Arsenal. Together they have four sons: Caleb, a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army; Brody, who is studying Finance at Auburn University; Lane, who is pursuing his Associate's degree while preparing for a career in the skilled trades; and Jax, who will be a senior at Bob Jones High School.
When she's not working, Samantha enjoys serving her community, reading psychological thrillers, spending time with family and friends, and two cavapoos, Bandit and Pippa.
Katelyn Sides Baker
C-19
Alumni, Focus & Spark Program Director
Katelyn moved to Huntsville in 2014 after graduating Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations. Her first role was with Downtown Huntsville, Inc. This was when Katelyn fell in love with the Rocket City. She has also worked with local government contractor Radiance Technologies, Inc. and global tech leader Google Fiber. Most recently, Katelyn was the Workforce Recruitment Director at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.
Katelyn has over seven years of experience in the events, PR, marketing and communications industries. Katelyn loves helping "move the needle" in our community. She is heavily involved in the Women's Economic Development Council, and she is also a part of Hudson Alpha's Connections Group.
Her introduction to Leadership Greater Huntsville was back in 2016. She completed the Connect program, C-19 (Best Class Ever!). She has since then volunteered for almost every Connect class following her graduation.
In her spare time, you can find Katelyn hiking at a local trail with her two dogs that she adopted from A New Leash on Life, or you can find her planning her next trip with her favorite travel partner, her husband!
Kayla Clark Haynes
F-42
Connect, Challenge & Marketing Program Director
Kayla Clark Haynes is the Program Director for Connect, Challenge, and Marketing at Leadership Greater Huntsville, where she combines her passion for leadership development, community engagement, and strategic communications to help cultivate the next generation of civic leaders. A graduate of Indiana University, Kayla made her way south through Nashville before ultimately finding her home in Huntsville.
Prior to joining Leadership Greater Huntsville, Kayla built her career in marketing, events, and community engagement, leading charitable initiatives that raised thousands of dollars for local and national nonprofits while developing strong relationships throughout Huntsville's small business community.
Kayla is a graduate of Focus Class 42 and is passionate about connecting emerging leaders with opportunities to serve and strengthen the region. She believes meaningful leadership begins with community involvement and enjoys creating programs and experiences that inspire others to become engaged.
Outside of work, Kayla enjoys hiking North Alabama's trails with her family, staying active through fitness, and coaching youth sports with Huntsville Wolfpack, where she helps young athletes develop confidence, character, and a lifelong love of teamwork.