PRESIDENT

Emily Askew is a proud Atlanta native, AASU graduate, and former Advertising Executive who relocated to Lookout Mountain in 2019. Emily is passionate about creating a more sustainable lifestyle through gardening, recycling, and eco-friendly fashion. She’s an active volunteer at Fairyland School and enjoys cooking, traveling, and entertaining in her free time. 

VICE PRESIDENT

SPECIAL PROJECTS CHAIR

Virginia grew up in Birmingham, AL. Though she went to Kenyon College, she met her husband, Sam, at a Sewanee graduation and promptly moved to Chattanooga. Virginia loves adventuring with Sam and their toddlers - traveling around the country, to just romping around the beautiful areas Chattanooga has to offer. Virginia also enjoys running, gardening, and working in landscape design.

TREASURER

As Laurelwood's Treasurer, I help keep our gardening dreams rooted in reality. From tracking dues to budgeting for blooms, I make sure our finances stay as tidy as our flower beds. Whether it’s planning for Holiday Mailbox Decoration sales or supporting community beautification, I’m here to ensure every dollar helps our beloved mountain grow—one petal at a time!

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR

Hi! I’m excited to serve on the garden club board this year and get to know you all better.

My husband and I live on the Georgia side and have three little ones, two boys ages 8 & 7 and our daughter who’s 2. I am a fourth generation Lookout Mountain native, born and raised on the same property we just built our forever home on a few years ago. I went to St Andrew’s Sewanee high school then came back to Chattanooga and studied criminal justice. I was a volunteer firefighter for 5 years and graduated from the Georgia police academy in 2008.

After just a couple of years I decided police work wasn’t my calling and I wanted to work closer to the children in our city. I graduated from yoga teacher training in 2013 and went straight into teaching children’s yoga. I helped create and became the owner of Balance Studios, Chattanooga’s only children’s yoga and art vocation. I’m passionate about bringing mindfulness and strength to children. When I’m not teaching children yoga and art, you can find me with my three little tots, in the garden or trying to finish a house project.

PROJECTS CHAIR

Martha grew up in the woods of Lookout Mountain, GA. Her ancestors are all farmers from the Chattanooga area, and she followed the family path. After obtaining a degree in Environmental Economics and Natural Resource Management from the College of Agriculture at the University of Georgia, she moved back to Lookout Mountain. Martha worked for an investment advisory, then a wealth management firm, and is now taking time to stay home with her young children. She joined the Laurelwood Garden Club in 2023, and is so excited to help with projects this year!

Martha currently lives in the cabin she grew up in with her husband, a fellow Lookout Mountain native, Newton Law, and their two sons, Emmett and Wilson. Her hobbies include gardening, cooking, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, and swimming. You may see her driving around the mountain with her yappy, mixed- breed dog, Andy.

SOCIAL CHAIR

Hi I’m Katie! I grew up on Lookout Mountain and proudly returned in 2022 after 6 years in NYC and 2 short years in Dallas. My husband and I knew we wanted to raise our 2 kids in a community surrounded by love and support—not to mention beauty! I’m Mom to Harper (3) and Lucy (1), and can’t forget our crazy Golden Retriever, Lady. I am thrilled to serve the mountain through Laurelwood and our endeavors to protect the natural beauty and charm of Lookout Mountain for generations to come. I’m especially excited to serve as Social Chair, bringing our members together and creating opportunities to celebrate the friendships and community that make Laurelwood so special!

SPECIAL PROJECTS CO-CHAIR

Rachael was born in Tennessee and shaped by generations of land stewards and gardeners. She studied environmental economics and organic farming at the University of Georgia, then spent a year in Tanzania working with a women's cooperative in an agrarian village. From there, she moved to Denver with her now-husband, and spent a decade in hospitality, including opening a coffee and cocktail bar.

The family of 3 moved back to Rachael’s native home of Lookout Mountain in 2024, where they welcomed their second child. Rachael now works in tech as an operations program manager by day and enjoys spending her time cooking, gardening, and adventuring with her husband and two toddlers.  She is thrilled to join friends, new and old, as Special Projects Co-Chair for the Laurelwood Garden Club.

COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR

Laura comes from deep garden roots-her mother was a past president of the club, so she is thrilled to continue to honor the the legacy of Laurelwood.

Graduating with a MFA from the University of Georgia, she works as an artist, turning raw materials into jewelry.

Outside the studio, she’s busy raising three wonderful children. She joined the club in 2023 and is excited to help Laurelwood grow and support our beloved mountain.

PAST PRESIDENT

Anna Lee has long felt a deep connection to both gardening and Lookout Mountain. Raised in nearby Summerville, GA, she fondly remembers spending time in the garden with her grandfather. These experiences sparked a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. She went on to study at The University of the South, where she formed lasting friendships with many who called Lookout Mountain home. Anna Lee met her husband, Chris, and life took them to Atlanta and then Chicago. They moved to Fairyland in 2021, and are grateful to be back in the South and excited to be part of such a welcoming community. 

When Anna Lee is not having dance parties with her daughter Vivian or chasing after her son Davis, Anna Lee enjoys gardening, exploring local estate sales, and spending quality time with family and friends.