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.

VICE PRESIDENT

Emily Dean Askew is a proud Atlanta native, AASU graduate, and former Advertising Executive who moved to Lookout Mountain with her husband, Bob, in 2019. Together, they raise their son and two daughters and are celebrating 10 years of marriage this year.

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. 

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.

CO-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. She is very excited to get her hands dirty serving as Projects Chair!

SOCIAL CHAIR

Hi! I’m Erin Minwell — a proud Lookout Mountain native, mom of three (ages 6, 4, and 2), wife to a wonderfully supportive husband, and dog mom to two sweet pups. I’ve been a realtor for over 11 years and truly love helping people find “home,” both professionally and personally. After spending some time away, moving back to Lookout has reminded me how much a kind smile or simple gesture can mean — especially when you’re new. I’m so grateful for the warmth this community showed me, and I’m excited to return the favor as your Garden Club Social Chair. I love meeting new people and making connections, and I look forward to sharing fun, friendship, and a little flower talk with all of you!

COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR

Laura comes from deep garden roots-her mother was a past president of the club, so it’s only natural she’s helping the club flourish.

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 with her husband and enjoying every season life plants in her path.

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!

PAST PRESIDENT

Born in Greensboro, NC and a Chattanooga native by way of New Orleans, Kelsi and her husband Mitchell have lived together on Lookout Mountain for 6 years. Following their engagement in Ireland at the 2015 O'Leary clan reunion, Kelsi and Mitchell departed for Madison, WI in search of cheese curds, ice fishing and Spotted Cow. Three very cold winters later, they moved back home to be closer to family and to raise their two boys - Thomas (6) and Lockley (3).

Kelsi is a Group Account Director at Johnson Group Advertising Agency, a TN Master Gardener and vocal hoarder of houseplants.