Our Team
Meet A Spacious Place’s staff and Board of Directors who care deeply about fostering creativity for everyone.
Our Staff
Kaye P. McKee
Executive Director
Personal Pronouns: she/her/hers
Kaye’s been married to David for over 40 years. They are parents to two incredible daughters, Arielle and Bethany, both who serve on the A Spacious Place Board of Directors. Maddie, their adopted German Shepherd, recently joined the McKee clan.
Kaye ministers through teaching, writing, and through A Spacious Place: the nonprofit birthed by her doctoral project. A confirmed God geek, Kaye earned her doctorate in Christian Nurture, as well as a Masters degree in Religious Education with a Childhood Specialization, and a Masters in Pastoral Ministry. A passionate supporter of education for all, Kaye seeks to provide a rich, welcoming learning environment for the persons A Spacious Place serves.
Kaye’s Life Motto:
The Queen of Hearts is always your best bet.
Desperado, The Eagles
Our Board of Directors
David McKee
Board Chair
Personal Pronouns: he/him/his
Like his wife, Kaye, David has been married for much more than half of his life. David has a Bachelors in Psychology from Clemson University and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary. He was ordained and worked in a few churches before beginning work in the insurance and financial services industries. For over thirty years, David has done compliance as well as tax, pension and securities law research. He also manages an AWS server, does software development and support, and serves as webmaster for A Spacious Place.
David’s Life Mottos:
Give me chocolate and no one gets hurt!
Instant Human—Just add coffee!
Janettee Henderson
Board Treasurer
Personal Pronouns: she/her/hers
Janettee is a native Texan and proud to call Austin home. She grew up in a big family and from an early age became interested in relationship dynamics. This led her to study psychology at the University of Texas-Go Longhorns! She then moved to pursue graduate study under the deep blue spacious skies of West Texas. She received a masters degree in Human Development and Family Studies followed by a doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy, both from Texas Tech University.
After finishing her graduate work, Janettee moved back to Austin and began private practice in 1997. While she believes that helping others heal their hurts from the inside out is her calling, she also enjoys teaching. Though not currently teaching, she has taught at Texas Tech University and St. Edward’s University and looks forward to working with students again in the future.
Janettee’s interests include reading, writing and she’s always on the lookout for a new gazpacho recipe. A firm believer in dirt therapy, she can often be found working outside to add beauty to the world one flower at a time.
Janettee’s Life Motto:
Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.
Marie Curie
Arielle McKee
Board Secretary
Personal Pronouns: she/her/hers
Arielle McKee is a septalingual special agent with a flair for Ballroom dance. She is skilled in six different forms of martial arts, and is deadly with a crossbow—there is a warrant for her arrest in seven countries, as well as the European Union. In her spare time, Arielle thoroughly trounces chess Grand Masters, and perfects her cello playing. Finally, she was, indeed, responsible for the destruction of both the Death Star and the “one ring,” and is one of the top people studying the Ark of the Covenant. Of course, then she wakes up, goes to work, writes like a maniac, and supports A Spacious Place.
Arielle, has a PhD in medieval literature, and is a full time nerd, no apologies. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Psi Chi.
Arielle’s Life Motto:
I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, the sinners are much more fun.
Billy Joel
Leigh Dunson
Board Member
Personal Pronouns: she/her/hers
Leigh is a native Texan and has lived in the Austin area her whole life, from Wimberley to Georgetown to Austin. She has a Psychology degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown. She has a furry son, Georgie (a pug) and has fostered 20 dogs and cats. She also owns a pet sitting business so it feels like she has hundreds of pets! Previously, she directed a section of Mary Lee Foundation for 14 years. That is how she got to know the wonderful people of A Spacious Place when they volunteered with the residents at Mary Lee. She also loves traveling, music, gardening, biking and hiking. She is excited about being able to continue to connect with people through creativity with A Spacious Place.
Leigh’s Life Motto:
Be as radiant as the sun, as healing as the rain, as generous as a tree.
—Michael Franti
Bethany McKee
Board Member
Personal Pronouns: she/her/hers
As with most McKees, Bethany is a nerd who enjoys learning. She has a degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Southern California. Finishing her last year at USC with a practicum project for the United Nations that won the Robert P. Biller Award for Best Policy Analysis and the opportunity to show off her knowledge of Chagall’s stained glass, Bethany left the palm trees and mosquito-less Los Angeles to return to Austin. Bethany spent over three years getting paid by The University of Texas at Austin to learn about things and conduct research, and is committed to continue supporting children, families, and other underserved populations in Texas through her work with A Spacious Place.
Bethany’s Life Motto:
Live however you want, it’s your life anyway
BTS
Stop trying, it’s okay to lose
