Holly Christensen, Palmer, AK

Executive Director

📧 info@themagicyarnproject.com

Raised in both Alaska and Mexico, Holly has appreciated a diversity of experience and culture throughout her life. She has learned that one constant in life no matter where you go are the amazing accomplishments and acts of love that people are capable of. Holly’s desire to help and serve others led her to pursue her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. During her college education, she completed a maternity hospital internship in central Argentina, utilizing her Spanish-speaking skills in the medical setting and helping to create educational tools for postpartum mothers.  

As an RN, Holly has worked in oncology, ICU, Alzheimer’s, and orthopedics. Holly now spends her time devoted to raising her three children and running The Magic Yarn Project, which she co-founded out of her one-car garage.  She was named BYU’s College of Nursing 2018 “Alumna of the Year” for her work with The Magic Yarn Project.

Shelly Allen, Kings Mills, OH

Chief Operating Officer – East

📧 northeast@themagicyarnproject.com

Shelly is our longest-running regional leader at the Magic Yarn project. She and her mother have sacrificed much of their time and living space for storing and crafting Magic Yarn wigs and supplies! Shelly excels at creating and repairing wigs that are of the highest quality. An avid crocheter, her experience has personally trained more than half of Magic Yarn’s current staff. 

Shelly’s latest role with Magic Yarn includes managing one of our two shipping hubs, where volunteers send in their creations to be checked, packaged, and distributed to brave cancer fighters. She also acts as our Chapter Leader manager, overseeing our local leaders all over the country.

Shelly loves to make memories and scrapbook them with her friends. Many of her favorite memories are with her family at Disney! Shelly works full-time in the financial field. She lives with her husband and son in Kings Mills, OH. 

Katie Powell, Arroyo Grande, CA

Chief Operating Officer – West

📧 westcoast@themagicyarnproject.com

Katie first found Magic Yarn in May 2018 when her mother-in-law shared one of our viral videos. Since she loves all things crafty, Katie started to crochet beanies and wigs at home to send in. From her first wig (a Moana) completed that June, she was hooked! She quickly found a live workshop and drove 4 hours just to attend. Katie realized she could combine her love of teaching with her love of crochet and crafts to serve with Magic Yarn. 

As our leadership needs changed on the west coast, Katie quickly trained and worked as a Chapter Leader, then our west coast Region Leader, and now as the manager of one of our two shipping hubs. 

Katie and her family live in Arroyo Grande, CA.

Laurie Campbell, Rainbow Springs, FL

Program Developer

📧 laurie@themagicyarnproject.com

Laurie has been a part of the Magic Yarn family for many years. First serving as an area coordinator, managing workshops and donations across northern Florida, Laurie now administers many of Magic Yarn’s behind-the-scenes functions. As our program developer, Laurie skillfully oversees the annual editing and republishing of our Magic Yarn “bible,” the Guide to Magic, as well as keeping all of our digital patterns and tutorials up-to-date and accurate. Her eagle eye for yarn coordination keeps our wig guidelines aligned beautifully with each character’s signature look. Laurie is honored to work with Debbie Grimshaw, Kelli Jordan and Robin Merrill to achieve these goals.

When she’s not busy keeping the gears turning at Magic Yarn, Laurie works in the insurance industry. She lives with her family outside of Ocala, FL.

Jessica Suttles, Piedmont, AL

Social Media Specialist

📧 southeast@themagicyarnproject.com

Jessica has always loved crafting, so when she found Magic Yarn, she knew it was a perfect fit. Jessica grew into Magic Yarn leadership roles quickly, first working as a Chapter Leader in Georgia, and then soon taking over managing our entire southeast region when another leader stepped down. In her current position, Jessica is responsible for our social media posts and engagement. She also supports other leaders with various administrative tasks, anything from graphics to data and website management.

Jessica loves to spend her free time reading, crafting, and gardening. She works alongside her husband restoring classic cars. 

Lani VinZant, Cedar Hills, UT

Utah Event Coordinator

📧 RockyMountain@themagicyarnproject.com

Lani was The Magic Yarn Project’s first Chapter Leader, and she has brought her expertise on running workshops and teaching Magic Makers with her the whole way. She has been with The Magic Yarn Project from our very first large-scale workshop at Brigham Young University. She has since hosted countless workshops from very large corporate retreats down to intimate parties in living rooms. She’s also our international workshop ambassador, having brought Magic Yarn to a special volunteer conference in Ireland in 2019!

Lani loves serving others; it’s in her bones and part of her nature. Her patience and organization make her a clever and effective teacher of all of Magic Yarn’s skill sets, and we are so lucky she shares her workshop wisdom with us. When she’s not up to her eyeballs in yarn, she’s enjoying her supportive family, including her 7 kids and 5 grandkids. 

Gay Richards, Lehi, UT

Event Coordinator

📧 GayRichards@themagicyarnproject.com

Gay has been working with Magic Yarn for years now, with experiences spanning from teaching beautiful wig-making to running our west coast region. Gay supports our mission at many in-person events each year. Her friendly and wise demeanor are important assets for the Magic Yarn team.

Gay stays busy enjoying her family and the great outdoors, dividing her time with biking, traveling, and playing with her grandkids.

Cathryn Matheson, Denver, CO

Technology Specialist

📧 info@themagicyarnproject.com

Cathryn has been following along with the Magic Yarn journey since 2014, when her friend’s daughter was diagnosed with cancer and received the very first Magic Yarn wig. Cathryn trained as a Workshop Leader in 2018 and a Chapter Leader in 2019, before joining the headquarters team managing our digital record-keeping. Alongside Laurie and Jessica, she also keeps our website and emails up and running.

Cathryn’s favorite wig is Moana. When she’s not busy tinkering on the computer or chasing her four boys, she loves gardening, crafting, baking, and hiking.