our team

Anneliese Vanderheyden

Volunteer Engagement Strategist

Anneliese Vanderheyden is a transplant from Macon, Georgia, and currently resides in Reidsville, NC. Anneliese graduated from Mercer University and has spent her career in service to others in various capacities. Anneliese and her wife, Amanda, have 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren, and they live with their 3 dogs and a tortoise. Anneliese enjoys reading, hiking, and creating art, and is proud to be a part of the amazing Little Pink team.

Dawn Walker

Retreat Support Liaison

Dawn is a long-time Little Pink volunteer and Retreat Coordinator and recently joined us as a regular staff member. Dawn enjoys working with local retreat vendors and donors to make each retreat special for participant families. Dawn lives in Burlington, NC with her husband and enjoys spending time with her two sons and their families, including three grandsons.

Kathy Gates

Retreat Programs Director

Kathy lives in Elon, NC and is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina.  Kathy’s involvement with Little Pink began while teaching LPHOH Founder Jeanine’s son, Jake, where she created unique school fundraisers to support the retreats. Her experiences then expanded to volunteering for retreats, serving as a Retreat Director and currently on staff as our Retreat Relations Director.  Kathy and her husband Garry have 4 amazing daughters, Amanda, Carey, Anna, and Laura. They LOVE the beach and see it as a place of connection and respite, just like the mission of Little Pink for the families that attend a retreat. What better place to do the things that she loves the most – serve wonderful families in beautiful places with amazing people.

Kim Oakes

Programs Manager

Kim is a Burlington, NC native and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She spent years as an educator at many different levels; including middle school science. She and her husband, Scott, are the thankful parents of three amazing sons. She is grateful to be part of the mission and work of Little Pink.

Katherine "Kat" Palman

Executive Administrative Assistant

Kat moved to North Carolina in 2021, relocating from Maine where she earned a degree in Business Administration and Management and worked for several non-profit organizations. She enjoys creating systems and processes and loves a good back-up plan. Kat is especially excited to be involved with fundraising events for Little Pink and meeting more people in the community. Kat has two young adult children and and lives in Reidsville.

Jeanine Patten-Coble

Founder and President

Jeanine is a graduate of St. Louis University and was a high school history teacher and professional educational trainer for 15 years before being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.  Jeanine is thrilled to have a wonderful husband, Terry and son, Jake who carried her through her own cancer journey with their strength, support and love.  Her own battle with breast cancer inspired the creation of Little Pink Houses of Hope.   Jeanine is amazed at all of the wonderful people that she has met through her service and is thankful that God showed up in her life in such a big and powerful way to put her on this mission. She currently resides in Burlington, NC with her family.
1 2