Our Team
At Baby Steps, we live with purpose, integrity, emotional health, excellence, humility, and intentionality.
Michelle Schultz
FOUNDER, DIRECTOR
Michelle resides in Auburn with her husband, Matt, and four of their six children (Hanson, Joseph, Grissom, Jacob, Caroline, Justin). Matt and Michelle met while she was pursuing her degree in Apparel Merchandising at Auburn University. The couple married in 1989 and decided to make Auburn their permanent home. While growing their family, they extended their love through the gift of hospitality, opening their home to the community in many capacities. The idea of Baby Steps came years later and has been an extension of that same love ever since.
michelle.schultz@babysteps.org
Madeline Rafferty
CAMPUS LIAISON
After graduating from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Graphic Design, Madeline worked for a nonprofit focused on serving college students in central Illinois for three years. After learning about the vision of Baby Steps at Auburn University, she decided it was time to cheer for a new Orange and Blue - this time with Student-Moms and Tiny Tigers! Madeline has a passion for building warm and inviting spaces and communities where everyone feels encouraged to be their most authentic selves.
madeline.rafferty@babysteps.org
Caroline O’Neil
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT-MOM ADVOCACY
After graduating from Auburn University in 2005, Caroline began her career as a Medical Social Worker at Huntsville Hospital in the Mother Baby unit. She then returned home to Auburn and spent 10 years at East Alabama Medical Center. During this time, she earned her Master's degree in Social Work and has continued to work with people of all ages, spurred on by her passion for helping others. Caroline and her husband, Brian, are originally from Auburn. Brian founded a local nonprofit, and together, they are raising their 4 children. Most weekends, you can find them at the ball field cheering on their favorite baseball or softball teams.
caroline.oneil@babysteps.org
Grace Clemmer
PHOTOGRAPHER & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Grace joined our team in September of 2022 as a senior at Auburn University. She has since graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. In her spare time, Grace runs her own photography business, and she loves to utilize her passion and creative eye for photography and creating media content to share the mission of Baby Steps on Auburn’s campus. Grace is excited to be a part of the Baby Steps team and to get to know Student-Moms and their Tiny Tigers.
media@babysteps.org
Haley Sherman
STUDENT RESIDENT ASSISTANT
Haley moved to Auburn in 2018 to begin a master’s program in Human Development and Family Science. She graduated with her masters in 2020 and stayed for the PhD. She will complete her PhD in Human Development and Family Science in the Spring of 2024. Haley knew of Baby Steps and was involved at a volunteer level before she was presented with the opportunity to serve Baby Steps in a more official capacity. Haley’s studies, previous work history, and heart to support women in all phases and stages of life has made her a great addition to the Baby Steps team.
auburn.ra@babysteps.org
Kate Magathan
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Kate grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and shares her roots with a family of passionate Auburn Tiger fans. This ignited her own love for the university where she enrolled and obtained her degree in Exercise Science. Kate's true calling lies in advocating for women's empowerment. She is fueled by the inspiring stories and resilience of Student-Moms. Alongside her work at Baby Steps, she serves as a Logistics Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, proudly supporting our nation. Now, Kate eagerly merges her passion for the Auburn community with her commitment to empowering women, ushering in a brighter future for Student-Moms.
kate.magathan@babysteps.org
Board of Directors
Dr. Kerri Hensarling
Shelly Adams
Kaitlyn Willing
Cary Chandler
Michelle Schultz
Nicole Gillon
In Memory of Bernie Brannan
It is with deep sorrow that one of our founding board members, Bernie Brannan, passed away in June of 2019. He graduated from Auburn University and later went on to receive a Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama's Jones Law Institute. Bernie's passion for Baby Steps goes back to an experience he had as a student at Auburn University. Two of his close friends who were in a relationship became pregnant during their sophomore year. Their parents were unwilling to continue financially supporting their education, resulting in them having to drop out of school. Bernie used his legal expertise to help build Baby Steps in order for college students today to have opportunities his friends did not.
Upon Bernie’s passing, the generosity of his loved ones provided enough funding to begin what became The Tiny Tiger Legacy Fund, a fund that provides professional childcare for the children of Resident Student-Moms.
