BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Meet the team guiding Grace's Toy Closet to make the biggest impact possible
Caroline Hopper
Founder & President
Caroline Hopper is the Founder and President of Grace’s Toy Closet, a nonprofit organization created in honor of her daughter, Grace. What began as a deeply personal mission has grown into a meaningful source of comfort for children undergoing cancer treatment and their families. Through the organization, Caroline is dedicated to ensuring that every child facing a difficult diagnosis experiences moments of joy, play, and normalcy.
Caroline lives in Central City with her husband, Aaron, and their two children, Charlotte and Jackson. The family is actively involved in their local community and attends First Baptist Church in Greenwood. Caroline is passionate about serving others and has built Grace’s Toy Closet as a way to honor Grace’s life while bringing hope and encouragement to families during some of their most challenging moments.
Aaron Hopper
Vice President
Aaron Hopper serves as Vice President of Grace’s Toy Closet, where he supports the organization’s growth, logistics, and day-to-day operations. He plays an active role in helping expand the reach of the organization and ensuring toys and resources get into the hands of the children and families who need them most.
As Grace’s father, Aaron is deeply committed to the mission and is proud to work alongside his wife, Caroline, to continue building something meaningful in her honor.
Ashleigh Buckley
Secretary
Ashleigh Buckley is a dedicated community advocate and attorney committed to serving families and children across the River Valley. A River Valley native, she is a mom to two sons and is married to her husband, William, with whom she practices law at The Buckley Firm in Fort Smith. Ashleigh is an active member of Immaculate Conception Church and brings valuable nonprofit experience, having assisted organizations in launching and developing their charitable missions and operations, with a special focus on volunteer efforts benefiting children. As a board member of Grace’s Toy Closet, she is passionate about bringing comfort and joy to children facing difficult circumstances and is proud to support the organization’s mission of providing toys and essential items to young patients and their families while honoring Grace's life and legacy.
Kayla Curry
Financial Director
Kayla Curry was born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She earned her Master’s degree in Accountancy from the University of Arkansas and is a Certified Public Accountant. Kayla has been with First Security Bank since 2021, where she brings strong financial expertise and a detail-oriented approach to her work.
Kayla has been married to her husband, Colby, for seven years, and together they have a five-year-old daughter. She is passionate about serving her community and is honored to serve on the board of Grace’s Toy Closet, where she is committed to supporting its mission and making a difference in the lives of children and families.
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Eliza Borné
Eliza Borné is the Chief Development Officer of the Central Arkansas Library System, which is the largest public library in Arkansas, serving about 11% of the state's population. Prior to joining the staff of CALS in March 2021, Eliza served on the staff of the Oxford American magazine. She was named the magazine’s third editor-in-chief in October 2015. During her tenure, the OA was three times a finalist for a National Magazine Award, winning in 2016. In 2019, the OA won an Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award. Eliza is a former board member for the C.D. Wright Women Writers Conference at the University of Central Arkansas and a former commissioner on the City of Little Rock’s Arts & Culture Commission. She serves on the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
Cristyn Branstetter
Dr. Cristyn Branstetter is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Arkansas Children’s Northwest. She was born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas and feels lucky to be practicing at ACNW where she can be close to home and family but also fulfilling her career dream of caring for children with cancer and blood disorders. She is passionate about her work and feels privileged to support families during difficult times.
Cristyn is incredibly honored and proud to be involved with Grace’s Toy Closet. As Grace’s oncologist, Dr. Branstetter developed a very close bond with Grace and her family and remains a dear friend of founder Caroline. Serving on the board allows her to carry on Grace’s legacy while helping to bring smiles to the faces of other children who she helps care for during their often arduous cancer journeys.
Cristyn and her husband Carter live in Fayetteville with their two children, Aidan and Addison, and their 3 cats.
Roni Bryant
Roni Bryant lives in Fort Smith with her husband, Trae, and their two children who keep us busy and engaged in the community! She is an attorney and owner at Bryant Law Partners in Fort Smith where she practices primarily domestic relations and estate planning.
She has been friends with Grace’s mom, Caroline, since law school. Over the years, Caroline and Roni have been able to enjoy many play dates, birthday parties and other special memories together with their kids, including sweet Grace.
During Grace’s treatment and her brave battle with cancer, Roni was inspired by how many people in the community came together to support the Hoppers through their prayers, gifts and time. Regardless of whether they personally knew Grace, people were moved by her story and especially her bright smile and the joy she radiated through it all. She saw the toll that cancer took on Grace’s parents and how selflessly they worked to do everything they could to ease her burdens, which easily became a full time job for them. Watching all of that, Roni was able to see how much these children and families need support and how small acts of kindness can make a big difference during some of the hardest times in their lives.
Roni honored to be a part of Grace’s Toy Closet and their mission to pay it forward and spread happiness and support to other children and families who are undergoing cancer treatment. She is certain that Grace would be so proud of this organization that her parents have created in her honor and can only imagine the joy she would have spreading happiness to children through toys!
Alexandra Craig
Alexandra Craig is a dedicated pediatric oncology nurse with a deep passion for caring for children and supporting families through some of life’s most challenging moments. Her work is rooted in compassion, resilience, and a genuine commitment to making a difference in the lives of her patients.
Outside of her professional role, Alexandra is a proud wife to Justin and a devoted mother to Sullivan and Remy. Her children are actively involved in competitive sports, and she enjoys cheering them on and being part of their busy, energetic lives.
In her free time, Alexandra finds joy in gardening and giving back to her community. She fosters dogs through Big Paws of the Ozarks, helping provide care and temporary homes for animals in need.
Through both her career and personal life, Alexandra embodies kindness, service, and a strong commitment to helping others—being a member of Graces Toy Closet is extremely close to her heart.
Rachel Stills
Rachel Stills was born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas, where she met Grace’s mom, Caroline, before going on to receive her law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law. Rachel now lives in Lowell and practices primarily criminal defense law throughout Northwest Arkansas.
Rachel’s connection to Grace’s Toy Closet is deeply personal—her son, Parker, and Grace were best friends. She is honored to serve on the board and is devoted to supporting the organization’s mission while helping honor Grace’s memory in a meaningful way for other families.