Jill Rigby Garner
Founder/Executive Director
Jill is an accomplished speaker, author, family advocate, and founder of Manners of the Heart. Jill received a BFA from Mississippi University for Women in 1974 and worked in the design field until the birth of twin sons in 1982. Her spirit and
contagious passion led her to found Manners of the Heart fourteen years later in 2002. Jill is the author of Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World, winner of a Gold Mom's Choice Award, released by Simon & Schuster in 2006, and Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World, released in 2008. Jill's responsibilities as Manners of the Heart Executive Director include writing of parenting books and curricula materials, conducting teacher trainings and parenting seminars, overseeing program development, meeting with donors and investors, presenting at board meetings, and increasing the capacity of the organization through keynote presentations at regional and national educational conferences. Jill's favorite roles are as mother, grandmother, and wife to husband, Nick.
 

Carter Stone
Development Director
Carter is the Director of Development for Manners of the Heart and joined our staff in October, 2009. Carter received her B.S. in Marketing from Louisiana State University in 1987. Prior to Manners of the Heart, Carter has worked for over 20 years in the field of marketing and business development for corporate, small business and nonprofit organizations. Carter's work experience has included strategizing and implementing various marketing, public relations, communications and business development initiatives. Carter is also an active volunteer, having served with organizations that include Junior League of Baton Rouge, Boy Scouts of America, Elan Cotillion, Kappa Delta Alumni Association, and Gateway Therapeutic Horsemanship, among others.  Carter is an active member at First Presbyterian Church. She and her husband of twenty years, Joey, are happily married with two children: Eleanor and Patrick

Polly Allen
Communications Director
Polly is the Marketing & Communications Director and joined our staff in July, 2011.  She is responsible for managing activities and opportunities in new media, including our website, social media presence, founder's blog, etc., producing marketing collateral, managing public relations, and aspects of event planning and fundraising.  Polly received her B.A. in Journalism from the University of Mississippi in 2008, and her J.D. from Samford University's Cumberland School of Law in 2011.  She is a member of First United Methodist Church and enjoys volunteer and mission work, travel, painting, and baking in her spare time.

Lori Smith
Elementary Program Director
Lori is the Elementary Program Director and joined our staff in June, 2012. She received her Master of Education from L.S.U in 2002, and received her Educational Technology Facilitator certificate from LSU in 2005. Prior to Manners of the Heart, Lori served as Director of Fund Development and then Program Director of the Academic Distinction Fund. As Elementary Program Director, Lori is responsible for developing and overseeing implemention our Elementary Programs.