Meredith Switzer, M.Ed.

Executive Director

meredith@allsoulscounseling.org
828.259.3369 ext. 108

Meredith has over 20 years’ experience in the nonprofit arena and has served in leadership capacities – either on staff, Board of Directors, or Advisory Council – for more than 15 regional nonprofits. She has dedicated her career to finding solutions to challenging community issues including food insecurity, access to mental health services, affordable quality childcare, public education, and housing and homelessness.

Meredith is a graduate of Leadership Asheville and Leadership North Carolina, and she has served on the WomanUP Committee for the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. She was recognized as the Chamber’s “Outstanding Woman in Nonprofit Leadership” in January 2021 and received a COVID Humanitarian Award in October 2021 for her executive leadership at Homeward Bound of WNC during the pandemic.

She holds a B.A. in Broadcast Communications from UNC Chapel Hill and a M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When not engaged in nonprofit work, she enjoys discovering a new hiking or running spot in the beautiful WNC mountains, spending time with friends, cheering on her children in their sporting endeavors (go Black Hawks!), and practically any activity that includes her husband and three sons.

Nicole Almeida

Director of Finance and Operations

nicole@allsoulscounseling.org
828.259.3369 ext. 104

Since joining the ASCC team in October 2019, Nicole has played a crucial role with her extensive experience in office management and leadership. Having also completed the Leadership Asheville program, Nicole demonstrates her commitment to continuous growth and professional development.

Nicole recently tied the knot with her husband Blair in the Summer of 2023, and together they have two kids. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and gardening. She is passionate about the work of ASCC and is dedicated to supporting its mission of providing mental health counseling for the uninsured and underinsured of our communities.

Pam Penland

Clinical Manager

pam@allsoulscounseling.org
828.259.3369 ext. 101

Many would consider Pam the heart and soul of our counseling center. She has been with All Souls Counseling Center since its inception, shaping our organization’s growth and impact. Her legacy is so deeply woven into our mission that we established an annual award in her honor. “The Pam Penland Mental Health Champion Award” recognizes an individual’s tireless advocacy and commitment to improving mental health in our community.

Pam’s prior background is in psychiatric nursing where she worked in psychiatric inpatient settings and community mental health. She has officially worked for All Souls Counseling Center for twenty-plus years and remains dedicated to its mission. Pam is also a proud Grandma of two wonderful grandchildren and enjoys spending time with them as much as she can!

Carolina Robles, LCSW

Part-time Therapist

Carolina@allsoulscounseling.org
828.259.3369

Carolina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who provides therapy in both English and Spanish. She specializes in working with individuals experiencing domestic violence, narcissistic abuse, racial trauma, migration-related trauma, grief, depression, and anxiety. Carolina brings over eight years of clinical experience and is particularly passionate about supporting BIPOC communities. She integrates mindfulness, DBT, CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and attachment theory into her work. Outside of her clinical work, Carolina enjoys hiking, playing soccer, and reading.

Ela Twigg

Donor Relations Coordinator

Ela@allsoulscounseling.org
828.259.3369

Originally from West Virginia and Maryland, Ela has lived in Asheville since 2013 after spending time in places as varied as Maine, New Mexico, and Oregon. She brings a rich background in social services, healing arts, and fundraising—along with a BA in anthropology, graduate-level business studies, and extensive experience managing small businesses.

Ela was drawn to ASCC because of our mission to provide compassionate, accessible care to all, and she’s most excited to grow her skills in nonprofit development while supporting the expansion of our services. Outside of work, she’s a birdwatcher, gardener, language learner, and lover of local trails and eateries. She also serves on the board of Just Economics and runs a part-time healing arts practice.