Administrative and Operational Team
Allyson Knappenberger
Director of Operations/Events
Allyson Knappenberger was born and raised in New England, pursued her bachelor’s degree at Syracuse University and obtained her master’s in organizational leadership in 1999 from the University of Phoenix. After College, Allyson escaped the winters of New England and moved to Florida where she met her husband Jeff, shortly thereafter. In 2005, Allyson, Jeff and their three children (now 24, 21 & 19), relocated to Phoenix. With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality Industry, Allyson has always prided herself on being a Servant Leader. She was always the one to raise a hand when volunteers were being sought. Allyson has planned Galas for major companies to simple community garden events (Second Saturday at the Garden). Having served on the Board of Directors for Homeless Youth Connection for almost six years, Allyson is familiar with the plight of the non-profit and aims to help make them successful and sustainable. With a niece on the Autism Spectrum, Allyson is thrilled to join The Starry Foundation to help grow the mission and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Kevin Holmes
Marketing & Creative Director
Kevin Holmes is the Marketing & Creative Director at Starry Foundation, where he leads the organization’s digital initiatives with a blend of creativity and strategic insight. With over a decade of experience and having worked with more than 30 non-profits, Kevin has honed his skills in graphic design, website development, and event campaign management.
Throughout his career, Kevin has demonstrated a deep commitment to leveraging digital tools to amplify the impact of non-profit organizations. At Starry Foundation, he focuses on enhancing online presence, creating engaging visual content, and developing effective marketing strategies that drive engagement and support. Kevin is dedicated to empowering non-profits through innovative digital solutions.
Sarah Barsky
Event Coordinator
Sarah Barsky is an Event Coordinator from the Bay Area with a strong commitment to creating inclusive and meaningful experiences. Sarah graduated with honors from Gonzaga University in May 2024 with a B.A. in Sociology and minors in Leadership Studies, Criminology, and French. Her passion for event planning and advocating for individuals with disabilities has been shaped by her academic experiences and hands-on involvement in community engagement work.
At Gonzaga, Sarah served as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Student Body Association, where she organized events and partnerships that connected the campus with the broader community. She also helped implement Universal Design training for faculty, improving accessibility for students with disabilities. As a Research Fellow, Sarah conducted a study on gender and invisible disabilities and presented her findings at a university event.
Sarah brings a thoughtful and collaborative approach to her work, drawing on her experiences in leadership, advocacy, and event coordination to support the mission of the Starry Foundation and Starry Starry Night LLC.
In her free time, Sarah enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes, running, and spending quality time with her loved ones.