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Meet the Staff
A Supportive Community
Annie Spindler: Founder Executive Director, Ex Officio Board Member
Annie's educational background is about as diverse as the elders she hopes to serve. After obtaining an Undergraduate Art degree from the University of Wisconsin, she moved to Seattle Washington where she found a passion for natural medicine. She graduated with an Acupuncture degree from Wu Hsing Tao School in 2013. Her growing family brought her back to Chicago where she owned and operated Serenity Acupuncture, a multidisciplinary wellness clinic. A love for the Blue Ridge Mountains eventually brought Annie to Asheville to finally put down her permanent roots with her husband of 11 years and their two daughters.
A graduate certificate in Aging, Health and Society from Appalachian State University has granted Annie the education and experience to own and operate an Assisted Living facility in the state of North Carolina and she will soon become a licensed Adult Care Administrator in this state.
A graduate certificate in Aging, Health and Society from Appalachian State University has granted Annie the education and experience to own and operate an Assisted Living facility in the state of North Carolina and she will soon become a licensed Adult Care Administrator in this state.
Renee Panter:
Wellness Director
Renee received a bachelor's of science in nursing from Western Carolina’s Accelerated Nursing Program. She currently works as a registered nurse in homecare and is in a case management position with Visiting Angels Caregiver service. Renee completed the Advanced Clinical Herbalist Program at the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine in 2016 and has worked with several clients since then as a clinical herbalist. She has studied with herbalists Juliet Blankespoor, Rosemary Gladstar, Aviva Romm and several others she admires. It has been her dream to combine the worlds of allopathic and herbal medicine to create a more holistic approach to health. She is dedicated to preventative medicine and believes a good path to this is through educating and applying the art and science of herbal medicine, healthy diet, movement, community, and the arts. She enjoys finding creative and unique ways to make these things work in each individual life. Renee also holds a second bachelor's of Science in Anthropology from Appalachian State University. This degree is a testament to her love of studying and understanding societies, cultures, how they come to be, and can be transformed. She has worked as a professional gardener for over two decades and still currently does this part-time. She completed 220 hour yoga alliance certified teacher program in 2008 and taught for several years after. She is a proud and loving mother of one outstanding 13 year old kid and is dedicated to creating a better world for her to age and grow in.
Maripa Abella: Culinary Director
Maripa Abella’s journey to the Elderflower kitchen has been shaped by a lifelong exploration of nourishment—both inner and outer. Born in the Philippines, she grew up in a culture where food was a natural expression of love, community, and care. That early understanding stayed with her even as her life took her through many different paths.
Before arriving at Elderflower, Maripa worked in technology and founded her own software consulting firm. She also owned two restaurants in Chicago and spent years exploring spiritual practices including yoga and meditation. A pivotal moment came when she completed Inner Engineering through the Isha Foundation, where the daily practice of Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya transformed her relationship with life, bringing greater balance, clarity, and purpose.
Today, as Head Chef at Elderflower Community, Maripa brings together her love of food and her spiritual practice. Inspired by Vedic food philosophy, she approaches cooking as a form of care and service. In this tradition, food is understood as “Annam Brahma” — the sacred nourishment that sustains life.
Maripa prepares meals using fresh, seasonal ingredients and simple, wholesome recipes that support both comfort and wellbeing. For her, the kitchen is a place of presence, where each meal is prepared with attentiveness and gratitude.
At Elderflower, she believes that food is more than nourishment—it is a quiet way of offering warmth, dignity, and connection to the elders who share in the community each day.
Before arriving at Elderflower, Maripa worked in technology and founded her own software consulting firm. She also owned two restaurants in Chicago and spent years exploring spiritual practices including yoga and meditation. A pivotal moment came when she completed Inner Engineering through the Isha Foundation, where the daily practice of Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya transformed her relationship with life, bringing greater balance, clarity, and purpose.
Today, as Head Chef at Elderflower Community, Maripa brings together her love of food and her spiritual practice. Inspired by Vedic food philosophy, she approaches cooking as a form of care and service. In this tradition, food is understood as “Annam Brahma” — the sacred nourishment that sustains life.
Maripa prepares meals using fresh, seasonal ingredients and simple, wholesome recipes that support both comfort and wellbeing. For her, the kitchen is a place of presence, where each meal is prepared with attentiveness and gratitude.
At Elderflower, she believes that food is more than nourishment—it is a quiet way of offering warmth, dignity, and connection to the elders who share in the community each day.
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Board of Directors
Adarrell Gadsden, Vice President & Philanthropic Advisor
Adarrell Gadsden is President-Elect of the Asheville Symphony and East Coast director of regional development for Loyola Marymount University. He was previously at the College of Charleston where he served as the senior development officer for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, where he led fundraising activity in the college’s largest school, managed fundraising activities of the dean, and actively engaged the constituents in the Mid-Atlantic region on behalf of the university. Prior to this, Gadsden spent time at the Democratic National Committee and two Democratic Congressional Campaign’s Emerging Races.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and marketing from Winthrop University. In his free time, Gadsden likes hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains and listening to modern punk music.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and marketing from Winthrop University. In his free time, Gadsden likes hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains and listening to modern punk music.
Sarah Livingston, Treasurer
With a strong commitment to the success of small businesses, Sarah Livingston brings a wealth of
experience and dedication to her role as Treasurer and as a small business bookkeeper. Originally from
Wisconsin, she spent two decades in Phoenix, Arizona before making her home in Asheville, North
Carolina, in 2018. Her journey reflects a deep-rooted passion for supporting entrepreneurs and a unique
blend of professional expertise.
Before transitioning into owning her own bookkeeping & consulting company, Sarah was a key member
of the ownership team at an engineering and construction company in Phoenix, which was successfully
sold to a private equity firm. This experience provided her with invaluable insights into the financial and
operational needs of businesses, which she now leverages to help small businesses thrive across the
nation.
Holding a bachelor’s degree in business communications from Arizona State University, Sarah combines
her academic background with real-world experience to offer comprehensive financial support. She is
particularly drawn to Asheville’s vibrant community and enjoys contributing to its local spirit.
Outside of work, Sarah embraces an active lifestyle through hiking, yoga, and travel. She has been
called a “connector of people” by friends in Asheville. She shares life with her supportive husband,
Andrew, and a beloved cat, Dulce, finding balance and joy in both her personal and professional
pursuits.
experience and dedication to her role as Treasurer and as a small business bookkeeper. Originally from
Wisconsin, she spent two decades in Phoenix, Arizona before making her home in Asheville, North
Carolina, in 2018. Her journey reflects a deep-rooted passion for supporting entrepreneurs and a unique
blend of professional expertise.
Before transitioning into owning her own bookkeeping & consulting company, Sarah was a key member
of the ownership team at an engineering and construction company in Phoenix, which was successfully
sold to a private equity firm. This experience provided her with invaluable insights into the financial and
operational needs of businesses, which she now leverages to help small businesses thrive across the
nation.
Holding a bachelor’s degree in business communications from Arizona State University, Sarah combines
her academic background with real-world experience to offer comprehensive financial support. She is
particularly drawn to Asheville’s vibrant community and enjoys contributing to its local spirit.
Outside of work, Sarah embraces an active lifestyle through hiking, yoga, and travel. She has been
called a “connector of people” by friends in Asheville. She shares life with her supportive husband,
Andrew, and a beloved cat, Dulce, finding balance and joy in both her personal and professional
pursuits.
Lynne Inabnitt, Secretary
Lynne Inabnitt, M.A. CCC-SLP, is rooted in the foothills of Western North Carolina where she balances her professional life with being a mother of two boys, a wife, and a daughter, developing her family's homestead and lifestyle with organic and regenerative agriculture principles. With nearly two decades of experience as a speech language pathologist, she values respectful communication and inclusivity practices, gained through work in a variety of pediatric and adult settings. Over the past ten years, Lynne has held leadership positions in multi-disciplinary clinical operations. Currently, she is the Senior Vice President of Clinical Success at Presence, a leading teletherapy provider for K-12 students with diverse needs. She leads a team focused on managing service operations grounded in clinical best practices. Also, deeply committed to being an active member of her local communities, Lynne is particularly honored to serve the Elderflower community, giving our elders a place to thrive, by offering a unique holistic care option in Fairview, NC.
Ellen Raffel, MA, CCC/SLP Advisor (Former Board President)
Ellen Raffel is a certified Speech and Language Pathologist with a longstanding dedication to supporting older adults and strengthening community-based care. She served as President of the Board of Elderflower for more than a year, helping to guide the organization through the immense challenges that followed Hurricane Helene.
In the aftermath of the storm, Ellen played a key role in the rebuilding effort, including securing generous support from the Arby’s Foundation. As the daughter and niece of Arby’s co-founders, she was honored to help bring this connection forward at a time of great need, contributing meaningfully to Elderflower’s recovery and renewal.
Now serving as an Advisor to the Board, Ellen continues to offer thoughtful guidance and heartfelt commitment to Elderflower’s mission. As an older adult herself, she brings both professional expertise and personal insight to conversations about conscious aging, community, and a thoughtful quality of life.
In the aftermath of the storm, Ellen played a key role in the rebuilding effort, including securing generous support from the Arby’s Foundation. As the daughter and niece of Arby’s co-founders, she was honored to help bring this connection forward at a time of great need, contributing meaningfully to Elderflower’s recovery and renewal.
Now serving as an Advisor to the Board, Ellen continues to offer thoughtful guidance and heartfelt commitment to Elderflower’s mission. As an older adult herself, she brings both professional expertise and personal insight to conversations about conscious aging, community, and a thoughtful quality of life.
Get in Touch
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