Different experiences. A shared purpose. A deeply personal commitment to helping families find hope.
Kate Eardly
Co-founder · Birdie’s mother
Kate brings two decades of experience across sales, HR leadership, business operations, and global strategy. Her most defining role, though, is mother and advocate.
When Birdie was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition before birth, Kate’s world changed. Relentless advocacy, hospital stays, and deep faith became part of her family’s life, as did an unexpected sense of isolation.
Through Birdie’s Hope, she is turning that experience into a promise: that other families facing the unimaginable will know they are not alone.
Jay Eardly
Co-founder · Birdie’s father
Through Birdie’s life, Jay has witnessed the healing power of God, the blessing of family, and the strength of community. His purpose is for as many families as possible to experience those same blessings.
An executive with a global HR outsourcing firm, Jay brings experience in sales, client service delivery, and operations management, with a particular passion for people leadership.
Outside work, he volunteers at the family’s church, coaches youth sports, and is a member of F3.
Ariana Hardiman
Board member · Birdie’s aunt
As Birdie’s aunt, Ariana has known her since before she was born and has witnessed the power of prayer, resilience, and grace throughout her life.
A photographer and curator with a BFA in Photography, Ariana has spent more than a decade telling stories through fine art, editorial, and brand work. She is a co-founder of Joyce Creative, a design-forward agency she built with her sister and husband.
A mother of four, she draws inspiration from her family’s mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Paige and her family have known Birdie for most of her life, watching firsthand her strength and resilience as she grows up with challenges most children will never face.
After nearly two decades as a fashion industry executive, Paige founded Paige Richardson Styling, a wardrobe styling and image consulting practice helping women build closets that work for real life.
She lives in Charlotte with her husband and their two daughters, Lanie and Georgia.
Dena first met Sloane and her family when Sloane was four years old, and felt an immediate connection. It came from their warmth and kindness, and from experiences they share: both faced a challenging pregnancy and the birth of a child with complex medical needs.
Dena has loved watching Sloane grow up. She has a zest for life and brings so much joy to those around her.
Dena holds a master’s degree in nursing and has worked in community health and labor and delivery. Since having children, she is grateful to stay home with them and invest time in her church and volunteering in the community.
She is honored to serve on the board for Birdie’s Hope Foundation to support and encourage families facing challenging health situations.
THE HEART BEHIND OUR HOPE
Every purpose has a beginning.
Ours began with Birdie, and the love, faith, and community that have shaped her family’s journey.
