Who we are

Rise for ALS Chattanooga, Inc. is a Ringgold Georgia-based 501(c)(3)-pending nonprofit created to restore and host the first major Chattanooga ALS Awareness Walk since the last virtual one in 2021. Our mission is to raise funds and visibility for ALS research and local ALS family support; including care services, equipment assistance, and community connection.

Jacqueline Stepp Founder & Chair

Jacqueline Stepp is the founder of Rise for ALS Chattanooga, Inc., a nonprofit created to bring renewed visibility, hope, and support to families affected by ALS in the Chattanooga region. A devoted mother and Chattanooga-area business owner, Jacqueline has spent years helping run her family’s residential plumbing company, True Plumb LLC, alongside her husband Zac, who serves as president of his local BNI chapter. Through this network, Jacqueline has developed strong connections across multiple Chattanooga business groups, giving Rise for ALS immediate access to a wide base of community partners and supporters. Her passion for this mission is deeply personal. Her family has been impacted by ALS for generations, with three relatives lost to ALS and one to the frontotemporal dementia her family’s genetic ALS also causes. Her mother is also currently battling it. After realizing that Chattanooga had not hosted an in-person ALS walk in more than six years, she felt called to step forward and rebuild a movement of awareness, unity, and care in honor of her family and others walking the same path.As the driving force behind the 2026 Chattanooga ALS Awareness Walk, Jacqueline brings determination, heart, and a vision rooted in both advocacy and community action. Her leadership reflects her belief that no one should face ALS alone, and that Chattanooga is ready to rise together.

  • Co-Chair & Event Director

    Stephanie Carlsten is a seasoned event planner, community connector, and dedicated advocate for mission-driven causes. As the co-chair of Rise for ALS Chattanooga, she brings extensive experience organizing large-scale events, coordinating logistics, and mobilizing volunteers across the Chattanooga region. She is an active member of the Chattanooga Rotary Club, giving her direct access to a network of civic leaders, business owners, and philanthropic partners who share a commitment to strengthening the community. Her Rotary involvement adds tremendous value to Rise for ALS Chattanooga’s outreach, visibility, and sponsorship development. In addition to her professional experience, Stephanie has a deep personal connection to this mission. Having witnessed firsthand the impact ALS has had on Jacqueline’s family across generations, Stephanie stepped into a leadership role to help bring hope, awareness, and meaningful support to other families facing this devastating disease. Her creativity, professionalism, and passion for bringing people together make her an essential part of the leadership team driving the return of the Chattanooga ALS Awareness Walk in 2026.

  • Secretary & Board Member

    Shelby is a Client Care Advocate with Comfort Keepers and a passionate community educator with the Alzheimer’s Association. With over 10 years of experience across multiple levels of senior care, Shelby brings a deep understanding of the emotional, logistical, and long-term needs faced by families navigating neurodegenerative diseases. She has served on the Alzheimer’s Association Community Engagement Committee in Chattanooga and has been an active volunteer for many years, contributing to awareness initiatives, caregiver education, and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Her experience in advocacy, event support, and community outreach provides invaluable insight as Rise for ALS Chattanooga builds its own walk and caregiver support network. Shelby’s heart for vulnerable families, shaped by both personal and professional experience, makes her an essential voice in our mission to uplift, educate, and unite those impacted by ALS in our region.

  • Treasurer & Board Member

    Hayley is a respected insurance broker with Atlas Insurance and an active member of her BNI chapter. She is known in the Chattanooga business community for her outgoing personality, her connections across multiple industries, and her unwavering support of mission-driven organizations. Hayley attends and uplifts numerous nonprofit events throughout the year and was the person who pushed Jacqueline to start Rise for ALS Chattanooga, Inc. because she believed deeply in her ability to lead it. Her strengths in networking, relationship-building, and event outreach make her a vital bridge between corporate partners and the nonprofit’s mission.

"ALS is a reminder of the POWER of human resilience and the importance of always SUPPORTING one another."

— Steve Gleason

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