Leadership

Dr. Ashley Wells is the associate school director for quality assurance in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences at UNC-Wilmington. She has a background in public health, organization and people development, and community engagement.

Brenda Roberts Fong is a native of Wilmington NC. She attended Ephesus Jr Academy and graduated from Williston Senior High School. She received her Certification as a Travel Consultant in New York City and retired from British Travel International. She received her Certification in Hospitality and Hotel Management from Cape Fear Community College. Currently, she serves as the First Vice President of New Hanover County NAACP and is the Chair of the NAACP Freedom Fund Committee. She is the Treasurer of the NHC Democratic Party.

Ethan is Senior Pastor of Teaching and Vision of The Bridge Church in Wilmington, NC. Ethan is a coastal native who grew up about an hour away from Wilmington in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Kacie Harless spent the first part of her career as a juvenile justice corrections educator in West Virginia. She has master’s degrees in special education and business. When she moved to Wilmington, she pivoted to clinical research. She is a clinical trial associate with Apnimed.

Teresa Woods-Cox graduated from Ohio University with B.S.Ed. and from Campbell University with a M.Ed. in Counseling. For thirty years she served as the CEO of a commercial mechanical and electrical contractor. Currently she is a managing partner for Liberty Land Development and DeerwooD5 along with leading a non-profit, Kator Dunn Farm, which assists veterans through ecotherapy.

Katy is Assistant General Counsel at Live Oak Bank, headquartered in Wilmington. Katy is passionate about civil rights and particularly about the rights of individuals who are presently or previously incarcerated. Katy previously served as Legal Director of the ACLU of North Carolina.

With a strong background in nursing and healthcare operations, Ashley is committed to ensuring individuals receive the right care in the right place at the right time for the right reason.  Ashley’s experience improving patient flow and aligning strategic growth to meet community needs allows her to bring a systems-focused, patient-first perspective to her work.  As a board member, Ashley is dedicated to supporting the work of this organization, striving to create pathways that promote wellbeing, access to essential resources and fundamental freedoms. Ashley is also a proud parent, motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in this community.

Brandy is a native of Pender County, NC.  She is a graduate of Fayetteville State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and is a registered nurse employed with Ciena Healthcare and Wellpath. Growing up in a rural community she has always understood the importance of resources and just how precious they can be which is why she believes you must give back and be the change you want to see. Her love for philanthropy was instilled in her from her grandparents who thought helping others was a gift. She continues now to work in Pender County and trusts in providing a patient-centered holistic approach to the patients she serves. As a board member she is passionate about decreasing recidivism through increasing reentry resources because she believes individuals are worth more than the worst mistake they have made in life. Her biggest honor in life is her mother, sister, nephew and great-niece. 

Cory “Blanco” Wrisborne was born and raised on the north side of Wilmington, NC and is a longtime advocate for progress in the inner-city community. Blanco has embraced his journey of adversity and credits his purpose to empower others through his story. He is an International Toastmasters Competition award winner and credits his success to never quit and “Keep Going.” Today, he is the owner of 10th & Hall, LLC providing home renovations and affordable housing throughout the region. His passion is to help save lives by pushing entrepreneurship and peace into the community.

From Charlotte NC, Rosetta graduated UNC-Charlotte with a B.A. in finance, and earned a law degree from NC Central University in Durham. She served as legal intern for Civil Rights Attorney Julius Chambers at Ferguson, Chambers, & Sumter, P.A., and later as contract attorney with the firm. Since 2018 she was Assistant District Attorney in NC’s 6th Prosecutorial District (New Hanover and Pender). She currently is superior court prosecutor as well as Pender County juvenile court prosecutor. Rosetta facilitates NHC Judicial Attendance Council meetings and has spearheaded mass relief efforts in the DA’s office, including expunction and driver’s license restoration. Rosetta was staff attorney with Legal Aid of NC in Pittsboro, NC. She is a member of the Pender and New Hanover Resiliency Taskforces, NC Second Chance Alliance, LINC Local Reentry Advisory Council, and Wilmington, NC Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Rosetta has two school-aged children.

McKay is a partner with Chapel Hill-based development firm East West Partners, and brings the frame of that experience to apply practical solutions to community and social projects. While leading the Wilmington office, he has completed: the public/private mixed-use high rise River Place; historic renovation of the Gaylord building; and The Range on Oleander, a mixed-use community including 36 workforce housing units. He serves in youth ministry at Lifepoint Carolina Beach, and on other private and public boards. McKay has a wife and two kids.