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Upcoming board and executive committee meetings can be found at the bottom of this page.

Staff

Click on staff members names to email them directly, or call 910.815.3731 +ext.
For staff photos, click here.

Aimee Allen – Parents as Teachers Educator, ext.1016
Alanna Holmes – Finance Associate, ext.1000
Beth Bowen – Positive Parenting Coordinator, ext.1004
Channing Huggins – Positive Parenting Educator, ext.1024
Cody Smith – Behavior and Inclusion Support Consultant, ext.1007
Dayla Mendez – Child Care Resource and Referral Specialist, ext.1015
Debbie Harrell – Finance Director, ext.1014
Elizaida Velez-Olan – Parents as Teachers Educator, ext.1019
Gardner Foster – Parents as Teachers Educator, ext.1005
Jane Morrow – Executive Director, ext.1002
Jennifer Gallo – Community Outreach and Engagement Coord., ext.1028
Kelly Purvine – Receptionist/Support Services Associate, ext.1021
Kelly Puzon – Behavior and Inclusion Support Consultant, ext.1017
Krista Green – Child Care Resource and Referral Consultant, ext.1023
LaKeasha Glaspie – Physical Activity & Nutrition Consultant, ext.1001
Lisa Burriss – Family Services Manager, ext.1003
Matt Schaeffer – Child Care Resource and Referral Consultant, ext.1011
Mindy Davis – Early Care and Education Manager, ext.1010
Natalie Pond – Child Care Resource and Referral Consultant, ext.1008
Rachel Williamson – Early Literacy Specialist, ext.1027

 

Board of Directors

Officers

Diane Pappayliou, President, Community Member, Butler Snow, LLP
Craig Kelly, Vice President, Community Member, Youth Violence Intervention Specialist
Lisa Trotta, Treasurer, Business Representative, PPD
Mary Beth Rubright, Secretary, Assistant Director of Social Services

 

Board Members

Ashlye Hernandez, Parent of a child with special needs
Brittany Fountain, Community Member, Live Oak Bank
Cheryl Aguilar, Community Member, Family Childcare Home Provider
Charlrean Mapson, Faith Community, Price Cathedral AME Zion
Clayton Roberts, Municipal Representative, City of Wilmington
Craig Kelly, Community Member, Youth Violence Intervention Specialist
Diane Pappayliou, Community Member, Butler Snow, LLP
Karen Weaver, Business Leader, PNC
LaChawn Smith, Appointed Designee for the NHC Superintendent of Schools
Lisa Trotta, Community Member, PPD
Meredith Jones, Community Member, UNCW – Watson School of Education
Mary Beth Rubright, Director, New Hanover County Department of Social Services
Carla Turner, Assistant Health Director, New Hanover County Health Department
Marie Burgh-Cook, Appointed Designee for the Cape Fear Community College President
Rob Zapple, Appointed Designee for the Board of County Commissioners
Sarah Flarherty, Child Care Center, Caper Fear Community College
Shannon Smiles, Appointed Designee for Head Start Representative
Sheryl Kelly, Appointed Designee for the County Manager
Susan DeMarco, Appointed Designee for the Public Library Director, New Hanover County Library

Board of Directors Meeting Dates for Fiscal Year 2021-2022

All board and committee meetings are open to the public.  For meetings held via zoom, please contact Jane Morrow at least one hour prior to the meeting to receive the meeting link.

Meetings are at 6:00 pm at the Smart Start Office unless otherwise noted.

  • September 28, 2021
  • Board Retreat- To Be Determined
  • January 25, 2022
  • March 15, 2022
  • June 28, 2021

Executive Committee Meeting Dates

Meetings are generally at 1:00 pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each month via Zoom or at the Smart Start office unless otherwise noted – see below. 
Email Jane Morrow by noon on the day of the meeting to receive a link to join Zoom meetings.

  • July 22, 2021 – 3rd Thurs
  • Aug 18, 2021
  • Sept 22, 2021 – 4th Wed.
  • Oct 20, 2021
  • Nov 17, 2021
  • Dec 15, 2021
  • Jan 19, 2022
  • Feb 16, 2022
  • Mar 9, 2022 – 2nd Wed.
  • Apr 20, 2022
  • May 18, 2022

Finance Committee Meeting Dates

Meetings are at 12:00 pm via Zoom.  Email Debbie Harrell for an invite.

  • September 14, 2021
  • January 11, 2022
  • March 8, 2022
  • June 21, 2022

Meetings are held at the Smart Start Office unless otherwise noted.

  • Advocacy Committee
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  • Development Committee
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  • Planning & Oversight Committee
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  • Allocation Committee
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  • Nominating Committee
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