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The People Behind the Mission

Our Team
Shows Up Every Day.

Meet the dedicated staff who show up every day for children, families, and early educators across Onslow County. Our team brings expertise, compassion, and a shared commitment to building safer, stronger communities.

Operations Leadership

The Leadership Team

Chief Executive Officer
Dawn Rochelle
My Why

I believe that every child has the right to live a healthy life surrounded with unconditional love, consistent guidance and a sense of purpose that is supported by family and community.

Chief Advancement Officer
Ann Marie Raymond
My Why

Servant leadership is about doing things for people who may not be able to do for themselves, and I’m so proud to be able to do important work every day.

Chief Early Education Program Officer
Autumn Bishop
My Why

All children deserve to learn, feel safe, and love school. Our future depends on families being confident in the child care and preschool choices available in our community, teachers being fairly compensated and adequately educated, and children having access to essential early intervention services.

Chief People Officer
Buffy Farmer
My Why

I believe in adding value to people. If our community focuses on its people and their empowerment, we will thrive and prosper. It takes just one person to spark the idea for change — I believe in being that change.

Chief Business Officer
Michelle Hamberg

My Why

Every child deserves to experience a happy, healthy childhood. My work helps support the administrative needs that keep these vital services in our community — providing hope and healing to children and families right here in Onslow County.
Chief Growth Officer
Stacey Knox
My Why
My purpose is to advocate for and contribute to creating robust systems for children, families, and the early childhood workforce. I am deeply committed to collaborating with partners to strengthen systems and raise awareness that child care is a vital component of our community infrastructure.
Chief Information & Facilities Officer
Scott Lodder
My Why
I believe children thrive with positive support and role models around them. Sometimes it only takes one moment or encounter in a child’s life to change their direction for the better — and that is how you break the pattern of abuse and dysfunction.
Chief Medical Officer
Scott Playford, MD
My Why

Children do not choose their circumstances. It is our responsibility to ensure they have what they need for a successful life. Having strong systems in place and evidence-based programs provides the framework for children and families to thrive.

VP of Program Integration
LaWanna Wooden
My Why

I believe children are our future and our greatest investment. The work we do supports our goal of keeping children safe, healthy and ready to learn in high-quality environments. Our youngest citizens are counting on us to pave the way for their success.

Full Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Main Phone: 910-938-0336

C-Suite

Name
Position
Phone
Email
Dawn Rochelle

Chief Executive Officer

Ann Marie Raymond
Chief Advancement Officer
Autumn Bishop
Chief Early Education Program Officer
Buffy Farmer
Chief People Officer
Michelle Hamberg

Chief Business Officer

Stacey Knox
Chief Growth Officer
Scott Lodder
Chief Information & Facilities Officer
Scott Playford, MD
Chief Medical Officer / CAC Director

Operations

Facility Operations
Name
Position
Phone
Email
Scott Lodder

Chief Information & Facilities Officer

Maribel Dorsey

Operations & Facilities Manager
People Operations
Name
Position
Phone
Email
Buffy Farmer

Chief People Officer

LaWanna Wooden
Vice President of Program Integration
Melanie Nevels
Human Resources Manager

Finance

Name
Position
Phone
Email
Michelle Hamberg
Chief Business Officer
Emma Ames
Fiscal Supervisor
April Barber
MAC Lead Accountant
Lacresha Frazier
MAC Accountant
Marcie Soiney
Part-time MAC Assistant
Barbara Maxwell
Accounting & Payroll Specialist
Erika Johnson
CAC Fiscal Specialist

Programs

Early Head Start
Name
Position
Phone
Email
Stefanie Hunter
Director
Charlene Dudley
Family & Community Outreach Manager
Nicole Jachimiak
Education & Disabilities Manager
Dannyel Bryant
Family Advocate
Rachelle Gardner
Family Advocate
Beverly Ross
Family Advocate
Cassie Minerva
ERSEA Specialist
Child Care Resource & Referral
Name
Position
Phone
Email
Kara Darnell
CCR&R Director
Bethany Esau
CCR&R Coordinator
Cindy Chlomoudis
CCR&R Program Specialist
Reina Rodriguez
CCR&R Specialist
Shannon Niro
Early Education Administrative Coordinator
Catherine Hollis
Training & Technical Assistance Coordinator
Traci Herring
Training & Technical Assistance Specialist
Cristina Lovell
Training & Technical Assistance Specialist
Shannon Loy
Training & Technical Assistance Specialist
Emily Collins
Inclusion Specialist
NC Pre-K
Name
Position
Phone
Email
Courtney Wandishin
NC Pre-K Director
Raquel Hill
Preschool Programs T&TA Specialist

Shannen Downing

NCPK Program Specialist
Early Literacy
Name
Position
Phone
Email
Lisa Davis
Early Literacy Coordinator

Child Advocacy Center

Name
Position
Phone
Email
Scott Playford, MD
Chief Medical Officer / CAC Director
Sara Parrish
Clinical Services Director
Susan Jensen
Medical Provider

Sarah Merulli

Medical Provider
Christina Malu
CAC Mental Health Therapist
Mary Haunschild
CAC Mental Health Therapist
Mariah Popoola
Forensic Interviewer
Caron Schienle
Lead Family Advocate
Sarah Maready
Family Advocate
Tawnya Leza
CAC Family Advocate
Kristin Humphrey
DV Trafficking & CSAM Coordinator
Marianne Hollingshead
Medical Assistant
Nicole Bender
CAC Support Specialist

Advancement

Name
Position
Phone
Email
Ann Marie Raymond
Chief Advancement Officer
Jenn Johnson
Director of Donor Engagement
Kathleen Holbrook
Advocacy & Community Relations Director
Sara Cariaso
Annual Fund Manager
Justin Hefner
Coordinator of Partner Relations
Jamie Blasingame
Community Event Manager
Terri Uzzell
Advancement Support Specialist

Marketing & Comms

Name
Position
Phone
Email