Our Team
Our team is working to transform education through evidence-based programs and resources, boosting student confidence and reading skills for a brighter future.
Alexandra Arcaya
Project Manager and Implementation Coach
Anna Winstead
Implementation Coach
Amy Garner
Project Manager and Implementation Coach
Amy Mattingly, Ph.D.
Chief Program and Impact Officer
Anam Lodhi, MAT
Deputy Director of K-12 Programs, Raleigh Office
Anissa Burwell
Implementation Coach
CeCe Sellers
Implementation Coach
Chowdhury Arefin
Director of Finance
Elisa Bell
Accounting Manager
Finley Baldwin
Project Manager and Implementation Coach
Gwen Hinton
Vice President of AFACE Programs
Heather Kasdan
Project Manager and Implementation Coach
Jennie Copeland, MSW
Vice President of Advancement
Kate Llewellyn, M.Ed
Recruitment and
Outreach Manager
Katie Thompson, MAT
Project Manager and Implementation Coach
Katie Yow, MSW
Program Trainer and Facilitator Adult, Family, and Community Empowerment Programs
Kayla Huynh
NC Literacy Corps Member
Kayla Webb
Events & Engagement Coordinator
Kim Perkins
Vice President of K-12 Programs
Laura Tucker, M.Ed.
Project Manager and Implementation Coach
Maranda Bryant, M.Ed
Implementation Coach
Melissa Walker
Program Trainer and Facilitator Adult, Family, and Community Empowerment Programs
Pierce Watson
Deputy Director of K-12 Programs, Raleigh Office
Mishelia Harris
AFACE Data Specialist
Moné Norman
Administrative Coordinator, Leadership Team
Nhi Taylor, Ph.D.
Director of K-12 Programs, Charlotte Office
Rashonda Peterson, MAED
Program Trainer &
Facilitator
Reem Salah
Grants and Contracts
Manager for Advancement
Sarah Hough, Ed. D
Project Manager and Implementation Coach
Sheila Causieestko
Recruitment & Outreach Specialist
Tanisha L. Herring, M.Ed
Program Trainer and Facilitator Adult, Family, and Community Empowerment Programs
Tai Caldwell
Adult & Family Literacy
Trainer & Facilitator
Tamara Campbell
Chief of Staff & Operations
Trevor Osterhaus
Lead Operations and HR Manager
William D. Gibson, D.Min.
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Yanitzmarie (Marie) Polanco
Project Manager and Implementation Coach
Staff Spotlights
We are incredibly proud of our dedicated staff members who work tirelessly to support families, educators, and students of all ages. We began as an all-volunteer organization and have now grown to represent more than 40 full and part-time individuals. We are thrilled to spotlight our outstanding team members and the ways they work to support our programs and deliver high-quality, evidence-based interventions.