When Brad was eight, he wanted to be a rock star. Since then, he’s learned to play and build guitars and has managed athletic equipment for teams at NC State, Wake Forest University, and the United States Military Academy at West Point, often earning the name of “team dad.” As NC Child’s development and operations manager, Brad ensures smooth office operations like a rock star, with an eye on the details. He has a BA in Religion from Wake Forest University and is a staunch Demon Deacons fan.
Brad’s favorite thing about working at NC Child: “Being able to support people who are passionate about improving the lives of children in North Carolina.”
Joined the NC Child staff: 2022
Pets: Two dogs, Eli and Frankie
When Elizabeth was eight, she wanted to be a doctor or an artist. Since then she’s spent time as a YMCA camp counselor, aspiring music journalist, grant writer, social worker, yoga teacher, and overall nonprofit Renaissance woman. As Policy Analyst, Elizabeth collaborates with early childhood advocates to advance policies that provide support and promote sustainable change for North Carolina’s child care system. A Tar Heel born, bred, and dead, Elizabeth received Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health degrees and a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and global studies, all from UNC-Chapel Hill. She lives in her hometown of Raleigh with her partner Mike. Outside of the office, Elizabeth enjoys following local music, hiking and camping in NC’s state parks, and cooking semi-elaborate recipes for dinner.
Elizabeth’s favorite thing about working at NC Child: “The kind and thoughtful coworkers that inspire me every day”
Joined NC Child Staff: 2020
Pets: Benjamin Franklin, a temperamental miniature dachshund
When Moriah Collins was growing up in High Point, N.C., she wanted to be a counselor. While earning her B.A. in Psychology from Elon University, she developed a passion for improving the lives and well-being of children. Now, as the Community Engagement Specialist at NC Child, she works to build and strengthen the Child Advocacy Network (CAN) across the state. She is a committed organizer and racial justice leader both in the nonprofit sector and in her community. When not engaged in critical advocacy efforts, you can find her either on a hiking trail in the great outdoors or curled up with a good book and warm mug of tea.
Favorite thing about working for NC Child: “Working directly with the community and making connections with people that are then used to advocate for policies that improve their lives”
Joined NC Child: 2023
Pets: None
When she was 8, Morgan wanted to be a teacher. Today, Morgan is NC Child’s emotional wellness cheerleader, bringing together leaders from across sectors to ensure the mental and emotional health of North Carolina’s infants and toddlers. She grew up in Northern Kentucky and now calls Raleigh, N.C. home. She has an MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Morgan’s favorite thing about working at NC Child: “I have two favorite things: the people and the work, so basically it’s like nirvana.”
Joined NC Child Staff: 2019
Pets: Nova, a ten year-old shelter pup
Kim has always wanted to be an accountant, even as a little girl, when she dreamed of growing up to work with her Dad – an accountant. As NC Child’s Director of Finance & Administration, Kim manages the organization’s finance and human resource functions. Kim received her BS in – surprise! – accounting from Binghamton University. Outside of work, Kim spends most of her time watching her six kids in action in their wrestling matches, football, soccer, volleyball, and basketball games.
Kim’s favorite thing about working at NC Child: “Knowing I have a small part in making kids’ lives better in NC – not many accountants can say that!”
Joined NC Child Staff: 2017
Pets: 2 dogs, Koda and Bailey
Tiffany dreamed of becoming a journalist when she was a child – she had her sights on Oprah Winfrey’s job. As NC Child’s Policy Director, she has big dreams for our state’s children too. Tiffany leads NC Child’s legislative advocacy efforts, and uses data and research to analyze how public policy can better support North Carolina’s children and families. A native of Winston-Salem, Tiffany studied communications at NC State University. She honed her communications and policy skills in previous roles at St. Augustine’s University, the March of Dimes, and the NC Rural Center. When she’s not listening to legislative committee hearings, Tiffany divides her time between napping, admiring fire trucks, interior design, and trying new recipes.
Tiffany’s favorite thing about working at NC Child: “Literally making a positive impact on North Carolina.”
Joined the staff: 2021
Pets: An adorable dog son, a black mini goldendoodle named Ace
As a child, Claire dreamed of growing up to become a veterinarian like her mom. She was born in California and raised in Winston-Salem N.C., where she gained her love of language as a singer and poet. Claire comes to NC Child with a robust background in strategic communications, having led communications at several North Carolina-based organizations advocating for farmers, sustainable agriculture, health equity, and environmental protection. She’s still a poet and is part of a weekly women writer’s group that has been meeting since 2008. She earned her BA in Honors English from Scripps College and MA in Journalism & Mass Communications from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Claire’s favorite thing about working at NC Child: “The emphasis on community action, and committed coworkers who get nerdy about policy change.”
Joined the NC Child Staff: 2021
Pets: A very spoiled cat named Tiny
Luna Homsi grew up in Maryland and dreamed of becoming a pediatrician or a librarian when she grew up. She spent many summers interning in cancer-bio laboratories and volunteering at hospitals in the greater Washington, D.C. area. It was in those settings that she realized she’d like to help create large-scale change in healthcare. In her role as Health Policy Analyst, Luna’s work supports multi-year initiatives to eliminate childhood lead exposure, improve access to healthcare, and address Social Determinants of Health in our state. Luna received a Master of Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill and uses those skills to lead NC Child’s data, research, and KIDSCOUNT work. Before she was a Tar Heel, she was a Terp and received a BA in Anthropology from the University of Maryland, College Park.
When she’s not designing surveys and analyzing data, Luna loves to try new recipes from The New York Times cooking app and see movies at the Chelsea Theater in Chapel Hill.
Luna’s favorite thing about working at NC Child: Doing exciting and meaningful work that has a positive impact on kids around the state.
Joined the NC Child staff: 2022
Pets: None, but she has big plans to foster some pets and help them find furever homes
As Office Manager, Taylor Main keeps the NC Child team running smoothly. When she was growing up in Virginia, she wanted to be a marine photographer. Now, when she’s not at NC Child, she is still an avid photographer specializing in weddings as well as a traveler, donut enthusiast, and loyal fan of the Atlanta Braves and Harry Potter. She has a professional background as a videographer, photographer, and social media manager and holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Arts and Design from James Madison University.
Favorite thing about working for NC Child: Being part of an organization that is making a difference in the lives of children
Pets: A dog named Remy and cats named Pepper and Mozzie
When Erica Palmer Smith was eight years old, her dream was to be an author. She later decided that she would rather help write a better future by influencing policy to support children and families. As Executive Director of NC Child, she leads a team that does just that.
Before joining NC Child, Erica was the Executive Director of Care4Carolina, a statewide coalition of more than 150 organizations dedicated to closing the state’s health insurance coverage gap. Prior to that role, Erica served as Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in Kentucky.
A native of rural North Carolina, Erica grew up in Sampson and Alexander Counties. She received her B.S. and M.A in political science from Appalachian State University. Erica resides in Fuquay-Varina with her husband, Ryan, and daughter, Alice.
Joined NC Child Staff: 2022
When La-Mine was eight, she wanted to be a chef. Today she still loves to cook, and she coordinates NC Child’s outreach and story collection work, leading both our Youth Advocacy Council and Parent Advisory Council. La-Mine received her BSW at NC State University, She recently received her MSW from NC State while also working full-time and raising a family. Believe it or not, she also finds time to read.
La-Mine’s favorite thing about working at NC Child: “Being a part of a team that’s striving to use both data and the lived experiences of people to inform our work.”
Joined the NC Child Staff: 2017
Pets: Blackie the dog
When she was eight, Ileana wanted to be a writer. Today she’s the chief talent recruiter for the Voices for Children Choir. She works closely with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors to create and oversee NC Child’s fundraising efforts, with a focus on individual and major giving. Ileana received degrees in Music and Art History from UNC Greensboro. She serves as vice president of NC Child’s Fun Team and Yarn Club. She lives in Raleigh with her partner Jared, three sewing machines, nine bicycles, at least ten unfinished knitting projects, dozens of cookbooks, and way, way, way too many records to count.
What Ileana likes best about working at NC Child: “My smart and hilarious colleagues.”
Joined NC Child Staff: 2019
Pets: Dignan the dog and Applejack the cat
When Cassandra Rycek was eight, she didn’t know what she wanted to do for a living, but she knew she wanted to make a difference in the world. As NC Child’s Policy Team Practicum Student, she’s making it easier for policy makers to engage with early childhood education issues. Cassandra has a background as a fundraising professional in the educational sector. She also facilitated the opening of a private high school serving under-represented populations in the Triangle. She is pursuing her master’s degree in public health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She’s passionate about advocating for human rights.
Favorite thing about working at NC Child: Having the opportunity to address systemic issues that impact child health in direct, engaging ways.
Pets: Theo, a Foxhound mix, and Sammy, a Maltese mix
Alyssa is a graduate student from NC State University working on her master’s degree in social work, graduating in the spring of 2024. Her career goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker, which she plans to use in direct-practice therapy. She is also interested in being involved in lobbying for policy change concerning social justice issues and plans to follow a path that allows her to do both. She is excited to work with EarlyWell and be involved in strengthening the infant and early childhood mental health system.
As a child, Shanda wanted to grow up to be a pediatrician. Today she leads in community organizing and issue campaigns and supports the administrative functions of the Community Engagement Team. She also leads NC Child’s campaign to make early education and child care accessible to every family with young children in North Carolina. Shanda is a native of Sumter South Carolina, where she still owns two child care centers. In addition to her perspective as a successful small business owner and early childhood professional, Shanda brings a strong background in project management. She holds a BA from the University of South Carolina and an MBA from Webster University. She and her husband and three children live in Raleigh.
Shanda’s favorite thing about working at NC Child: “So far, it’s having the opportunity to have a hand in changing the trajectory of the future for children all across NC. Also, being able to work in such a family-oriented organization is the icing on the cake!”
Joined NC Child staff: 2020
Pets: A maltipoo named Kash Money
Kaylan grew up in Greensboro, NC, where as a child she dreamed of becoming a horse trainer. Today she’s still an avid outdoors woman, but her day job is wrangling health care policy. As NC Child’s Health Program Director, Kaylan leads our team of advocates for children’s health. She promotes public health insurance programs – Medicaid and NC Health Choice – that help ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. She brings tremendous expertise in health policy, including Medicaid, early childhood mental health, early intervention, and environmental health, through her past work at EverThrive, and the Legal Council for Health Justice. Before starting her career in health policy, Kaylan was an early childhood teacher. She is also NC Child’s official liaison to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.
Favorite thing about working at NC Child: The incredibly passionate staff who work tirelessly to realize a better North Carolina for all children and families (and do it with a great sense of humor)!
Joined the staff: 2021
Pets: Two cats named Boat (seriously) and Oatmeal
