Board of Directors 2024
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Nadine Miller-Bernard, BS, M.Ed., Ed.S. - Chairperson
Nadine is a a native of Charleston, SC, retired Physical Education Teacher, Coach, Mentor, U. S. Army Veteran and a proud life member of the Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. An alumnus of South Carolina State University and Fayetteville State University, receiving B.S., M. Ed. and Ed. S. degrees prepared me to teach for 30 years in the Cumberland County School System. The welfare of all children is important to me and serving as the Board Chair of the Child Advocacy Center Board of Directors affords me the opportunity to continue that passion. She joined the CAC Board of Directors in 2017.
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The Honorable Caitlin Evans - Vice-Chairperson
Caitlin is a military brat, living most of her life in Fayetteville, NC. She is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, with a double major in psychology and Communication Studies. She then received a Juris Doctor Degree from New England Law in Boston. Over the past 15 years Caitlin worked in the local District Attorney’s Office, opened her own law practice, and is now honored to serve the Cumberland County community as a District Court Judge. She sees firsthand how the Child Advocacy Center positively impacts cases in the judicial system. It is her distinct pleasure to serve as Vice-Chair of the Child Advocacy Center Board of Directors. She has been serving on the CAC Board of Directors since 2016.
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Debbie Jenkins, DCSW., LCSW, BCD - Secretary
Debbie Jenkins is one of the founding members of the Child Advocacy Center dating back to 1993-1994 along with her husband, Dr. Robin Jenkins. She has remained on the Board for over thirty years and is currently the Secretary of the Board and Chair of the Professional Advisory Committee. She also, chair's the Community Child Protection and Child Fatality Prevention Team and sees every day how the CAC is a key part of ensuring children have opportunities to be the best they can be, no matter what they have experienced in life. She is a licensed therapist and continues to work with children and families in the community to be their advocate and voice when needed.
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Chris Lee - Treasurer
Chris Lee is the Retail & Business Lending Program Manager, VP for Carter Bank and Trust. He has been in banking since 2005, having spent his entire banking career in Cumberland County helping countless consumers & businesses with their financial needs. He’s extremely proud of Carter Bank and embraces their mission of “striving to be the preferred lifetime financial partner for their customers and shareholders, and the employer of choice in the communities they are privileged to serve.” Chris has also dedicated years of service to additional non-profit organizations including The Annual Friends of Children’s Golf Classic Committee, Community Advisory Board & Loaned Executive Committee with United Way, and Fayetteville Young Professionals. Chris is inspired by his wife and their 8yr old son and enjoys playing golf, traveling with family & friends and having game nights with his son, Asher. Chris joined the CAC Board of Directors in 2021.
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Rebecca Aul, JD
Rebecca is a proud Fayetteville native and works as an Assistant District Attorney in Cumberland County. She prosecutes a wide variety of cases, with a focus on crimes against children. In addition to serving on the CAC board, Rebecca is also part of the CAC’s Multi-Disciplinary Team, working closely with CAC staff and law enforcement to seek justice for child victims. Rebecca is an active member of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church where she serves on several committees and also assists in the children’s ministry. Rebecca and her husband, Sean, have two young children, Holt (6) and Daniel (4). Rebecca joined the CAC Board of Directors in 2022.
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DeLisa Crosby, Ph.D.
DeLisa has lived in Fayetteville since 2000. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a Doctorate in Public Health from Walden University. She has worked in public health for the past 30 years and is currently employed with the Defense Health Agency - Immunization Healthcare Division (DHA-IHD) located at Fort Liberty. DeLisa is an active member of the Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and strongly believe that is our duty as leaders to provide a safe environment for all children. She and her husband, Ron, have two children, Cameron and Christopher
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Laura Hardy, M.B.A.
Laura Hardy, is a proud lifelong resident of the local area. Her company, Hardy Group Consulting, is a minority firm that prides itself in educating the community on life skills and financial literacy. She proudly serves on the CAC Board because she knows how important it is to have a safe place for children that have experienced abuse. Her personal mission is to ensure everyone she comes in contact with is empowered personally and professionally. She has been serving on the CAC Board of Directors since 2019.
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Jimmy Hendley, Jr.
Jimmy Hendley Jr is a Fayetteville native, born and raised in the Murchison Road community. He has lived in Fayetteville all of his life and has several personal and professional connections here and beyond. He is the owner and founder of Better Beginnings Healthcare Solutions LLC, where they provide professional counseling services for those experiencing behavioral health and/or mental health concerns. He also assists with the boys support group through our counseling services. Jimmy has been serving on the CAC Board of Directors since 2021.
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George Hendricks, PhD
Dr. George Hendricks serves as the Senior Director for Legacy Planning at Methodist University (MU) . He previously served as a professor of social work (Tenured) and academic administrator at MU. A graduate of Pine Forest High School, George has called Fayetteville home for over 40 years. He enjoys giving back to his community through his local church , the Child Advocacy Center, the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club, and through his speaking engagements with George Hendricks Motivational Speaking. He is married to Kelly Hendricks , a Registered Nurse. George and Kelly have two grown children , Trevor, and Tanner. Trevor is a Physician Assistant and Tanner is attending seminary at Duke Divinity School. His favorite quote is “ be the change you wish to see in the world.” George joined the CAC Board of Directors in 2022.
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The Honorable Claire Hill
The Honorable Claire Hill is a past Chair of the Board of the Child Advocacy Center and has served on the Board since 2009. She has been a Superior Court Judge in Cumberland County since 2010. She was an Assistant District Attorney in Cumberland County for 20 years before becoming a Judge. She serves as an ex-officio member on the NC Human Trafficking Commission. She is a past-president and current sustainer of the Junior League of Fayetteville and a member of the Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County. She volunteers with the Child Advocacy Center because she understands the importance of child abuse prevention and assisting victims of child abuse. Claire has served on the CAC Board of Directors since 2009.
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Robin Hurmence, J.D.
Robin Weaver Hurmence has resided in Fayetteville since 1981. She holds an undergraduate degree in Law Enforcement from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Juris Doctorate degree from North Carolina Central School of Law. She has been practicing law in Cumberland County, North Carolina, since 1983. As a former Guardian Ad Litem Attorney in Juvenile Court, she understands the importance of having a safe place for children to tell their story and obtain needed services. She joined the CAC Board of directors in 2016.
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Julie Lee-Jacobs, Psy.D
Julie Lee-Jacobs is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Child and Family Behavioral Health Service of Womack Army Hospital. Julie is grateful for the opportunities life has afforded her to serve military families and children through her daily work and has spent most of her career working with military families. Having experienced the life-changing power of healing relationships in her own life, Julie feels strongly that a group of committed individuals can change the lives of children and families. Her involvement in the Child Advocacy Center is informed by a strong belief that the CAC is a critical organization in our community for bringing healing into the lives of children who are in need of advocacy and treatment. She and her husband, Warren Jacobs, consider the CAC one of the “bright spots” in our greater-Fayetteville community. Juiie has been serving on the Board of Directors since 2020. She also, co-chairs the Pinwheel Masquerade Ball and Auction Fundraiser Committee.
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Lucy Jones
Lucy has a BA in Journalism, with an interest in marketing/public relations, from the University of NC at Chapel Hill. Within the marketing field, she has worked in several states and abroad. As she was job hunting when her husband and she moved to Fayetteville many years ago, she somehow “got hooked” on volunteering and have been doing so ever since. In addition to working on local and state boards,she is especially pleased that she has been involved in starting several local nonprofits and most recently Connections of Cumberland County, a day resource center for women and children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. I have also done mission work in Bolivia, South America and Kenya, Africa. She has been serving on the CAC Board of Directors since 2006.
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The Honorable (Ret.) Elizabeth Keever
Elizabeth Keever is a retired Chief District Court Judge in Cumberland County and has been actively involved with the CAC for more than 25 years. She continues to be active in judicial education and family court issues. She has been serving on the CAC Board of Directors since 1996.
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Elizabeth Fox Lee
Beth Lee lived in a couple of states as a young child growing up and returned to Fayetteville to finish growing up. After completing college returned to Fayetteville and initiated a deep devotion and career to working with children and mission work. God, family, and friends are top priorities. Cherishes opportunities for traveling adventures and seeks solace in books, music and the garden. Giving time and trying to help the community are major focal points - giving back is a commitment. She joined the CAC Board of Directors in 2018.
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Johnny Leonard, MA, LCMHS, LCAS
Johnny Leonard is behavioral health therapist and owner of Healing Minds Therapeutic Services PLLC in Fayetteville & Durham, NC. He has been practicing for 14 years, working with children to adults. He is a local resident of Fayetteville for 35 years; he attended Pine Forest High School; Fayetteville Technical Community College; and Fayetteville State University. He is a treatment provider with WORTH Court in Cumberland County. He enjoys traveling and scuba diving in his free time. Johnny joined the CAC Board of directors in 2023.
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Mark Maynor
Mark MAYNOR, an ALLSTATE INSURANCE agent for 40+ years with LUTC, Honor Ring, Chairman Circle recognitions. Professionally, he currently serves as NC Assistant Treasurer with Allstate Insurance and on the NC Department of insurance Task Force. Born and raised in the Fayetteville area, attended Methodist University, and involved in various community outreaches, he enjoys meeting new people as well as outside activities such as fishing, hunting and gardening. Mark joined the CAC Board of Directors in 2014.
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Dr. Juelle McDonald Ed.D.
Juelle McDonald is a native of Fayetteville, NC. She is a graduate of E.E. Smith High School. Juelle received her Bachelors of Arts degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and her masters degrees from East Carolina University and Campbell University. She earned her doctorate degree from NC State University. Juelle currently serves as an administrator for Cumberland County Schools. She joined the CAC Board of Directors in 2021.
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Michael Morketter
Mike has been a CAC Board member since 2013, working primarily on the Facilities committee. His passion for helping children stems from his experience in his first job- as Youth Activities Assistant at the Fayetteville YMCA. He continued to work with the Y (Fayetteville and Chapel Hill) through college. Mike earned his undergrad and Doctorate degrees at the University of North Carolina. He returned to Fayetteville with his wife Ann to raise their two children and to be near his mom, who single-handedly raised Mike and his five siblings. Mike has been in the commercial insurance agency business for 33 years in Fayetteville and since May of 2022, in Charlotte, NC.
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Cheryl D. Perry MD
Cheryl D. Perry is an Emergency Medicine Physician. She is currently the Deputy Chief of the Emergency Department at the Fayetteville Coastal North Carolina Health Care System. She also works at the Cape Fear Emergency Department on a per diem basis. Cheryl joined the CAC Board of Directors in 2021.
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Sarah See
Sarah A. See is an Assistant Professor at Methodist University in the Department of Criminal Justice and Military Science. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her previous research has been focused on the mentally ill in our jail and prison systems, carry conceal and police use of force. Her latest publication in 2022 was about firearms. Sarah joined the CAC Board of Directors in 2023.
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Danielle Thomas-Taylor, M.D., M.P.H.
Danielle Thomas-Taylor is a General and Child Abuse board certified pediatrician. She is the medical director of the specialty clinic at Southern Regional AHEC, where daily she sees children for evaluations related to concerns of physical/ sexual abuse and maltreatment. In her professional role she works closely with the CAC as an active member of the multidisciplinary team and she relies upon their expertise in prevention, forensic interviewing and community outreach. She volunteered for the board as she has a vested interest professionally and personally in the CAC's mission and success. Professionally she wants to advocate for the specific needs of children and professionals who are touched by the center. Personally she hopes that the center is successful in creating a community where children live safe and free from abuse.
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Wendy Vonnegut, J.D.
Wendy Vonnegut is a Professor and Director of Legal Studies at Methodist University, she also serves as the PreLaw Advisor. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and Mercer University School of Law. She has served on the CAC Board of Directors since 2019 as well as served on the board in past years.