CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Interim Chief
Program Officer
Operations Director
DEVELOPMENT &
Outreach MANAGER
CARE COORDINATOR
Organization Driver
Communications Manager
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Chaplain
Senior Care Coordinator
Administrative Assistant
Women’s Reentry
ProGram Director
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Chief Executive Officer
Jennifer has held leadership positions in several North Carolina and New York City nonprofits over the past 28 years in the areas of prison chaplaincy and reentry, social services, the arts, community development, victim services, human rights, and spiritual activism. Prior organizations include the victim services nonprofit Safe Horizon, where she served in senior leadership roles including Vice President of Human Resources, after directing Joining Forces, a project on Public-Private Partnerships in Victim Assistance funded by the US Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime. She also held leadership roles at the social justice nonprofit stone circles at The Stone House, the human rights nonprofit WITNESS, the Fund for the City of New York, the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, and 651 Arts. She has worked as an organizational development consultant, coach, and trainer for nonprofits and groups across the country, and as a speaker, facilitator, and presenter for conferences, panels, and other convenings.
Interim Chief Program Officer
Doris brings 20 years of leadership experience in student, academic, judicial, and community affairs to her position at Arise Collective. Her most recent position in higher education was at Edward Waters University, where she served as Associate Vice President for Student Success & Retention. She began her career in higher education at her alma mater, Shaw University, where she served in roles including Coordinator for the Freshman Year Programs, the first female Dean of Students in the history of the university, and more recently, as the Director of Student Retention. She also held several positions at Saint Augustine’s College/University for 14 years of her higher education career.
Operations Director
Tashani is an experienced business manager with nearly 20 years of experience in human resources, business operations, and financial administration. Tashani earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from Walden University and earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Molly Grace is an experienced fundraising and development professional with a passion for using storytelling and relationship-building to invite members of the community, potential partners, and future donors to contribute to this work.
With a Masters in Teaching from Salem College, her rooting and initial call to serve was in classroom instruction and transforming public education. Over the years this transitioned into various roles in community organizing & education, advocacy and legislative activism, and fundraising for both on-the-ground grassroots initiatives as well as nonprofit organizations devoted to missions of equity, access to care, access to education, and community healing from harm.
Care Coordinator
Robin is a Certified Peer Support Specialist dedicated to using her personal recovery and empathetic approach to meet people where they are and walk with them where they are going.
She has experience in case management, trauma-informed care, and supporting individuals with a history of justice involvement, substance use, and mental health recovery. Her passion is helping others live autonomous, authentic, and audacious lives rooted in integrity and surrounded by community.
When she’s not at Arise Collective, Robin enjoys attending church services and events, participating in game nights with family and friends, and unwinding with highly anticipated “mom-cations.”
Organization Driver
Chaplain James is a graduate of the Mason Kelly Religious Institute where he earned his credentials as a certified Para-Chaplin, HIV Counselor, and Crisis Intervention Specialist.
In his role as Organization Driver, Anthony is responsible for safely transporting WRP participants to and from various destinations and appointments in the community. These include medical appointments, mental health appointments, job interviews, classes, etc.
His first book, The Millionaire’s Brother: Overcoming the Addictions of Life shares his life story of overcoming drug addiction, incarceration, and challenging relationships.
“Keep striving for greatness. Keep pushing toward your desired result and don’t give up. Don’t give in. Always look to win.”
With more than 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and administrative duties, Regina (Regi) helps deliver the message and mission of Arise Collective to the community. She has a BA in Sociology from Shaw University and is certified in Graphic Design & Advertising from Wake Technical Community College.
Executive Assistant
Cherisse has worked with non-profit organizations since graduating from Frostburg State University with a BS in Business Administration. Originally from Baltimore, MD, Cherisse’s prior employment included working with underserved communities in a healthcare setting. She is excited to have found a ministry since relocating to North Carolina, where she can continue to help others in need.
In her spare time, Cherisse enjoys her role of caring for and spending time with her family, volunteering at her children’s schools through PTA, watching movies, and attending functions at her church.
Chaplain
Elisa is a Humanist-endorsed, interfaith Clinical Chaplain. She has a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City as well as a Master of Education in Early Childhood and Special Education.
Prior to working for IPMW, Elisa was a hospital Chaplain specializing in palliative care and pediatrics. She has provided diverse people with spiritual and/or emotional care in Washington, D.C., New York, and North Carolina. Elisa now resides in Durham, North Carolina with her husband and two “children,” a Siberian husky and a chihuahua rescue. She is passionate about holistic health, spending time in nature, all forms of dance, the fine arts, reading, and writing.
Sr. Care Coordinator
Being a woman in recovery, Megan has found her purpose and passion in helping others find their own way. Having struggled for years to find and sustain recovery, Megan has been blessed with the ability to connect and relate to others in a special way.
Megan is a Certified Peer Support Training and Recovery Coach and an advocate for reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorder, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and justice-involved individuals.
Administrative Assistant
Bonita is a person who loves to do whatever she can to help others regardless of situations that she has been in or going through.
She retired in March of 2023 and moved to NC to make this her home. She previously worked at Bradley Hospital for 12 years which is the nation’s first psychiatric hospital exclusively for children and adolescents. She provided secretarial services for the Outpatient, Neuropsychology, and CADD departments.
Before that, Bonita worked for over 20 years in the accounting field. Her experience and organizational skills give her the know-how and determination to succeed at Arise Collective.
In her spare time, Bonita loves spending time with family, crafting, binge-watching movies/tv shows, and line dancing. She enjoys going to church and is actively looking for a church home.
Women’s Reentry Program Director
With nearly two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, Kim brings to Arise Collective the heart of a servant leader. She has deep passion and compassion for both the women and the work of the Women’s Reentry Project. Kim shared, “I know, firsthand, how that darkness can swallow you up, and I know what it is like to feel lost.”
Public Arts Project Coordinator
Shirlye, a dedicated advocate for social justice, emerged resilient from a period of incarceration and is now passionately committed to fostering positive change in her community. During her incarceration, she served as the Chaplain’s Clerk and played a pivotal role as one of the original four artists of Stitching Stories—a prison awareness quilt.
With over 20 years of experience in accounting and project management, Shirlye brings a wealth of skills to her mission. Her unwavering determination is fueled by a deep commitment to ensuring the liberation of her fellow sisters from “Behind the Fence.”
Public Arts Project Manager
Bethany has almost 10 years of project management experience as she enters her role at Arise Collective. She attended the University of Michigan for architecture and Italian before completing her Master’s degree in Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy.
Bethany prides herself on the well-rounded humanist approach that living abroad afforded her. Once she returned to the United States, she began working in the architecture/construction field, where she has worked for the past 13 years.
Bethany owns her own art business, BAN Artwork, which specializes in LED art. Using this experience and more, she is very excited to bring the Stitching Stories project to life.
Intern
Elizabeth is in her second year pursuing her Master of Divinity at Duke. When she first heard about Duke Divinity School’s Prison Ministry Certificate and opportunities to take courses alongside those incarcerated, she knew that was her next step. She tries to tailor her coursework towards learning about serving those on the margins. Prior to attending Duke, Elizabeth worked in fundraising for a prison ministry. At Arise, Elizabeth works with Chaplain Elisa, providing spiritual care to women behind bars and those experiencing reentry.
Intern
Khloe’ is currently in her third year of graduate school pursuing a dual master’s degree in Divinity at Duke University and Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill. Before entering graduate school, she dedicated five years to inclusive mediation and received training in conflict management.
Khloe’ has contributed to Arise Collective through chaplaincy services and is presently involved in a social work role. Her belief in the transformative power of listening and presence is evident in her work, where she engages with women during assessments, attentively hearing their stories. Through these interactions, she gains insights into their past, present, and aspirations for the future.
Outside of work, Khloe’ finds joy in spending time with her girlfriend, nephew, family, and friends. Her interests include going to the movies, hiking, running, biking, playing chess, soccer, and exploring new destinations through travel.
