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Staff
Leadership
Jennifer Pfaltzgraff
Executive Director
Jennifer Pfaltzgraff is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a BS in Communications. She is the mother of two children, Madeleine and Ethan. Jennifer began advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) when her son Ethan was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 7 months old. Her career as a graphic designer and small business owner made this possible. She joined the Wake County LICC, an early intervention collaborative, to make sure she understood the intricacies of the IDD world. She held the position of co-chair of the LICC for 7 years. While looking for supports for Ethan she learned about The Arc of Wake County and started off as a volunteer graphic designer and won the The Arc’s President’s Award that first year for her service to The Arc. She was elected to the board of directors in July 2007, serving as a director, then President, and Past President. Her career took a turn when she accepted the position as Executive Director for The Arc of Wake County leading up to The Arc of the Triangle (as of 12/2022 dba Triangle Disability & Autism Services) merger in July 2014. She was integral in the planning and execution of the merger- helping to bring Medicaid services to Wake and Durham counties as well as developing systems to ensure growth was balanced with stability. At the time of the merger, Jennifer transitioned into the Marketing and Communications Director role promoting the new brand of The Arc of the Triangle- educating stakeholders on the myriad of services and programs and The Arc’s mission and philosophy. She also took the lead on creating and organizing fundraising efforts like the Casino Royale and the ever-popular Bowl-a-thon. She readily accepted the challenge of Executive Director in November 2016 when approached by the Board of Directors. Jennifer has served as Chair for the Wake County Special Education Advisory Council and is currently the Co-Chair, representing Triangle Disability & Autism Services for 9 years. Outside of work, she loves to cook and spend time with her family, including her dog Charlie.
Michael Kirschner
Compliance Director
Originally from upstate New York, Michael received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Michael’s passion for working in the IDD field came from his first experience working as a Teacher Assistant in a classroom of students who have IDD at East Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill. Michael joined The Arc of Orange County as the Community Programs Coordinator in 2003 and has worn many hats since then including QP and IT support. When the local Arc chapters merged in 2014, Mike was made Assistant Director of Individual Services and rose to Individual Services Director in 2018. In 2022 Michael became Compliance Director for The Arc of the Triangle dba Triangle Disability & Autism Services. He is excited to be in this role, that will allow him to work with all departments and support the agency’s quality assurance. Outside of Triangle Disability & Autism Services, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, hiking and cycling.
Susan Swearingen
Director of Vocational Services
Susan Swearingen is a native North Carolinian. She attended East Carolina University where she received her BS in Special Education and in 2015 became a Nationally Certified Employment Support Professional. She has held teaching positions in Wilson, Pitt, and Wake County Special Education classrooms and has been teaching and advocating for persons with I/DD for over 30 years. Her career with The Arc of Wake County began as a job coach in the Project SEE summer program in the summer of 2010. She is passionate about providing quality services and ensuring that individuals who want to work have the opportunity to work.
Michelle Foy
Director of Community Programs
Michelle Foy has worked as a Registered Movement Therapist in various settings working with children, adolescents and adults that have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness. In 2005 she began working for The Arc of Wake County as the Program Director for the Retirement and Leisure Supports and Services Program. She now oversees all of the community programs in the Triangle area. She earned her Master’s of Arts Degree in Movement Therapy from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from US International University (now known as Alliant International University) in San Diego, California. She is truly passionate about the people she serves and supports and feels fortunate that she has such a fun and exciting job!
Behm WIlliams
Director of Support Services
Behm Williams grew up in the Chapel Hill area and has a passion for assisting people in the community. He has a BS in sociology from Ashford University, focusing on adolescent development. He spent about a decade working as a Teacher/Counselor for Hope Creek Academy where he worked with IDD children and young adults. In 2020, he began working with local families as a private in-home care provider. In 2021 he joined The Arc of the Triangle as a Support Professional , was promoted to Individual Services Supervisor and is now looking forward to his new position as Individual Services Director. Outside of work, he enjoys playing drums, fishing, and watching college football.
Natasha Pratt
Director of Day Services
Natasha Pratt is a Colorado native with a big drive for adventure and all things sunshine! She graduated from Colorado State University in 2017 with Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology degrees then made her way out East to experience the coast. She has supported people in the IDD community since 2011 in a variety of capacities including as a direct support professional, Employment Specialist and Building Abilities Camp Director. Natasha is bright, welcoming, and eager to bring everyone together. She is ready for our next chapter as we open the Building Abilities Day Program and to help bring Triangle Disability & Autism Services’s mission to fruition! 😊
Therapeutic & Mental Health Services
Kathy Mayer
LCMHC-A
Kathy Mayer received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. She enjoys working with both adults and children with special needs. She has worked directly with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities [IDD] as a Direct Support Professional and has supported teens as a Job Coach for The Arc of the Triangle’s Project See program. She has been with The Arc as an Employment Specialist since 2014 helping adults with IDD to fulfill their dreams of finding gainful employment in the community. Her passion for working with people with IDD comes from being mother to a young man with autism. Kathy decided to pursue her master’s degree in professional counseling in 2018 and is dedicated to supporting individuals in obtaining the services they need. Kathy is enjoying working in her new role as a Professional Counselor and continues to support individuals with IDD and their families. She specializes in working with teens and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-esteem, relationship problems in individual, family and group therapy settings.
Support Services Department
Terry Deans
Support Services Supervisor
Terry Deans is a North Carolina Native who spent much of his early years in Baltimore, Maryland where he was involved in an unfortunate accident that would change his life forever. While working as a construction worker, Terry was electrocuted and paralyzed for several months. It was during his hospitalization that Terry found that the direct caregiver was an intricate part for habilitation. Terry’s vision of customer care and empathy returned him to North Carolina where he started his Mental Health Career in Residential Care in the Wake County area. Terry has over 17 years working in behavioral health and while completing his BS in Social Science from the University of Maryland Global Campus, he has managed a Psychiatric Hospital and served as Area Supervisor for six Intermediate Care Facilities. Terry has a passion for serving others and has been recognized by his peers as a vocal advocate for the DD/IDD community. His leadership and experience adds value to our team.
Beth Horne
Support Services Supervisor
Beth Horne is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a Master’s in Social Work. This degree gives her exceptional skills to connect with families and children, as well as, their goals. She was focused on child development and life enrichment during her time in undergraduate school. During which she also minored in American Sign Language and Deaf Advocacy. These focuses taught her how to celebrate the things that make each person and child different and unique.
She has worked with differently abled children for over three years running a small developmental therapy business, working specifically with Birth-3 year olds. This experience allowed her patience, understanding, and flexibility in any situation. She works diligently to meet each diverse need with compassion, creative thinking, creative reasoning, and best practice. Working with a variety of individuals and families in the past, she is excited to continue her life passion of helping others.
Steph Lewis
Support Services Supervisor
Stephen Lewis is a native of New York. Born & raised in Brooklyn Steph (Like Curry) has had the privilege of growing up in the melting pot of New York City. In doing so he developed an appreciation & respect for all walks of life throughout his life. Stephen graduated college with a BS degree in Psychology with double concentrations in Counseling & social sciences from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut in 2011. Steph has clinical & direct support experience working with children and adults with IDD, adults and teens with mental illness, job coaching, veterans, as well as drug & detox rehab clients. No matter the environment Steph’s confidence & drive to assist those he can comes from the love of amazing people in his life and the countless positive experiences with individuals, families and group therapy settings over the years. Life outside work for Steph consist of spending time with his loved ones, raising his 5-year-old Puppy Snuffalufagus, photography, golfing, creating art, fishing & more.
Melinda Tyson
Support Services Supervisor
Melinda was born and raised in North Carolina. She discovered her passion for working with individuals with developmental disabilities while still in high school, volunteering during the school year in local group homes. Having realized her desire to influence change in policies on a larger scale, Melinda applied for, and received, the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship and went away to college, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, North Carolina, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services. Even while attending classes, Melinda continued to work in the field as a DSP. Having moved back home after college, Melinda became a wife to a Navy man, leaving the working world to be a stay-at-home mother to four handsome boys. During this time, Melinda volunteered for Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth, aka SAFY of Greenville. Once her own children had all graduated middle school, Melinda decided to return to the working world, but still within the parameters of the IDD field because, even though she knows it seems cliché to say, “I want to help people,” she felt that is truly where her heart lies—in making life better for others. Becoming the Individual Services Supervisor with Triangle Disability and Autism Services is very exciting to Melinda, and she feels that this role will allow her to do just that—’make life better for others.’
Vocational Services Department
Sabrina Bonomolo
Vocational Services Supervisor
graduated from Campbell University where she majored with a B.S. in Psychology. Sabrina began working for The Arc of the Triangle as a job coach and now enjoys her position as a Supported Employment Specialist. She loves working with the community and finding individuals meaningful work. She is originally from New York, but has lived in NC for many years and loves the Chapel Hill area. In her free time, Sabrina enjoys music, guitar, and spending time with friends and family.
Breanna Herring
Vocational Services Supervisor
Breanna Herring graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a double concentration in Women & Gender Studies and Child & Family Development. Throughout her high school and college years, she often volunteered at various schools in which she worked with students with IDD in classrooms. In June 2023, she began working for Triangle Disability & Autism Services as a Job Coach and Direct Support Professional, then became a Vocational Services Supervisor in August 2023. In her free time, Breanna enjoys traveling, going to museums, reading books, playing musical instruments, and practicing photography. Most importantly, she loves being able to make a positive impact in her community by helping others.
Athena McWhorter
Project SEE Manager
Athena McWhorter is a retired Air Force Master Sergeant (E-7). Athena received her Bachelor in Social Work from Stockton University in Pomona, NJ. She has worked as an employment specialist and guardianship Specialist in NJ. In 2012 she began work as a Guardianship Specialist with The Arc of North Carolina until 2015 when her husband (retired from active duty Air Force) received orders and the family was moved to Wichita, Kansas where Athena became a Targeted Case Manager. Athena and her husband moved back home in 2019. Athena enjoys working with students with disabilities and helping them make an impact in their community. In her free time she likes to read, play Xbox, and has recently rediscovered her love for photography.
Community Services
Tony Hall
Community Resource Specialist
Tony Hall is a native of Silver Spring, Maryland, a suburb of Washington D.C. . He is a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Web and Applications Development in 2011. Early in his career, he worked as a Web Developer for various government contractors under the National Institutes of Health in Maryland. Relocating to North Carolina in 2017, he continued his work in IT. Deciding to pursue a career in serving the disabled community in 2019, he joined Triangle Disability & Autism Services as a job coach. He soon began job coaching groups of high school students in the Project SEE program. Tony received Triangle Disability & Autism Services’ Support Professional of the Year Award in 2021. Being a person with a disability himself, he states that he has a passion for advocating for adults and children with disabilities. Outside of work, he enjoys trying new recipes, raising his 7-year-old dog, participating in adaptive recreational activities, attending and participating in poetry events and spending time with friends.
Isa Lucarelli
Day Services Supervisor
Isa Lucarelli lived in Charlotte, NC until she moved to the Triangle area to attend The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She graduated from UNC with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies. Isa began working with TDAS as an intern at TDAS’ Transitional Day Program in 2022. Isa continued her work within the agency in a variety of roles including job coach, direct support professional, and Lead Counselor at Building Abilities Summer Experience. She is now the Day Services Supervisor at Building Abilities Day Program. In her free time, Isa enjoys cooking, thrifting, and spending time with friends and family.
Administrative
Marie Dionne
HR Generalist
Marie Dionne received her Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Marie worked in a variety of different positions in the following years, including as a Science Museum Educator and Coffee Shop Manager. In 2011 she began working for The Arc of Orange as a Support Professional and later became Coordinator of the Summer Work & Wellness Program. Having now discovered a passion for supporting people with disabilities, she worked as an Exceptional Children Teacher Assistant for four years before becoming a QP with The Arc of the Triangle dba Triangle Disability & Autism Services. Marie later served as Assistant Director of Individual Services, and Individual Services Director, before moving into her role as HR Generalist. When she’s not working, Marie enjoys watching streaming shows and spending time with animals; she has two cats and cares for a small herd of horses.
Shannon Williams
Data & Billing Support Specialist
Shannon Williams is a native of North Carolina. She relocated to Wake County to access more opportunities for her two sons and services for her oldest who is a member of the IDD community. Shannon has been involved with advocacy as a foster home houseparent, independent living director and utilization management. Shannon received a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Communications and Business Administration from Chowan University in 2003 and a Master’s of Public Health and Administration from UNC Pembroke. Shannon returns to the work force after spending the past nine years homemaking and advocating for her son. She is happy to be working at an organization that is making a difference in an area dear to her heart.
Lauren Holowiti
Recruitment Specialist
Lauren Holowiti is a graduate of North Carolina State University where she received her BA in Psychology. She discovered her passion for working within the disability community in 2019 when she was employed as a caregiver for children with disabilities. In 2021 she started working for The Arc of the Triangle as the arts and crafts instructor at the ATU Transitional Day Program. After the program concluded, she started a new position in 2022 as a Community Navigator. She is excited to move into the Recruitment Specialist position where she can use her talents to bring in new staff to work with our families. During her free time you can catch her reading, enjoying some sunshine, and spending quality time with her loved ones.
Monick Ricks
Scheduling Specialist
Monick Ricks is originally from New Jersey and has been living in North Carolina for over 17 years. She has her Associate Science Degree in Medical Assistant. She has been working with adolescents and adults that have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for over 15 years. She worked with adult women at a group home facility for four years where she assisted and supported the women with completing their Activities of Daily Living. In 2022 she joined The Arc of the Triangle as a part time Staffing Specialist and a part time Support Specialist which she loves and enjoys serving the people she supports. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her friends and her daughters and her grandchildren.
Keara Suzik
Project Coordinator
Keara Suzik is originally from New York where she graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a BFA in Graphic Design. She has been working within the Wake County School System arts community for over 20 years in many capacities from volunteering with PTA, creating and designing signage to co-teaching stage & costume design. Before joining The Arc, she was a Teaching Assistant for a cross-categorical kindergarten class. Keara enjoys combining her passion for the arts and community outreach to benefit The Arc’s mission. In her spare time you can find her drawing, reading and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Kenneth Kelty
Administrative Assistant
Kenneth Kelty was born and raised in West Palm Beach South Florida. He is a graduate of the Western Carolina University Participants UP Program at Western Carolina University, a two-year inclusion program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While at WCU Kenneth studied criminal justice and political science. Upon graduating, Kenneth joined The Arc of The Triangle in 2014. In his spare time, he loves knitting blankets and scarfs. Kenneth is an award-winning blogger and motivational speaker on life with disabilities and has a public Facebook page Kenneth Kelty Public Speaker and Author. He has done advocacy work on a local and national level. Kenneth has participated in advanced leadership training in the disability community at The UNC CIDD and Alliance of Disability Advocates.
Charlie
Support Assistant
Charlie is a Raleigh native and can be found wondering the halls of the office visiting and making folks smile. He doesn’t smell great- but makes up for that with a sweet face and a quiet demeanor. Charlie enjoys eating weird things off the ground and sleeping in the sun. If he’s not at the office, you can find him at home with his family enjoying the good life.
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