Directory
Leah Wright graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and certification in Elementary Education. A National Board Certified Teacher, Leah retired in 2018 after 30 years in the Wake County Public School System.
Established as a nonprofit in late 2018 and approved as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2019, Leah led a passionate team that spent two years researching best practices and developing a program. Opening in August 2021, Wake Monarch Academy became the first and only recovery high school in the Triangle area, offering a college-preparatory education for 9th-12th grade students aged 13 to 21.
Leah is dedicated to recovery, supporting families, and raising awareness to break the stigma of addiction. She emphasizes the importance of never losing hope and the beauty of recovery.
Darla Baker grew up in Kenansville, NC which is located in rural eastern North Carolina. She earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from North Carolina State University. She holds North Carolina certifications in middle and secondary school mathematics as well as school administration.
The central theme of her career has been to help others thrive in areas they find to be their most personally challenging both inside and outside of the classroom. Darla is excited to work with Wake Monarch students as they continue their high school courses in a nurturing environment.
Kathryn was raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. She began her college education at Peace College, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree. She then attended North Carolina State University, where she earned a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Secondary Science Education. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher.
In her personal life, Kathryn has seen the effects of substance abuse among several family members. This has driven her commitment to helping others overcome difficulties and build a better future. She believes strongly in the power of meaningful education paired with recovery support services. Kathryn is devoted to creating classroom environments where all students, especially those in recovery, can thrive.
Bonnie is Co-Chair of the Board as well as Policy/Advocacy Chair for Wake Monarch Academy. She currently works from home through her own consulting business and has a background in planning, policy and environmental science.
Bonnie is married and has two teens, one in high school and one at the Honors College at ECU. Her favorite things to do when she's not working are hanging with her family and friends, watching high school and college football and basketball, strength training, serving at her church and in her community, and traveling (especially east).
Lauren Williams is Co-Chair of the Board of Directors as well as Chair of Development at Wake Monarch Academy.
Having spent the majority of her career to date doing development work with nonprofits, Lauren is currently with the marketing firm Angel Oak Creative, a firm dedicated to serving nonprofit clientele. Helping clients tell their stories and raising awareness with a fundraising lens is a big part of what she enjoys about this work. Lauren is passionate about recovery and has been involved with Wake Monarch Academy for the last four years in various roles.
When Lauren's not dreaming about the impact fundraising and marketing can make for nonprofits, you can find her with her sweet dog Hazel spending time at the beach, enjoying live music with friends, or trying out a new restaurant!
Stephanie is on the Board of Directors for Wake Monarch Academy and held the previous Chair position. She currently works at Wake Med with the Bariatric Program.
Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family, watching her grandchildren, gardening, and is an avid reader.
Rebecca Brigham, MSW has a 40-year career as a social worker. Her career included working in public and private child welfare services (county, state, and non-profit) and academia as a Clinical Associate Professor at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work.
Ms. Brigham has been active in the Triangle adolescent substance use recovery community for more than three years. She and her husband are the proud parents of two adult children. In her free time, she enjoys community engagement, travel, and needlework.
Jeremy is a Software Portfolio Manager with Cisco, a company he has been with for nearly 20 years. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from the California State University at Chico where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Jeremy and his wife, Heather, have a blended family with six children, Christian, Emily, Faith, Sarah, Katy, and Ethan, one grandson, Ashton, a cat, and a dog. Jeremy enjoys portrait photography, live music, playing drums, Seattle Seahawks football and Seattle Mariners baseball. In addition to his service with WMA, Jeremy is an active member of the 100 Men Who Give a Damn charity organization.
Kenny Ferguson, currently the IT Director at NC State University in Raleigh, NC, is a person with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the fields of security, law enforcement, and business.
Kenny has spent 15 years providing high-risk/value bodyguard services to the elite and wealthy foreign dignitaries from around the world, as well as some of your favorite local college coaches and businessmen. He also holds an M.B.A (Master of Business Administration) from The University of Arizona Global Campus (2022) and a B.S Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology from University of Arizona Global, where he graduated CUM LAUDE (2020). Kenny was also on the cover of Forbes Magazine for the April/May issue of this year.
Kenny is a child welfare advocate and mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle and other agencies dedicated to serving underprivileged youth in our community. He is also a child advocate for Path Changers, an organization that provides transitional housing for youth aging out of foster care. He has since been named the Director of Security for the Special Olympics of North Carolina summer games. Kenny is a youth sports coach for the Capital City Steelers Pop Warner organization, and he is also the video recruiting coordinator at Millbrook High School in Raleigh, NC, where his 17-year-old son Jayden plays Varsity football and his 15-year-old son Micah runs Track and field on the varsity level.
Jacques Gilbert is a native of Apex, North Carolina where he currently resides. In April 2019, he retired from the Apex Police Department at the rank of Captain with 29 years of service. In addition to graduating in the 220th FBI National Academy, he has written three books, is a certified personal trainer, and is the founder of TheVine919.
In 2017, Jacques launched Blue Lights College, a community college in Apex with the mission to bridge the gap between community and police by attracting and training a new generation of youth and police to approach conflict with compassion through the pillars of Faith, Purpose and Trust.
In November 2017 he was awarded Tarheel of the Week by News & Observer. He also received several other community service awards in 2017. In 2018, Jacques was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Roy Cooper.
In November 2019 Jacques was elected the 32nd Mayor of Apex, North Carolina and was sworn in on December 3rd 2019 making him the first black mayor to be elected in the 148 year history of Apex. In November, 2023 Jacques was re-elected to his second term.
Jacques is married to his wife Meshara, his children include Logan and Kalabria, and he has one grandchild, Croix.
Jay is a financial advisor with Raymond James, following the fiduciary standard in service to the needs of his clients. He holds an MBA from Campbell University with a concentration in investments, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Samford University, and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) designation
A native of eastern North Carolina, Will attended UNC–Chapel Hill for undergrad following in the footsteps of his parents and older brothers. A sociology and public policy major, he brings industry and entrepreneurial knowledge of finance, insurance, logistics, and event management to the board as well as his own personal recovery experience.
He also enjoys good eastern NC barbeque, playing with his dog Rue, and cooking his way through various cookbooks – except baking, he’s really not good at baking.
Ashley Riggleman is Secretary of the Board of Directors of Wake Monarch Academy. Ashley currently practices real estate law with Triangle Property Law in Apex, NC.
Before practicing real estate, Ashley focused on nonprofit work as the Staff Attorney at NC Center on Actual Innocence where she reviewed wrongful conviction claims for indigent inmates. She attended UNC Wilmington then graduated from Campbell Law in 2013.
You can often find Ashley with her head in a book, at the lake, or enjoying time with her Husky named Kilo.
Jacob Rodman is the chief executive officer for Raleigh Neurosurgical Clinic, Inc, a group that was established in 1954.
Mr. Rodman is a board certified medical practice executive by the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) and has presented both nationally and internationally on a variety of topics surrounding medical practice management and leadership. A native of Kentucky, he attended the University of Kentucky and The State University of New York.
Along with being a man in recovery, Jake is a Project Manager at Pine Creek RNG. Jake is a passionate entrepreneur who has helped to found and advise multiple start-up companies.
Jake holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Villanova University and is also a CFA Charterholder. He lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife Anna. He lived as an expat in Cambodia for almost 2 years, and his most prized possession is his passport that ran out of pages before it expired. In addition to travel, he also enjoys fishing, anything outdoors, and playing the saxophone.
Michelle is chair of fundraising for WMA. She is a graduate of Elizabethtown College with a dual degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She is currently a stay at home mom, taxi driver, full-time cook and cleaner.
Michelle became involved with Wake Monarch Academy after losing her oldest child at the age of 19 to suicide after a difficult battle with substance use. She currently heads up our fundraising committee.
Daniel Alexander currently serves as the program director for Mission Triangle. In this role, he teaches, consults, and supports over 200 nonprofit organizations in strategic planning, board development, fundraising, organizational measurement, staff leadership, marketing, and communications.
He currently serves on the board of directors for Trinity Academy and previously served on the board of directors for Oak City Academy.
Chris Budnick, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, is the executive director at Healing Transitions and has worked in addiction treatment and recovery since 1993. Mr. Budnick became a certified substance abuse counselor in 1998. He graduated from East Carolina University in 2000 with a Master of Social Work.
Mr. Budnick has been an adjunct instructor with the North Carolina State University Department of Social Work since 2002. Mr. Budnick has conducted training and presentations nationally and internationally. Some of his most rewarding work has been collaborating with Mr. William White and Mr. Boyd Pickard on the history of mutual aid recovery fellowships.
Maggie Kane, first and foremost, has a passion for loving people. Full-on hype queen, she is a speaker, entrepreneur, and Executive Director with a special focus on nonprofits and small, killer coffee shops.
She is a proud member of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance Board, Band Together Advisory Board, Wake Monarch Academy Advisory Board, and Feed the Pack Food Pantry Advisory Board at NCSU.
She lives in Raleigh, loves jumping rope, and eats a lot of peanut butter. She loves hiking in the mountains and hour-long tattoo appointments. You’ll find her watching movies at the theaters in those big comfy chairs, skydiving, or breaking away for a quick 2-day weekend trip.
Tripp Johnson is a leader who is passionate about entrepreneurship and living an examined life. He is the owner of Green Hill Recovery, and is the founder and CEO of AIM: Advaita Integrated Medicine. Both companies are values-based, purpose-driven healthcare organizations based out of Raleigh, NC.
After graduation, he was commissioned as an infantry officer and completed U.S. Army Ranger School, Airborne School, and Air Assault School. He deployed once to southern Afghanistan as an infantry platoon leader.
In addition to his work at Green Hill, Mr. Johnson enjoys consulting with entrepreneurs and business leaders to turn their passions into viable, values-based, and purpose-driven enterprises. His main areas of expertise are strategic planning, culture building, and change management.
Twanna Joyner Jones has dedicated her life to serving others through more than 25 years of advancing the missions of social impact organizations. She has an extensive background in leadership development, being a motivational speaker, fundraising, and building strategic partnerships.
Previously, Jones was the Director of Resource Development for the American Red Cross. Her core focus was Emergency Services. While there she also directed the fundraising efforts for the Kerr-Tar region. Twanna has a long, stellar history in the nonprofit sector and a strong knowledge of poverty, hunger, and homelessness's effects on families.
Liz found her calling in building multi-platform community outreach programs that include paid, earned, and owned marketing efforts when she joined Capitol Broadcasting Company 15 years ago. Two notable outreach initiatives that Liz has spearheaded include eNOugh, a domestic violence awareness campaign meant to connect victims of domestic violence to resources across the state, and Project NO REST.
Liz graduated from East Carolina University in 2007 and now lives in Wake Forest, NC with her husband Dennis, and two children, Henry and Molly.
Attorney Jon Powell is a law professor at Campbell University in Raleigh, NC, and serves as the director of the Restorative Justice Clinic.
Mr. Powell received his law degree from Campbell University in 1998. Prior to attending law school, Jon worked for Carolina Power and Light Company, during which time he received his B.A. in Communication from North Carolina State University.
Dr. Scott Ralls became the fourth president of Wake Technical Community College on April 11, 2019. Before coming to Wake Tech, he served as president of Northern Virginia Community College from 2015-2019, president of the NC Community College System from 2008-2015, and president of Craven Community College in New Bern from 2002-2008.
He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Distinguished Public Service Award from the North Carolina Chamber, and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor.
Rick Shrum, MBA, MHA Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, WakeMed. Rick Shrum, Sr., is a member of WakeMed’s executive leadership, serving as Chief Strategy Officer. In this role, Rick is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and executing market opportunities and strategic initiatives to help WakeMed achieve its mission and aspirational goals. He also has operational responsibility for all Behavioral Health Services, WakeMed Innovations, and Corporate Planning divisions.
Rick Shrum has over 25 years of leadership experience in acute and behavioral health care. Before coming to WakeMed, he was the chief operating officer of Diamond Healthcare Corporation in Richmond, Va. Rick holds master’s degrees in Health Administration and Business Administration from Xavier University.
For over two decades, Will has served successful individuals, businesses, and charities. His practice specializes in Estate Planning, Investment Management, Tax Strategy, and Charitable Plan Design.
He leads a group of over a dozen advisors at Capitol Financial Solutions and is responsible for the firm’s development training program. He is a proud graduate of Hampden-Sydney College. He has executive education certificates from Duke University (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional) and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business (CERTIFIED PRIVATE WEALTH ADVISOR practitioner).
He is the Investment Committee Chairman for the Wake Tech Community College Foundation. Will lives in the Five Points area of Raleigh with his wife, Summer, their two sons, Jack and Ben, and boxer, Caddy. When not being a husband, Dad, business owner, or volunteer, he spends his time on the golf course at Raleigh Country Club or in Southern Pines, NC.
Wendi M. Watson is the Executive Director and Founder of Empowered Citizens, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Zebulon, North Carolina. Wendi founded the organization in 2015 while pursuing her undergraduate degree at North Carolina Central University.
Wendi graduated with honors from the BSW and MSW program at North Carolina Central University, where she is now a full-time Clinical Lecturer in the Social Work department. Wendi is the Advisor for the NCCU Nu Gamma Phi Alpha Honor Society. She is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSW-A). Wendi is currently a candidate for the Ph.D. program at Walden University, with an expected graduation date of 2024.
Wendi’s passion and commitment to working with youth who struggle with substance use and mental health is motivated by her own personal life experiences. Wendi was born in Columbia, SC and later moved to Atlanta, GA where she spent most of her adult life. Wendi relocated to North Carolina in 2005 where she then decided to pursue her purpose to use her experience to help others. Wendi is the mother of one biological son age 25 and two step children 15 and 17. Wendi is happily married and both she and her husband Jeffery Watson reside in Zebulon, NC.
Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler has worked in the field of education for over 20 years where she began her career as a teacher in 1999 at Southeast Raleigh High School.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, MEd in curriculum and instruction, and a Master of Arts in professional counseling. Ms. Wheeler is also a registered yoga teacher, a certified prevention specialist, and a licensed clinical mental health counseling associate. She frequently facilitates workshops on stress management and mental health promotion and has been a youth mental health first aid trainer since 2015. She is particularly passionate about helping children and adolescents develop coping and stress management skills.
