Meet the Staff

Carla Brown Ndiaye describes herself as an explorer who gains satisfaction from helping people who are living through challenging times. Carla has spent 25 years working in International Development, in senior leadership positions. She has over 17 years working as a Country Director in West Africa, where she oversaw the operation and implementation of education and youth, microfinance, health, housing, and humanitarian programs. She also oversaw a homeless prevention program in New York City. Carla has Master's Degrees in Public Health and International Affairs from Columbia University and she is bilingual.

Tyeson Douglas, a thirty-six year old New York Native, who in his youth was heavily active in gangs, now has dedicated his life to his faith. A father of three children, Tyeson understands the importance of at-risk youth topics and seeks resolutions that will impact the community of Winston Salem for the better. As well, Tyeson is a community organizer with the greater Cleveland Congregations and an author of a published book "The Weeping Volcano", which discusses his days as a misguided gang member and conversion into a man of faith. An advocate for criminal & social justice reform, Tyeson seeks to engage impoverished communities one community at a time.

 Deborah Best is the William L. Poteat Professor Emerita and Research Professor of Psychology at Wake Forest University, USA. She previously served as Chair of the Psychology Department and was the first woman to serve as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She received her doctorate in cognitive developmental psychology from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She is the author of many books and professional journal articles addressing children’s and adolescents’ cognitive and social development around the world. Over the years, she has been involved with a number of local non-profit organizations that work to improve children’s lives and opportunities. 

  Sam is a tax professional at Avior Tax and Accounting in Clemmons, NC. He finds a sense of purpose in leveraging expertise to uplift folks in the community by helping them navigate the complex and sometimes overwhelming world of tax. While pursuing his Master of Accounting degree from UNC- Chapel Hill, Sam served as an AmeriCorps college adviser at an underserved North Carolina high school. In his spare time, Sam loves to cycle and scuba dive. 

 Mike is a corporate attorney at Kilpatrick, Townsend, Stockton LLP, an international and AM 100 law firm. Mike focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, corporate restructurings, capital raising, financing transactions and general corporate matters. Prior to joining KTS, Mike was Legal Counsel at the Supreme Court of North Carolina where he provided legal support to the Chief Justice in his role as head of the North Carolina Judicial Branch. Previously, Mike was a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Chief Justice Mark Martin in the Supreme Court of North Carolina. 

Lynn is a native of Forsyth County, NC. She has never lived anywhere else. She attended Forsyth Country Day School and Wake Forest University and WFU Law School. She is a member of the North Carolina State Bar. She concentrates her legal practice in the estate planning, estate administration and business succession planning fields. In addition to practicing law, she has worked in the financial services industry, providing planning services to clients.

Lynn is widowed with two children, ages 20 and 22. She enjoys hot yoga, reading, running, and hiking.

Rebecca Palmer, DO, MPH is an assistant professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine where she serves as a pediatric hospitalist and staff supervisor in the newborn nursery.  As an academic pediatrician, she is engaged in both clinical care and educational efforts for medical students and residents.  She is passionate about pediatric injury prevention and completed her certification to become a Certified Car Passenger Technician.  She engages in research and community engagement surrounding safe firearm storage, most recently serving on the Advisory Board for the NC Office of Violence Prevention.