The Jordan Institute Fellowship for Social Work Leaders

Andrea Clark is the NC Family Resource Center (FRC) Network Manager and part of the Capacity Building Team at Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina (PCANC). PCANC is the North Carolina Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and represents the state in the National Family Support Network. 

In her role, Andrea is responsible for coordinating the North Carolina FRC Network, which is positively impacting individuals, families, communities, and systems across the state. 

Andrea earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 20 years of experience in social work, program development, family advocacy, and community engagement. 

She is passionate about building resilience with communities, families, and individuals — including in her own life with her husband, their Princess Warrior, six Young Gentle Men, a new daughter-in-love, and several beloved bonus family members. 

Andrew Heil is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, and Certified Clinical Supervisor with a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

He has experience in community mental health social work, outpatient psychotherapy, and integrated behavioral health with specific training and interest in psychosis, trauma, and addiction. He is currently Director of Behavioral Health at Avance Care, a healthcare organization offering comprehensive primary care across North Carolina.   

With 10+ years of experience as frontline staff, clinical supervisor, and organizational leader, he strives to use person-centered values in his work with clients, helping professionals, and interdisciplinary teams to cultivate meaningful growth and wellbeing.  

A North Carolina native, Andrew lives in Durham with his wife, daughter, and mother-in-law. He enjoys reading, cooking, hiking, comic books, and table-top gaming.  

Annanora Short, MSW, LCSW has been a healthcare social worker for over 20 years.  She is currently employed as a Division Lead Social Worker for Davita, a kidney disease healthcare company caring for more than 200,000 patients across the county.  Annanora has been the recipient of a Service Excellence Core Value Award at Davita, as well as the IPRO ESRD Quality Award for Continuous Quality Improvement for her efforts to advance access to kidney transplant for patients.  She completed a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a concentration in Social Welfare at Winston-Salem State University (‘99) and obtained her Master of Social Work degree from UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work (‘01).   Annanora participated in the 2024 cohort of the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation’s Diverse Healthcare Leadership Mentorship program.

Annanora has volunteered as a Mentor with her local school system and with the Family Crisis Council in her community, as a Victim Advocate for their Hospital Accompaniment Team. She is passionate about issues of health equity, especially in the field of maternal and child health, and is a trained childbirth doula. 

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and currently serve as the Manager for Behavioral Health Case Management for Acute Care Services at Duke University Health System. With over 13 years of professional experience, I have worked in a variety of settings including healthcare systems, community mental health, state-operated facilities, and the departments of social services. 

My professional background includes case management, crisis stabilization, individual therapy, and program development. I am passionate about advocating for and providing culturally competent care to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals and families. My commitment to equitable care was shaped by my years working in rural North Carolina, where I learned the importance of meeting people where they are and ensuring access to quality behavioral health services. 

In addition to my leadership role at Duke, I have served as a Field Instructor for several schools of social work, helping to mentor and guide students as they prepare to enter the profession.  

Outside of my professional work, I am passionate about public service and civic engagement. I proudly serve as an Election Assistant for Durham County, contributing to my community and supporting the democratic process. 

Dayna L. Farrington, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, serves as the Central Regional Director of Mobile Crisis Services with Integrated Family Services, PLLC, in Eastern North Carolina. With over a decade of experience in behavioral health, she specializes in crisis intervention, substance use treatment, and workforce development. Dayna is passionate about equipping clinicians to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care in rural and underserved communities. She leads initiatives that strengthen staff training, community partnerships, and leadership development to enhance the behavioral health continuum of care across the region. A proud graduate of East Carolina University’s Master of Social Work program, Dayna also provides clinical supervision in both mental health and substance use disciplines, emphasizing the importance of self-care and professional wellness among helping professionals. 

Ebony Ross has worked in social work for 18 years and continues to find joy and purpose in serving children, youth, and families. She currently serves as the McKinney-Vento  Coordinator for Durham Public Schools, supporting McKinney-Vento students and partnering with schools, agencies, and the community to ensure that students experiencing homelessness have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Ebony earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Benedict College and her Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. 

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and husband, traveling, taking naps, and binge-watching A Different World on Netflix, activities that help her recharge and stay inspired in her work. 

My name is Jackie Love, and I am honored to be selected to join the Jordan Institute Fellowship for Social Work Leaders. I currently serve as a Mental Health Specialist with Chapel Hill–Carrboro City Schools, where I lead mental health initiatives and support students, families, and staff across three schools. My professional focus includes mental health, trauma-informed care, and family engagement. Throughout my career, I have held diverse social work and leadership roles in schools, hospitals, and community settings. I earned my Bachelor of Social Work from North Carolina Central University and a Master of Social Work from UNC–Chapel Hill. Outside of work, I enjoy bowling and exploring new adventures with family and friends. I have two amazing children, Jessica and Jeremy, a wonderful son-in-law, Rodney, and an energetic granddog, Leah. I am excited about this leadership journey and the opportunity to grow alongside my cohort. 

My work spans mental health assessment, holistic treatment planning, and quality improvement. I’m skilled at synthesizing clinical data, leading interdisciplinary collaboration, and creating emotionally safe environments that foster trust and growth. I believe in honoring both evidence-based practice and client preferences. 

Currently, I work in healthcare and mental health, where I spend most of my time helping teams make sense of complex systems and turn them into something that actually works for people.  

I recently completed my MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration to deepen my strategic toolkit as a LCSW and bridge the gaps I often see between clinical insight and organizational decision-making. That experience sharpened my ability to align systems with the real needs of patients, providers, and communities and reinforced my belief that innovation and empathy belong in the same room. 

I am looking forward to connecting, collaboration, and building systems that honor both dignity and impact. 

Hi, I’m Jodi Pardue, a Social Worker who strives to blend my personal and professional experience with a passion for people to connect with patients and families, colleagues, and partnering organizations and help facilitate family centered care at Brenner Children’s Hospital. As the Director of the Children’s Cancer Support Program, I have the honor of supporting families navigating the challenges of childhood cancer by providing wrap-around services, programs and mental health support. I am also a trained provider for Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Stepping Stones, and facilitate regular parenting seminars and groups for families who have children with special needs. 

I have a BS in Psychology/Child Development from Liberty University and an MSW from UNC Chapel Hill. I might add that my lived experience as a mom of 6 has also helped shape me for the work I do! In the spirit of growth, connection and collaboration, I am always looking for ways to engage all stakeholders at the table, support some of our most vulnerable populations with added protective factors, and advocate for positive systems changes. 

Kathy B. Nurse is a social work supervisor in Child Welfare with almost 20 years of experience in Child Protective In-Home Services. She obtained her Masters of Social Work from East Carolina University. Currently, she serves on the Onslow County Schools Attendance Mediation Policy Council and is an alternate for Onslow County Head Start Policy Council.  

Kiana A. Brown, MSW is driven by advocacy, community development, and building connections that create lasting impact. She has led efforts in both Philadelphia and Virginia, with a career spanning public service, philanthropy, and nonprofit leadership. In Philadelphia, Kiana managed multimillion-dollar grant programs focused on reducing gun violence, served as Chief of Staff for the 9th Council District, and directed education and workforce initiatives at the People Helping People Foundation, including programs in both the U.S. and Kenya. In Virginia, she has continued her advocacy through development and fundraising, expanding her reach to new communities. 

Kiana currently serves as Development Manager at the ALS Association, where she organizes large-scale fundraising events, cultivates corporate and community partnerships, and supports advocacy, research, and care services for people living with ALS. Throughout her career, she has been especially passionate about mentoring fellows, interns, and students, helping the next generation of leaders discover their own voice and path. 

Originally from Pennsylvania, Kiana now lives in downtown Raleigh with her fiancé and their Boston terrier, Luna. She is excited to connect with fellow changemakers, share ideas, and continue exploring creative ways to combine leadership, advocacy, and community impact. 

Kristin Wilson has dedicated her career to supporting children, families, and communities through clinical practice, program leadership, and cross-sector collaboration. Most recently, she served as Assistant Director of UPLIFT Chatham, where she built community partnerships and assisted with the design and launch of an integrated service delivery model. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Chatham Health Alliance, helping guide strategic priorities and local initiatives that strengthen social determinants of health. 

Earlier in her career, Kristin directed a children’s program focused on social-emotional learning and family engagement, provided clinical therapy to children and families, and worked as an adoption social worker. 

She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Outside of work, Kristin enjoys time with family and friends, fostering rescue dogs, and cheering at her teens’ sporting events. 

Lauren Ballard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Community Based Family Services Program Director at Coastal Horizons Center. Based in Wilmington, NC, Lauren oversees a team of around 70 staff and supervisors, providing program leadership, clinical supervision, and strategic guidance to strengthen services for children, adolescents, and families. 

Lauren began her career in child and family services after earning a BS in Family and Community Services from East Carolina University, later completing her MSW at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. With over 15 years in residential and community-based settings, she has advanced through her roles working directly with clients through multiple supervisory positions.  She has gained extensive experience in building and sustaining community-based programs. 

As a leader, Lauren emphasizes trauma-informed supervision, transparency, and connection, guiding her teams in creating a culture of collaboration and resilience. She has a strong interest in workplace culture, and she has worked closely with supervisors and staff to create an environment rooted in collegial relationships and accountability. 

Through the Jordan Institute Fellowship, Lauren looks forward to expanding her skills in crucial conversations and strengthening teams. Additionally, she hopes to develop strategies to address pressing challenges facing social work leaders, including workforce retention, burnout, and funding limitations. 

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 22 years of experience in a variety of settings including therapeutic foster care, the hospital setting, a mental health agency, and schools. I completed my Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and my Master of Social Work from University of Maryland.  In June 2020, I achieved my Clinical Supervision Certification from the North Carolina chapter of NASW.  My passion lies in supporting children and families through life’s challenges and empowering them to achieve their treatment goals. Specializing in individual and family therapy utilizing CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care with a strengths-based perspective, I am a dedicated professional who completes excellent timely documentation and provides leadership and supervision within my agency. I am committed to providing empathy, authenticity, and compassion to my clients and supervisees. 

Lesley Funk is a seasoned Social Work leader with over fifteen years of experience in program development. Her work focuses on empowering individuals and families in her community through a person–centered and solution–focused approach. Her most recent achievements include the “ground up” development and implementation of evidence informed programming at North Raleigh Ministries, where she holds the role of Director of Programs. In addition, Lesley is the Chair of the Wake County, Departure Regional Center, Community Advocacy Committee. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from North Carolina State University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Outside of her professional endeavors, Lesley enjoys camping and hiking with her family. 

Lunday Talley Watkins is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience in mental health, crisis intervention, and medical case management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Winston-Salem State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is licensed to practice in North Carolina and Minnesota. 

As Clinical Team Lead, Lunday provides expert care for high-acuity patients while shaping crisis response strategies and supporting departmental leadership. Her clinical background spans inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings. She is a dedicated advocate for intimate partner violence intervention, leading offender groups and serving on the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team to inform policy and prevention efforts. 

In addition to direct practice, Lunday serves as a clinical supervisor and adjunct professor, educating MSW students in trauma-informed care and anti-oppressive frameworks. As the Founder of Growth In Motion, LLC, she fosters personal and professional development through coaching, mentorship, and education, empowering others to lead with authenticity and purpose. 

Lunday is known for creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and prioritized. She values intentional relationships, legacy work, and building environments that promote reflection, resilience, and meaningful change. 

I am a bilingual (English/Spanish), Afro-Latina Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience as a psychotherapist. Born in Panama, I bring a rich multicultural perspective to my work. I hold a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and have built a career marked by significant leadership experience, including leading a team of clinical social workers and serving as a Team Lead at Lincoln Community Health Center. 

I am deeply committed to mentorship and have supervised numerous social work interns and clinical associates throughout my career. My experience is extensive in integrated healthcare settings and crisis intervention, where I provide evidence-based care for individuals and families navigating trauma, anxiety, and complex mental health challenges. My approach is informed by specialized training in trauma therapies like Accelerated Resolution Therapy and Gestalt therapy, internal family systems, CBT, and ACT, and is always focused on fostering resilience and empowerment. 

I believe that healing and growth happen both inside and outside the therapy room. Outside of my professional life, I find joy and renewal in my garden, where I grow squash, cucumbers, and potatoes. As a mother to an adult son and the loving owner of my dog, Celo, I strive to bring the same nurturing spirit to my personal life that defines my clinical practice. 

Mary Kathryn Elkins, MSW, LCSW, is the Director of Healing Services at Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center, where she coordinates internal program evaluations, Federal, State and Local grant reporting, and provides supervision to three externally facing programs, including Education and Prevention, YES! Human Trafficking Prevention Program, and the CHAT Collaborative. Mary Kathryn also serves as the Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Senior Leader Faculty for the NC Child Treatment Program, which allows her to work with clinical agencies across the state on effectively implementing this evidence-based treatment. 

Prior to her work at Pat’s Place, Mary Kathryn supervised Outpatient and School-Based Mental Health Services at Thompson Child and Family Focus, where she started the Early Child Mental Health program. She also has years of experience as a therapist specializing in working with children ages 8 and under. She is mom to two teenage boys and spends all of her free time on the baseball field. 

Mary Grillo, MSW, LCSW is the Director of Social Work for the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. She oversees specialized aftercare planning and programs to enhance services for individuals who are incarcerated and living with mental illnesses, I/DD, and complex medical issues.  Ms. Grillo also coordinates the NC Department of Adult Correction’s Medicaid Expansion efforts for individuals releasing to the community and is active in the NC Joint Reentry Council that was established by North Carolina’s Reentry 2030 project. Prior to her current social work role, she provided social work services as well as individual and group therapy in a variety of settings in addition to prisons.  The settings have included the forensic units at a state psychiatric hospital, jails, homeless shelters, and a community treatment team with the UNC School of Medicine providing treatment for people living with schizophrenia. 

Vollney Boney is an accomplished Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in the field of Social Work, while holding her certification as a Certified Case Manager. She has been employed with the Onslow County Health Department for 19.5 years, while serving in her current role as the Care Management for At Risk Children (CMARC) Supervisor for 11 years. Vollney obtained her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She has dedicated nearly two decades to improving the lives of individuals and families through compassion support, advocacy, and strategic coordination.  

Throughout her career, Vollney has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting client well-being and bridging gaps to improve the overall health and wellness of children and families. She manages a successful team and program who consistently rank among the highest in the state. During her programs 2025 annual assessment, the state consultant praised Vollney and her supervisor for their exceptional leadership. She stated, “If I could clone your team I would do it in a minute.” Vollney is a friendly, compassionate, and open-minded individual who consistently embraces new opportunities to foster both personal and professional growth.