Advisory Board

Learn about the advisory board members who support our Social Work Mission and our School.

Natalie Ames, MSW, Ed.D.

Associate Professor and Faculty Liaison at the NC State School of Social Work.

Valerie Arendt, MSW, MPP

Executive Director, Society for Social Work and Research. Board member since 2018.

Mary Bethel, M.Ed.

Executive Director of the NC Coalition on Aging (Retired). Board member since 2015.

Karen Franklin, LCSW, CEAP

Assistant Director, EY. Board member since 2018.

Kenisha Hinton, MSW

I/T Project Manager, Innovation Partner – Wake County Government. Chairperson, board member since 2017.

Christina McCoy, MSW, JD

Attorney Advocate, Guardian Ad Litem Program, Judicial District 10. Board member since 2018.

Stephanie Francis, MSW, PhD

Director of Field Education at the NC State School of Social Work

Tayler Mariner, MSW, LCSW-A, LCAS

Director of Detox Services at Healing Transitions. Board member since 2020.

Bree Elzy, BSBM, LPN

Executive Director, Inspiring Minds Raleigh-Durham
Board member since 2023.

Heather Palmateer, MSW

Lead Crisis Counselor, C.A.R.E Team, Chapel Hill Police Department Crisis Division. Board member since 2025.

Ann Marie Hoo, LCSW, LCAS-A

Mental Health Licensed Clinician, WakeMed Health & Hospital. Board member since 2025.

Lisa Sellers, MSW, LCSW

Child Welfare Quality Assurance Case Consultant, Wake County Social Services. Board member since 2025.

Karsyn Forehand, LCSW-A, LCASA

Psychotherapist, Third Wave Psychotherapy. Board member since 2026.

Interested in Becoming a Student Representative?

Contact Dr. Natalie Ames at natalie_ames@ncsu.edu.

Email Natalie