BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025-2026
Our Board of Directors represents a cross-section of our community and has a passion for our organization and those we serve. The members work hard to ensure long-term sustainability of the organization and oversee that the funds raised directly affect those in need.
Dr. Thomas Young, President
Anna Kaczmarek, Vice President
Kristen Votta, Secretary
Mark Appleby, Treasurer (ex officio)
Kelly Day
Cayt Kirkman
Wade Monroe
Joe Patterson
Diane Doak (ex officio)
STAFF
MS. DIANE E. DOAK - Executive Director | ddoak@ncbegin.org
Diane has been with BEGINNINGS since August 1998. Prior to serving as executive director, she was the director of programs and a parent educator serving the western region of North Carolina for 15 years. She was a member of the board of directors for Disability Rights & Resources from 1998 to 2014, serving as president, vice president and chair of programs and advocacy. She has a Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation from West Virginia University, and is a Therapeutic Recreational Specialist and a North Carolina Infant-Toddler Specialist. Prior to joining BEGINNINGS, she was a developmental disabilities senior counselor, providing early intervention services for families of children ages birth to 5 with developmental delays and diagnosed disabilities, including children with hearing loss. She has 10 additional years of combined experience as a recreational therapist and an early intervention teacher while employed in Texas. Diane and her husband, Doug, have 2 adult sons, one of whom is hard of hearing.
MS. KELLEIGH BLAND - Director of Programs, Bilingual Sign Language | kbland@ncbegin.org
Kelleigh joined BEGINNINGS in November 2014. Kelleigh spent 9 years teaching children who are deaf and hard of hearing, from ages 3 to 20, in Union County and Cabarrus County public schools, in both the classroom and as an itinerant teacher. She graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College in Hickory with degrees in Early Education and Deaf Education. Kelleigh and her husband, Steve, live in Charlotte.
MS. JOAN BURTON - Parent Educator | jburton@ncbegin.org
Joan joined BEGINNINGS in August 2018. She has a Bachelor's degree in Deaf Education and a Master's degree in Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In 2017, she earned an additional Master's degree of Science in Instructional Technology from East Carolina University. She has 17 years of teaching experience in Randolph County Schools. She taught children who are deaf or hard of hearing in a self-contained setting as well as on an itinerant basis. She served students from preschool through 10th Grade. In addition to teaching deaf and hard of hearing, she also taught 3rd and 4th grade for a few years as well as English as a Second or Other Language. She resides in Randolph County.
MR. EMILIO GONZALEZ - Parent Educator, Bilingual Spanish | egonzalez@ncbegin.org
Emilio joined BEGINNINGS in January 2025. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Education (K–3) in Puerto Rico, Emilio has dedicated his career to supporting young children and their families. His background as a teacher, case manager, and program director has deepened his passion for early childhood development, especially in underserved communities. He feels privileged to have the opportunity of working closely with families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, helping them navigate their journey with care, guidance, and compassion.
MS. LISA JOLLY- Parent Educator | ljolly@ncbegin.org
Lisa joined Beginnings in August 2024, bringing both professional expertise and personal experience to her role. Beginnings holds a special place in her heart, as her family received support from the organization when her child was diagnosed with hearing loss due to CMV. Before joining the North Carolina team, Lisa served as a Parent Educator with Beginnings in South Carolina for six years, where she provided education and support to families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children, focusing primarily on children from birth to age five. With a Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) in counseling from Winthrop University, Lisa combines her lived experience with professional counseling skills to empower families on their unique journeys. She enjoys partnering with professionals in Deaf Education to ensure children and their families receive the best possible support. Lisa and her family reside in the New River Valley, where she serves families in northwestern North Carolina.
MS. RHONDA JONES - Parent Educator, Bilingual ASL | rjones@ncbegin.org
Rhonda joined BEGINNINGS in July of 2024. She earned her B.A in Communications and Science disorders from the University of South Florida and her M.S. in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University. Prior to working with BEGINNINGS, she was the Deaf and Hard of Hearing counselor for Vocational Rehabilitation in Raleigh, NC for a few years. In addition, she has over 12 years of experience working as a senior academic advisor and admissions counselor in higher education. Rhonda brings a unique personal experience of being a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) since both of her parents are deaf.
MS. ERIN M. LUCAS - Parent Educator | elucas@ncbegin.org
Erin has been a Parent Educator with BEGINNINGS since June 1998. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Deaf Education and Regular Education from Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory. Prior to working with BEGINNINGS, Erin taught middle school students who were deaf and hard of hearing in a resource classroom and then served as an itinerant Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She has spent her career working with children and adults who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families as a teacher and volunteer.
MS. GHEYDIS PAREDES – Parent Educator, Bilingual Spanish | gparedes@ncbegin.org
Gheydis joined Beginnings in September of 2020. She has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Columbia College of Missouri. Gheydis has over 15 years of interpretation experience in the Medical Field and Social Services serving the Hispanic Community. She resides in Cabarrus County with her husband and son.
MS. WILMA G. RIVERA – Lead Parent Educator, Bilingual Spanish | wrivera@ncbegin.org
Wilma joined BEGINNINGS in October 2015 as a Hispanic Outreach Parent Educator. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Masters in Public Health from the University of Puerto Rico. She has over 20 years of community outreach experience with the Hispanic community. She is experienced and knowledgeable of underrepresented communities. She serves on the Latinx Support Group quarterly meetings and as captain for the annual Walk4Hearing fundraising event. She also volunteers for the local community in Orange County.
MS. MARY BETH SHOLAR – Program Administrator | mbsholar@ncbegin.org
Mary Beth joined BEGINNINGS in October 2019. She has several years of administrative work experience with the North Carolina Justice System, a private law firm, and other corporate businesses. She and her husband reside in Duplin County with their four children.
MS. DEBORAH STROUD – Business Manager | dstroud@ncbegin.org
Deborah joined BEGINNINGS in November 2012 after volunteering with the organization for several years. She lost her hearing as an adult and is a bilateral cochlear implant user and is very passionate about helping others with hearing loss. Deborah previously served on the NC Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, is the State Treasurer for the North Carolina chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and is an active member in the Wake Chapter of HLAA. She brings many years of experience both in corporate and non-profit organizations. Deborah, who lives in Raleigh, has two grown daughters and five grandchildren.
MS. KAREN THOMAS – Parent Educator, Bilingual Sign Language | kthomas@ncbegin.org
Karen joined BEGINNINGS in April 2017. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, an Associate’s degree in Deaf Studies/American Sign Language Interpreting, and earned a Graduate certificate in Child and Family Studies/Early Intervention from UNC Charlotte. Previously, Karen worked as an Early Intervention Service Coordinator with the Mecklenburg County CDSA for 9 years, where she worked primarily with families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Karen was an ASL Interpreter in Iredell-Statesville and Charlotte-Mecklenburg school districts. Karen resides in Mecklenburg County.
