Our Board of Directors
Clay Harris, Chair
Clay Harris helped start WorkSmart, a premier provider of information technology services and solutions in North Carolina, upon graduating from UNC Chapel Hill in 2001. As WorkSmart’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Clay oversees all technical and service aspects of WorkSmart’s daily operations. Clay joined the AAD board in March, 2007.
Abby Parcell, Secretary
As Program Manager for MDC, Inc., Abby Parcell is responsible for analysis of data gleaned from the Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count initiative. She is identifying challenges, successes, and lessons learned and making recommendations for future actions to further refine the program. Abby has a degree in English from Brigham Young University and a Masters of Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill. She has extensive experience as a program evaluator and research analyst within local and state government and in the nonprofit sector. Ms. Parcell also has several years experience as an instructor and coordinator for GED programs in North Carolina and New York. Abby joined the AAD Board in 2009.
Jennifer McGovern, Treasurer
Jennifer McGovern has degrees from Duke University and NCCU. After serving in the campus ministry at NCCU, she worked for the local political group Durham People’s Alliance. In that position, she gained experience in organization building, fundraising and lobbying. Upon becoming certified to teach, she began tutoring at-risk students in the Fast Track Project at Duke, and taught reading to struggling GED students in the Durham Public Schools GED program (which was discontinued). She continues to do private tutoring. As a founding board member in February 2005 Jennifer has served many roles at AAD including Chair of the Board and Board Secretary.
Kate Dickson, Member
Kate Dickson is an attorney and an Associate with Epting & Hackney Law Firm in Chapel Hill. Prior to joining her current firm Kate was an Associate with Hogan & Hartson in Washington D.C.. Before that she worked for the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. as a Research Associate in the Office of International Information Programs. Kate received a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a JD from the Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia. Kate joined the AAD board in December, 2010
Jane Wettach, Member
Jane is a Clinical Professor of Law at Duke University School of Law and the Director of the Children’s Law Clinic. She teaches Education Law as well as a seminar connected with the Children’s Law Clinic. She is involved in statewide efforts to reduce the “school-to-prison pipeline,” and find solutions to the excessive disciplinary removals of public school students from school. Professor Wettach obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from UNC Chapel Hill and worked as a journalist for several years. She ontained her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Prior to joining the Duke Law School faculty, she was a legal aid attorney. Jane has served on several other boards in the community prior to joining the AAD board in January, 2011.
Brian Anderson, Member
Brian Anderson is the Assistant Director of Human Resources for Duke University Hospital. Immediately prior to coming to Durham Brian was the Human Resources Director at Kaleida Health in Buffalo, New York. Brian has worked professionally in human resources as well as taught business adminstration courses at several colleges in the Northeast. Brian received a B.S. in International Relations from Canisuis College in Buffalo, New York. Brian holds a Masters in Business Adminstration from Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts and a JD from the Mississippi College School of Law with a concentration in employment law. Brian joined the AAD Board in June 2011.
Sam Rauschenberg, Member
Sam Rauschenberg is a candidate for a Master’s of Public Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University with a concentration in Social Policy. Prior to coming to Durham Sam taught math at Clark Senior High School in New Orleans, LA. Sam came to the Achievement Academy Board through the Sanford Board Leadership Program and joined the AAD Board as a regular member in December, 2011.
Stephanie Barnes-Simms, Member
Stephanie Barnes-Simms is Executive Vice President for Human Resources and Administration at Self-Help where she is responsible for human resources, recruitment, staff development and administrative services. Prior to joining Self-Help, Ms. Barnes-Simms served as Associate Director for Planning and Neighborhood Strategy at Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago. In her professional life Stephanie has worked as a community planner, served as a housing policy officer and managed grants for the NC Community Development Initiative. Stephanie has a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. Stephanie joined the AAD Board in October 2011.
Ellen H. Bacon, Member
Ellen Bacon, just retired as the Chair of the Department of Special Education at North Carolina Central University, was a Professor of Special Education. Prior to coming to NCCU Ellen taught at Western Carolina University, was a child therapist in Asheville, NC and the Education Coordinator at Duke University Medical Center. Ellen received her B. A in psychology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, her M.A. in Behavior Disorders from Teachers College Columbia University, New York and her PhD in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Shortly after she received her B.A. Ellen was a Special Education Consultant Peach Corps Volunteer in Seoul, Korea. Ellen joined the AAD Board in December 2011.
Maya Escueta, Ex-Officio Member
Maya Escueta is a candidate for a Master’s of Public Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University with a concentration in International Development. Maya comes to the AAD Board through the Sanford Board Leadership Program. Maya worked for America Reads in New York City. She has worked extensively as a tutor and has experience as a fundraiser. Maya is also a professional dancer. Maya received a B.A. in English and Philosophy from Columbia University in New York. She did post baccalaurate studies in Economics at Columbia University prior to coming to the Sanford School of Public Policy. Maya joined the AAD Board as an ex-officio member in January 2012.
You may send inquiries to our board through our Board Chair, Clay Harris, charris@achievedurham.org.
