Our Staff
Deborah joined Action for Children as President and CEO in June 2012. A respected nonprofit leader with more than 28 years of service, she served in progressively advancing positions at the American Lung Association in North Carolina, culminating in the top executive position in the state. Additionally, Deborah served as as the Regional Vice President of Advocacy and Donor Value, working to educate legislators and improve health outcomes.
Prior to joining Action for Children, Deborah collaborated with the N.C. Alliance for Health, the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and the N.C. Division of Public Health to promote legislation that established the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund, decreased teen smoking and reduced teens' access to tobacco products in North Carolina.
A native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Deborah holds a bachelor's degree in education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master's degree in education administration and supervision from East Carolina University and a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University.
Deborah can be reached at 919-834-6623 x224 or at deborah@ncchild.org.
Laila joined Action for Children in July 2010. She collects and analyzes data, maintains the online KIDS COUNT DATA CENTER, authors publications and provides technical assistance to data users statewide.
A native of South Carolina, Laila holds a master's degree in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. She was a Barbara Jordan Scholar in 2007 and received outstanding undergraduate research distinction at Winthrop University, where her majors were political science and psychology. She has previously worked on Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT publications and data while working with the Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT partner in Texas, The Center for Public Policy Priorities. She has also worked at the Texas Council on Family Violence.
Laila can be reached at 919.834.6623 extension 225 laila@ncchild.org.
Brandy joined Action for Children North Carolina in June 2002. She conducts research and analysis of public policy issues on a variety of topics, with a primary focus on juvenile justice and delinquency prevention. She is also responsible for building and mobilizing local support in key areas across the state to raise awareness about issues affecting children.
Prior to joining Action for Children, she worked in the public policy arena for various nonprofits, including the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits where she assisted in the production of a bimonthly newsletter and monitored sources related to public policy issues for the nonprofit sector. She also worked at the Mental Health Association of Greensboro where she planned and organized discussions and actions on mental health reform.
Brandy graduated cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, receiving a BA in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She completed her master's degree in public administration (MPA) from North Carolina State University, with a concentration in mental health policy.
Brandy can be reached at (919) 834-6623 x234 or at brandy@ncchild.org.
Randi joined Action for Children North Carolina as Assistant to the President in 2000. She now serves as the Office Manager and directs administrative matters for Action for Children, maintaining records and files, and oversees property and equipment maintenance, repairs and improvements. She seeks bids and contracts with vendors in addition to assisting the CFO with contract reports, financials, annual audits, human resources, serving as a liaison to the Board of Directors and maintaining internal controls.
Randi enjoys figure skating and traveling. She has a varied background--from being the first female Launch Controller in the United States at the Poker Flat Research Range of the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks to founding two nonprofit figure skating clubs, producing national level figure skaters and served as a United States Figures Skating Association Judge for ten years.
Randi can be reached at (919) 834-6623 x229 or at randi@ncchild.org.