Donna leads both the Chapel Hill and Durham geographies, working with staff, Advocates, Members, and the Board of Directors. She stewards organizational vision and growth for all of CEF. Donna supports both offices in developing partnerships to secure housing justice and financial security for all Members. Donna’s passions are music, Jeopardy, Mahjong, and cooking shows.

Jessica is the Member Services and Programs Manager (MSPM) at CEF. In her role she supports program staff, guides program strategy, and manages reporting for Member Services and Advocate Programs for the Durham and Chapel Hill offices. Prior to joining CEF, Jessica was a coordinator and advocate with Compass Center, and began her career as a community research analyst at Forsyth Futures. Jessica is passionate about community, qualitative research and storytelling, mental health advocacy, access to quality and affordable housing, and racial justice. She believes in working collaboratively with the community to build thriving communities. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys cooking, dancing, hiking, reading, and yoga.

Emily is the Member Assistance Funds Manager at CEF. Prior to this role, Emily worked in nonprofit operations at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and Arabella Advisors and served as an Advocate in CEF’s Durham Office. 

Emily began her career with the Carolina College Advising Corps; a college access program committed to increasing the number of first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented high school students entering and completing higher education. A product of the public education system herself, she is a two-time graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, most recently earning a Master of Social Work in 2020. 

Emily is passionate about social justice and spreadsheets and feels most whole when she is in relationship with her community. In her free time, Emily enjoys getting outside, eating delicious vegetarian food, and doting on her rescued racing greyhound, Ginny.

Hannah works as the Office and Community Organizer at CEF in the Durham office. While attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Hannah found her love for relationship-based service programs as well as her passion for working within the community to achieve goals on both the individual and community levels. She is passionate about walking alongside others as they find their own strength and develop confidence in themselves. From her own life experiences, she has come to know that every human is creative, resourceful, and whole. Outside of work, you can usually find Hannah with animals. She enjoys spending time with her pets, learning about species conservation, and connecting with the world around her.

Sophia is the Member Services Coordinator in CEF’s Durham office. In her role, Sophia works alongside Members, community partners, Advocates, and other staff to develop and implement the best resources for Members. Prior to joining CEF, Sophia grew her skills through case management, resource navigation, youth development, and food justice initiatives. Sophia strongly enjoys building community and relationships with those around her. She believes that collective action is at the center of our work. Outside of work, Sophia spends time with her partner, cats, friends, and family through food, exploring outside, and playing ultimate frisbee.