NORTH CAROLINA FOUNDATIONAL CAPABILITIES
Our Partners
NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH
The North Carolina Division of Public Health (NC DPH) works to safeguard and improve the health of all residents. In partnership with local health departments and a network of state, federal, and community organizations, NC DPH delivers programs and services that impact daily life across the state, promoting healthier communities where people live, work, learn, and play.
NORTH CAROLINA INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AT UNC CHAPEL HILL
The North Carolina Institute for Public Health (NCIPH) at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health connects research, education, and practice to support public health across the state. NCIPH develops systems, programs, and policies that strengthen public health practice and workforce capacity at the local, state, and national levels.
NC Foundational Capabilities Task Force
The North Carolina Foundational Capabilities (NCFC) Task Force was established in January 2024 to ensure statewide investments lead to meaningful governmental public health system improvements which better serve local communities.
The NCFC Task Force is working to:
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Strategically address gaps identified in NCFC assessments
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Guide NC DPH investments in public health infrastructure to improve Foundational Capabilities
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Support implementation of strategies, provide ongoing feedback on process and outcomes
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Serve as an information hub and coordinating body for related statewide and regional work
The Task Force is convened and hosted by NCIPH and chaired by the NC DPH Workforce Director. Members are appointed by the chair, including:
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Two regional leads from each of the ten NC regions (one representative health director and one regional workforce development director)
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Members from NC DPH (selected from the Division Directors Office and Local and Community Support to bridge statewide strategy and LHD connections)
Upcoming Task Force Retreats
Foundational Capabilities Task Force Retreat - Virtual
November 16, 2026
10:00AM - 4:00PM
TASK FORCE MEMBERS
North Carolina Division of Public Health
Will Broughton
Director, Public Health Evaluation and Quality Improvement
Mark Cervero
Program Director for Opportunity​
​
Parris Drakeford
Program Manager I, LHD Liaison​
​
Ryan Jury
Assistant Division Director
of Operational Excellence​
Marina Pieretti
Director, Public Health
Workforce Development​
Stacie Turpin Saunders
Deputy Director / Section Chief, Local and Community Support
Chelsea Shannon
LHD QI Coordinator​​​​​
​
Trinette Slaughter
Administrative Specialist of Public Health Workforce Development
Nicole Szuba
Project Manager​​​
​
Doug Urland
LHD Operations Liaison​​​
​
Clarissa Felima
PHIG Evaluator
​​​
Regional Leads & Health Directors
Sarah Richey
REGION 1
Public Health Workforce Development Director
Elaine Russell
REGION 1
Transylvania County
Health Director
Robert W. Davis
REGION 2
Public Health Workforce Development Director
Ellis Matheson
REGION 2
Buncombe County
Health Department
Samantha Contos
REGION 3
Public Health Workforce Development Director
Jennifer Greene
REGION 3
Appalachian District Health Department Health Director
Erin Shoe
REGION 4
Cabarrus Health Alliance Health Director & CEO
Jordan Karas
REGION 4
Cabarrus Health Workforce Program Manager
Erica Thomas
REGION 5
Public Health Workforce Development Director
Tony LoGiudice
REGION 5
Alamance County
Health Director
Rod Jenkins
REGION 5
Durham County
Health Director​
Amichia Gainey Jones
REGION 6
Public Health Workforce Development Director
Jennifer Green
REGION 6
Cumberland County
Health Director
Rochelle Whitaker
REGION 7
Wake County Public Health Workforce Director
Jesus Peralta
REGION 7
Public Health Workforce Development Director
Cinnamon Narron
REGION 7
Wilson County
Health Department
Amber Rosier
REGION 8
Workforce Development Health Educator
Stephanie Cannon
REGION 8
Onslow County Health Department Asst. Director
Ikisha Mullen
REGION 9
Regional Workforce Director and NENCPPH Coordinator
Ashley Stoop
REGION 9
Albemarle Regional Health Services Health Director
Kirsten Beasley
REGION 10
Foundational Capabilities Coordinator
Wes Gray
REGION 10
Pitt County Health Director
​
North Carolina Institute for Public Health
Amy Joy Lanou
Director
Eliza Allen
Operations Director
​
Emily Benson
Data Associate
​
Margaret Benson Nemitz
Strategic Approaches
Coordinator
Rose Byrnes
Project Lead
​
Katie Cooper
Learning Experience
Developer​
Breyana Davis
Senior Manager,
Workforce Development
Jenni Detwiler
Research Program
Manager​
Laura Florick
Senior Clinical
Research Coordinator
Lauren Jones
Community Data
Coordinator​
Alexa Katon
Pathways Program Lead
​
Meghan Lassiter
Continuing Education
Specialist​​​
Ames Lynch
Advanced Research
Assistant​
Steve Orton
Senior Fellow
​
Lori Rhew
Senior Training Associate
​
Martha Anne Sperandio
Community Engagement
Project Manager
Rhiannon Williams
Practice Assistant​​
​
Hannah Woggon
Workforce Development
Program Specialist
