Board of Directors
Samantha J. Carabell
Board Chair CFA
“I serve on the board of The Epiphany School to lend my business acumen to a group of people who are clearly passionate and dedicated in making sure that every child has the opportunity to succeed and flourish in life. The faculty, staff and volunteers of Epiphany have changed the lives of the children and families that they serve and have given these special kids a safe and nurturing environment in which to learn. If I can help the school to grow and prosper, more children will be able to benefit from this special place.”Samantha graduated from Ithaca College with a BS in Finance in 1993 and earned her Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1997. She lived and worked in Boston, MA before moving to Charlotte in 2002. While in Boston, she was an investment consultant specializing in endowment and foundations. After moving to Charlotte, she focused her attention on her family for several years. She then joined the family business as CFO, providing financial guidance and business expertise, as well as serving on its Board of Directors. Samantha and her husband, Chris, have two children and are active members of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Samantha volunteers her time at Providence Day School and joined The Epiphany School board in October 2013.
Laura Turner
Board Vice-Chair
“My family is living testimony of the impact our school is making in its students lives. My son came to Epiphany with intense anxiety and frustration about school that was spilling over into our home. Today, he thrives in Epiphany’s supportive environment that is specifically designed for his social, emotional and educational needs. Finally, he has meaningful peer friendships fostered by Epiphany’s daily ‘Friends and Feelings’ social emotional skills curriculum. Joey is reaching his full potential as he moves into adolescence with grace and confidence. Our family has also benefitted from the support of the close community of parents and staff who understand the everyday challenges and joyous moments that our children bring. I joined Epiphany’s Board of Directors because I am passionate about bringing my business experience and parent’s perspective to the Board as we guide this amazing school to continue to meet our children’s unique needs. It is my sincere hope that Epiphany becomes the beacon for children in Charlotte with Asperger’s and other social communications differences and their families as it has been for ours.”Laura Turner is a Director and Human Resources Business Partner for TIAA-CREF’s wealth management division where she is responsible for delivering the human capital objectives of the business including recruiting, leadership development, learning, compensation, benefits, diversity and inclusion, and employee relations. Prior to joining the firm in 2013, she was a Senior Vice President with Bank of America’s Consumer Bank Human Resources team Laura has over 20 years of human resources and financial services experience. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Communications and Business in 1995. Laura has lived in Charlotte for over 25 years with her husband Joe, a speech pathologist, and their children Joey, a student at Epiphany, and Elizabeth who attends Sharon Elementary. Laura joined the Epiphany Board in 2015.
Rob Johnson
Managing Principal, MBAJ Architecture
“Serving on the Board for the Epiphany School of Charlotte continues to be an amazing Epiphany itself for me. The complementary talents of the board members, coupled with the passion of the Head of our school and its teachers, is inspiring. Even more amazing and inspiring, is the unique brilliance of each student in search of the soft skills to flourish and take flight in their life.”Rob is a Wilmington, NC native and has a Bachelor degree in Architecture from UNC Charlotte and a Masters of Architecture degree from the University of Illinois. While at the U of I he was a teaching assistant in undergraduate architectural design which also provided him with a full scholarship. Upon graduation from the U of I, Rob received the highest recognition in architecture by being named a Ryerson Fellow. Rob worked with a large, distinguished architectural firm, TVS design, in Atlanta for most of the 1980s until he moved back to Charlotte in 1988. Upon returning to Charlotte he joined and became a Principal of MBAJ Architecture, a twenty five person firm, which is best known for the planning and design of educational, civic and community-use facilities. Rob is married to Susan Hoke Johnson. He is a lifelong golfer, avid runner for the last three decades, snow skier when and where there is snow to do so, and travel enthusiast
Mary B. Moore
MSW, LCSW, Co-Founder, Southeast Psych
“To inspire moments of hope, happiness, self-confidence, and sense of belonging among children who have been misunderstood. To build a school that thinks differently about education for children who think differently. To use my passion and expertise in social skills development, resiliency, and Asperger’s to help create a positive learning experience where skills of well-being are valued and taught, in addition to skills of academic achievement. These have been my guiding principles and reasons why I decided to help start The Epiphany School in the summer of 2008 and why I continue to serve on the board today. The strongest driving force, however, is the Epiphany community, or what I like to call “The Epiphany Dream Team” of families, teachers, staff, volunteers, board members, many supporters, and especially the students. I am honored and proud to be part of the Epiphany community who together make positive and meaningful differences that last a lifetime.”Mary B. is one of the Co-founders of The Epiphany School and a child therapist at Southeast Psych. Her passion and expertise is helping kids and parents develop the skills to experience success and be their best. Mary B. works with children ages 3-12 and specializes in Aspergers, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, grief/loss, separation/divorce, social-emotional and communication skills, and parenting. In addition to individual therapy and parent coaching, Mary B. provides social skills group therapy, aka “Mary B.’s Super Social Skills Groups and Camps”, Purposeful Parenting Group Classes, and a free monthly parent support group, “Parenting Your Aspie.” Using a strength-based, solution-focused and fun approach, Mary B. helps kids learn and develop a set of kid-friendly effective tools to better understand others, manage feelings, think flexibly, solve problems and make friends. In addition, she partners with parents and teachers providing strategies to bring out the best in kids and nurture skills that last. Mary B. uses evidence-based techniques in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), positive psychology, Mindfulness, structured play therapy and behavior therapy. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1992, and undergraduate degrees in Psychology and French at Randolph-Macon College in 1989. Mary B. is a mother of 3 boys, loves games, Legos, Star Wars and Bobafett!
James Secunda
Thundering Herd Investments
In 2008, Marty McCarthy (founder of Epiphany) approached me about starting a faith based school for children with Asperger syndrome. I didn’t even know what the disorder was. Marty educated me and convinced me that these special kids needed their own school-something that did not exist in the greater Charlotte area. It’s a joy to be part of an institution that changes lives.Jim graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1975 with a focus in business and marketing. He received a master’s degree from American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) in 1976. He was employed by INA Corp in Philadelphia in 1977 and went on to found American Rehabilitation, Inc in 1979, which he sold in 2008. Mr. Secunda went on to co-found two companies: CompSource, Inc in 1993 and Synergy Coverage Solutions, Inc in 2005. He has served on the Board of Directors with the following entities: Stony Brook Prep School, Stony Brook, NY; Charlotte Pregnancy Center; Community Health Services, Charlotte, NC; Boy Scouts of America (Special Needs Board Member), Charlotte, NC.
Shannon Schultz
abvDESIGNS
“As a former Special Education teacher, this is a way for me to combine my passion for teaching and volunteering and to give back to my community.”Shannon received her Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1996 from Fairmont State College, in Fairmont, WV. She is a former Special Education teacher, grades 9 through 12. While teaching for The Caesar Rodney School District in Delaware, she piloted READ 180, a reading intervention program based on curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional development. Since relocating to North Carolina from New York with her husband Frank, she has been an active volunteer in the community. She has been involved with organizations such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters and A Child’s Place, and she has volunteered at The Epiphany School of Charlotte for the past three years. Shannon is the proprietor of abvDESIGNS, a custom interior design firm.
Kelley Bolton
Psy.D. Southeast Psych
“I serve on the board of Epiphany because I believe in the mission of the school and the students we serve. Epiphany students are bright, creative, and they often bring a unique perspective to otherwise ordinary circumstance. Unfortunately these wonderful qualities get overlooked when a student struggles to successfully navigate the social world. I am honored to serve a school that is committed to helping kids develop stronger social communication skills so that their special qualities will shine even brighter!”Kelley earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. She completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Southeast Psych before joining the practice in 2012 as a licensed psychologist. Kelley earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama. She also holds a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. In her clinical practice, Kelley works with females of all ages through individual therapy and groups. She particularly enjoys working with Aspie females to help them develop a positive identity and build the social communication and emotional coping skills they need to have healthy relationships with others. Kelley also provides consultation services to church and ministry leadership teams in order to support their efforts to build healthy churches.
Mark Nebrig
“ I joined the Board of Epiphany because Charlotte must have a school like Epiphany. Children with Asperger’s and similar challenges, particularly in the school environment, are often denied the opportunity to fully explore who they are and who they can be. Epiphany is a haven for these children to reach their full potential. As a parent of a son with Asperger’s and the husband of a woman who has made it her mission to make Charlotte a model community for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, serving on the Board of this amazing school is my chance to work with incredibly passionate and talented people who share my family’s values and mission. It is a privilege to be connected to Epiphany, and it is my hope and challenge to raise awareness of Epiphany to strengthen its connection to our community.”Mark grew up in western North Carolina, graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Economics in 1991. He received his law degree from Temple University, and has practiced as a commercial litigator with Moore & Van Allen PLLC in Charlotte for his entire career. Mark was raised in a family dedicated to social work, and he was fortunate to find a like-minded partner for the next step in life’s journey. His wife Michelle, who obtained her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Lehigh University, is a board member for Autism Charlotte, and her dedication to serving others runs to her core. Mark and Michelle are blessed with two inspiring children, Drew and Ginna. Their love for each other and inherent drive to “do the right thing” amazes their parents every day.