This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Executive Director

Maria did her undergraduate work at Vanderbilt University, her Masters of Divinity at the School of Theology at Claremont, and has her doctorate in "Ministry with the Poor" from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Maria served as the Director of Admissions for the School of Theology at Claremont, as chaplain for a girls home for emotionally and sexually abused teenage girls in California, as well as serving 20 years as a pastor in various congregations in Los Angeles and the Charlotte area. Maria has been the Executive Director for Mecklenburg Ministries since June, 2005.

"I am honored and excited to be part of this vital ministry in our city and build upon the legacy of the past 20 years. Today more than ever the mission of Mecklenburg Ministries is essential as we learn what it means to love God and to love our neighbor across our different faith traditions. What a difference we can make in our city as we partner together."

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Director of Development & Marketing

Anysia Welsh is a graduate of Wesley United Methodist College and holds her Bachelors Degree of Arts concentrating in Media Arts. She has worked in the marketing, communication, P/R, and fundraising fields for over 7 years in both the non-profit and profit arenas.

With a passion for people, a heart for service and a vision for community, Anysia strives for social awareness, education and justice in the Charlotte community and our world. She has lived in Charlotte for four years and is a member of Park Road Baptist Church.

"I am blessed to have the opportunity to focus my time, talents and energy towards the mission and work of Mecklenburg Ministries. "

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Program Director

Anne VanNewkirk is an inter-personal skills consultant serving as Program Director for Mecklenburg Ministries. She has worked with the organization at intervals over the past 14 years as a facilitator, a volunteer, and a consultant, most recently as program director of "Souls of White Folks" and the new "Soul to Soul" project.

Anne holds a bachelor's degree from Bryn Mawr College and a master's degree from Wake Forest University. She has lived in Charlotte for 25 years and is a member of Charlotte Friends Meeting.

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Abdul Wakeel, Director of Administration

Zaimah Abdul-Wakeel is an Administrative/Customer Service Professional with over 15 years experience in the non-profit and local government arenas. She has worked for several non-profit organizations: American Friends Service Committee in Philadelphia, PA and Seattle, WA; Ad Hoc Group Against Crime and Faith Friends in Kansas City, MO; and Freedom Theatre in Philadelphia, PA.

Zaimah graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University, in Olathe, Kansas with a Bachelor’s degree in Management/Human Relations.

A new comer to Charlotte, Zaimah has found a spiritual home at Masjid Ash-Shaheed and feels that there is a strong need for the type of work that Mecklenburg Ministries is doing.

Rai Glover

Rai is consulting with Mecklenburg Ministries on our new Soul to Soul project, an anti-racism program for the faith community.
 

Rai Glover's new consulting business "represents not only a natural progression in my career, but also the fulfillment of a God-given vision and calling," says Glover, who became one of the youngest retirees at Bank of America in 2007. "I'm excited about the opportunity to share the lessons."
Glover completed her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education Degrees from the University of South Carolina. She completed the South Carolina Bankers School where she served as president of her class and received further certification from Duke University. Glover is a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and member of the National Speakers Association.

Rai Glover Consulting, LLC will tap into Glover's twenty-three year career in Corporate America to motivate and coach clients for excellence.

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Education & Outreach Director

Michelle is an educator with 15 years of experience teaching students of all ages. Her most recent curriculum, Humanities and World Cultures, combined with her extensive personal travel has inspired her to direct her energy toward the Mecklenburg Ministries Bridgebuilders program.

Michelle is a Unitarian Universalist who has called Charlotte her home during the past 4 years. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Geography, and from Chatham College in Pittsburgh with her in certification in Education.

Hugh Hammond, Intern

Hugh is a seminary student and a Unitarian Universalist (UU) candidate for ministry. For the 2008-2009 year, Hugh is sharing his time as a ministerial intern both at Mecklenburg Ministries and at the UU Church of Greensboro, NC. Hugh expects to graduate with a Master of Divinity degree from Meadville-Lombard Theological School (Chicago) in June, 2009. Prior to beginning the internship, Hugh has been practicing as an engineer in Charlotte since 1980. Hugh commented, “I am drawn to the work of Mecklenburg Ministries due to their commitment to social justice and their initiatives to build bridges between people of differing ethnicities, cultures, and religious understandings.”