Our Leadership

Guided by lived experience, compassion, and innovation — our leadership team and board shape PRN’s mission of recovery and hope.

Cherene Allen-Caraco

Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Global Strategist

Read Bio

Cherene Allen-Caraco

Founder, Chief Executive Office and Global Strategist

Cherene founded Promise Resource Network in 2005, a survivor led organization operated and staffed by people that had experienced suicide attempts, mental health and substance use diagnosis, long-term homelessness, incarceration, gang involvement, trauma, and domestic violence. She has been involved in mental health services for over 33 years, both professionally and personally. As an international consultant, she has been giving the gift of learning from people around the world about their recovery from complex trauma and labels of mental illness.

The focus of PRN and Cherene’s vision is to serve those within Mecklenburg County and beyond who have either been kicked out or opted out of traditional mental health and substance use treatments. PRN creates healing alternatives that are rooted in 8 Dimensions of Wellness, resilience, and recovery. All efforts are guided by the people most directly impacted – Experts by Experience. PRN currently operates over 18 programs.

Education and Credentials:

Syracuse University – Bachelor’s degree in psychology, concentration in English/Theater
Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS)
Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP)
Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP)
2021 Bazelon Center Recipient Innovator of the Year

Alema Gregg

Chief Programs Officer

Lisa Shelton

Chief Administration Officer

Noah Swabe

Chief Strategy Officer

Traletta Banks

Workforce and Career Development Manager

Elliott Brooks

Raleigh Cafe and Recovery Program Manager

Leslie Brown

Organization and Development Manager

Allison Carpenter

Tenancy and Community Inclusion Manager – Statewide

Cedric Coit

Recovery Hub Programs Manager

Sam Cowden

Information Technology Manager

Sarah Diana

Finance and
Accounting Manager

Ethan English

Marketing Manager

Whitney Head

Quality Assurance Manager

Travis Ross

Human Resources Manager

John Schnepf

Court Programs Manager

Tony Vieux

Raleigh Respite Manager

Vanessa Williams

Program Manager
Warmline

Casey Wunsch

Senior Program Manager
Mecklenburg Peer Respite

Our Board of Directors

Kevin Garrison

Board Chair

Read Bio

Kevin Garrison

Board Chair

Kevin is the Managing Partner of Scalable Consulting, LLS, is a former Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Assurance Manager of PwC. As a CPA, Kevin served as PRN’s fractional Chief Finance Officer for a decade prior to taking on the role as the Chair of PRN’s BOD. Kevin is the co-owner of Hoodsly and Hypemill LLC and has served as a board member and treasurer of Queen City Forward. Kevin’s experience in accounting, business, entrepreneurship, and auditing serves PRN well to ensure fiduciary checks and balances.

Education:

Appalachian State University – Master’s Degree, Accounting

Susan Crawford

Board Member

Read Bio

Susan Crawford

Board Member

Experienced substance use recovery professional with lived experience, Susan is employed at the Charlotte Rescue Mission as a Community Relations Coordinator. Susan is an educator on trauma-informed care, well being and positive action plan, self-acceptance and goals reinforcement. She has a large network of partnerships and relationships in Mecklenburg County with service providers, people with lived experience and allies. Susan holds numerous certifications including CIT, Public Speaking, Seeking Safety and Working Smart.

Education:

Southern New Hampshire University: Criminal Justice – Public Safety (2022-Current) Expected Completion October 2024
Currently enrolled for my Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Final Semester
Registered with the North Carolina Addiction Specialist Professional Practice Board Starts 10/28/2019 and ends 4/24/2027 – CADC-i
Unique Identifier: CADC-26135

Completed:

3 Ethics Hours
12 Core Function Task Hours
Supervision by – Pauline DeMonico
Supervisory Agency – Charlotte Rescue Mission

Accomplishments & Certifications:

CADAC-1
MSCJ
BSJA
CIT Certified
MCSO PREA
Masterclass Public Speaking
Trainer Substance-Using Behavioral and Resources
Trainer- Trauma Informed Care

Deborah Hendren

Board Member

Read Bio

Deborah J. Hendren

Board Member

High achieving and award-winning Human Services Professional with 23+ years of experience. Knowledgeable Certified Prevention Consultant leading high performing teams and all aspects of Performance Management. Lean Six Sigma project manager and energetic systems thinker, program designer, and strategic planner. Writer of grants, policies, and procedures for serving Medicaid populations and multiple diverse populations. Effective administrator, public health advocate, and professional leader.

Deborah has worked for Wake County Human Services as well as MCO’s throughout her career serving individuals who experience Mental Health and Substance Use related issues. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to lend as support and guidance to PRN Board of Directors for current and future strategic planning.

Education:

Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences
State University of New York (SUNY) College at Cortland

Accomplishments & Certifications:

Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (LSSYB), March 2021
North Carolina Certified Prevention Consultant (CPS), Certificate 2898
North Carolina Substance Abuse Prevention Providers Association (NCSAPPA) Board Member, December 2011 – Present
NCSAPPA Executive Team Member, October 2014 – August 2021
Consistent top performer in Cardinal Innovations Healthcare and Wake County Performance Management System
2012 Staff of the Year for Wake County Human Services
Recipient of the 2000 NC Public Health Association Creative Approach Certificate of Achievement

Mary Lloyd

Board Member

Read Bio

Mary Lloyd

Board Member

Bio
Mary Ellen Lloyd is a recovery‑focused advocate with lived experience navigating mental health challenges, parenting a child with intellectual, physical, and medical disabilities, and supporting family members affected by mental health and substance use. With more than 20 years of experience supporting families across the lifespan, she has served in roles including Family Partner, Wrap Facilitator, MHFA Facilitator, Program Director, and family engagement leader, working extensively within community‑based systems in North Carolina. Mary Ellen is a certified facilitator of multiple evidence‑based, whole‑person wellness models, including WRAP, and is deeply committed to equity, person‑centered care, and system transformation. Today, she serves her community as an independent consultant, empowering individuals and families with tools, skills, and support to create the lives they want to live.

Education
Western Piedmont Community College — Associate Degree in Nursing.

Nichole Wagner

Board Member

Read Bio

Nichole Wagner

Board Member

Nichole Wagner is a Partner at East Rock Capital, a generational wealth manager for a select group of
families, where she leads private investing.

Before joining East Rock 12 years ago Nichole was Director of Investments at SF Capital, a single-family office, and began her career at Veritable (now Pathstone). She lives in Charlotte with her husband, son and
two dogs.

When not with family or working she is drawn to reading, writing, and wondering about the big questions of
life.

Jon Wendell

Board Member

Read Bio

Jon Weddell, MSW, LCSWA, M.Div.

Board Member

Jon has served on the PRN Board of Directors for 5 plus years. He brings a vast knowledge to the housing community and has worked in this field throughout his career as well as recently focusing on counseling as a licensed clinical social worker. He has also provided PRN with valuable research around involuntary commitments throughout the State that resulted in data that was instrumental in securing funding for PRN’s development and implementation of the first Peer Run, Peer Operated Respite in NC as an alternative to coerced or involuntary MH commitments in Mecklenburg County. This research is also instrumental in the advocacy for policy changes around involuntary commitments.

Jon is a member of MINT, and has been training a variety of person-centered, strengths-based topics for social service staff for over 20 years. He is an advocate of the Recovery Model and Its focus on strengths and resilience. He attended his first Motivational Interviewing (MI) training in 2006, which ignited his passion for training and equipping staff to help people change and grow. He joined the MI Network of Trainers in 2009. Currently, he works at Carolina Outreach, providing intakes, assertive engagement, and outpatient therapy. He trains in MI, permanent supportive housing, and he is leading The Forum’s MI learning community.

Education:

Master of Social Work
Master of Divinity

Accomplishments & Certifications:

MINT Trainer-Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers
Area of Practice: Health, Addiction, Mental Health, Social Organizational Change
Services Offered: Introductory Training, Intermediate training, Advanced training, Supervision, Coaching Minister of Music, Holy Covenant UCC