Our Board

Nikia Coates is an Assistant Director of Client and Community Relations at PNC Financial Services, Inc. She is deeply committed to providing high-quality early education to all children and advocating for the marginalized.

Matthew Ellinwood is a proud dad committed to upholding the educational rights and opportunities of all North Carolina children. He enjoys going on hikes and riding bikes with his two young boys and going to all manner of sporting events in Chapel Hill.

Katherine currently serves as the Cooperative Extension Director for Wake County. Over her 30 year career in Wake County, she has made significant contributions to enhance our food system, develop our youth and strengthen families. She is passionate about community building and believes in helping our children to thrive.

Antonia (Toni) Pedroza is the Deputy Director of Wake County Health and Human Services. She is passionate about spending time with her family, providing the best service possible, and practicing the principles of partnership.

A native of North Carolina, Wake County Commissioner Cheryl Stallings is also a psychologist who co-owns a mental health practice in Raleigh that primarily serves children, adolescents, families, and young adults. Through direct service and public policy work, Commissioner Dr. Stallings is committed to working for safe, healthy, and affordable communities for young children and their families.

Jason Horton is the Strategic Initiatives Director for Wake County, where he leads the development and implementation of the County’s Strategic Plan. Since joining Wake County in 2007, he has held various leadership roles and brings experience from local government consulting and nonprofit work. A native of Mount Airy, Jason earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Appalachian State University. He and his wife, Susan, live in Raleigh with their daughter, Katie, and their energetic Labrador retriever, Mamie Lois. In his free time, Jason enjoys gardening and yard work and is an avid fan of Appalachian State sports and the Carolina Hurricanes.

Joe White is a former teacher who has experience in public sector budgeting at the county, state, and university levels. As a public servant and a parent of three Wake County public school children, he firmly believes each child desires to be successful and we must provide resources and programs to promote that success for all kids.

Kelsey Camarena is originally from Galax, Virginia. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Roanoke College and a Master of Public Administration from Appalachian State University. She has built a career dedicated to advancing community impact and systems-level change. With over a decade of experience in philanthropy, marketing, public relations, communications, and volunteer engagement, Kelsey is a seasoned nonprofit leader committed to addressing root-cause issues and removing systemic barriers for families. She currently serves as the Chief Philanthropy Officer at United Way of the Greater Triangle, where she leads the organization’s fundraising and donor engagement strategy. By cultivating meaningful relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations, she ensures the organization is positioned to drive long-term, measurable impact. Prior to joining United Way Greater Triangle, Kelsey held leadership roles at several mission-driven organizations, including United Way of Roanoke Valley, United Way of Forsyth County, and Imprints Cares. Kelsey is known for building bridges across perspectives, valuing collaboration, and fostering inclusive environments.

Kerry McCarthy Adams brings a wealth of personal and professional experience in the early intervention system in Wake County. A resident of Wake County for the past 18 years, Kerry has been a dedicated advocate for children and families through her volunteer work with organizations such as Wake LICC, Wake PTA Council, the Special Education Inclusion Committee, the Special Education Advisory Council, and the NC Fragile X Foundation.

She is deeply familiar with the challenges families face when navigating complex systems to access the support their children need to thrive. Kerry currently works with the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), where she continues her commitment to empowering families.

Outside of her professional and advocacy work, Kerry enjoys quality time with family and friends. She recharges by exploring creative pursuits and immersing herself in nature. She is an enthusiastic member of the North Carolina Storytelling Guild.

Michele Woodson is a passionate advocate for the development of young children and their families, bringing over 30 years of experience in education to the SMART START board. Her career has been dedicated to improving outcomes for students, which she believes begins with a strong foundation in early childhood.
Michele’s extensive background includes roles as a teacher, instructional coach, and principal in Alamance County, as well as various leadership positions at the district level. She has served as Director of Instructional Improvement, Director of Title I, Chief Academic Officer, and Senior Director of K-12 Curriculum Development. In November 2023, she became an Assistant Superintendent.
Holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from East Carolina University, a Master’s in Elementary Education from Elon University, and an add-on licensure for School Administration from UNC Chapel Hill, Michele also earned an Ed.S. from Liberty University. Her deep understanding of education, from the classroom to district leadership, fuels her commitment to ensuring that every child has the best possible start in life.