Our Staff

The diverse group that comprises the Rise & Shine staff is united in our shared passion for educating and inspiring young people. A belief that every child deserves an equal chance to learn, to explore, and to blossom drives everything we do. Each day brings a fresh excitement that's reflected in our scholars' faces as they make new discoveries and experience the joy of learning.

**Executive Director**,
Maurice Jones

I joined Rise & Shine in October of 2024 as the new Executive Director. I currently have three daughters attending Rise & Shine. I've been connected in one form or fashion to Rise & Shine since its inception in 1996. I've served the citizens of Brevard and Transylvania County for over two decades as a City Council member from 2011-2023. Chair of the City Public Safety Committee, Vice Chair of the City Public Works Committee, Co- Chair of the Rosenwald Advisory Committee, Chair of the Transylvania Community Relations Board, Chair of the Transylvania Juvenile Crime and Prevention council and member of the Transylvania Recreation Advisory Committee, Brevard Community Development Organization, Land of Sky Regional Council and the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina/Transylvania Endowment Board. I look forward to bringing my connections and talents to Neighbors in Ministry/ Rise & Shine Freedom School. I'm excited for the future of scholars and for Rise and Shine.
Contact Maurice by email: mjones@riseshine.org

Finance Director, Stephanie Adams

Stephanie has over 25 years of professional experience in the areas of Bookkeeping & Accounting, Human Resource and Business Management for a variety of industries including corporations, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. Her areas of finance expertise include compliance and best practices, strong analytical skills, keeping a bird’s-eye view of finances and making data-informed decisions that enhance financial performance.

Stephanie is passionate about serving her community and ministering to others with love and encouragement so they may find and fulfill the purposes for which God created them, believing every community member is to be provided the opportunity to reach their full potential in life.

She is an outdoor enthusiast, environmental educator, and a certified fly-fishing instructor. When she is not working you will find her in the woods, on the river, traveling and camping with her husband and four-legged kiddo.
Contact Stephanie by email: finance@riseshine.org

HR and Operations Director, Patience Camp Hemphill

I learned the importance of education early in life as I sat next to my mother as she completed her Bachelors. I was so engaged in learning that I read all of her books and completed all of the assignments to submit to the professors. I believe that literacy provides a bridge to new grounds and is a key foundation to success. I am compassionate about family, community, education, and the success of others. I know that if there was anything that I could do to encourage others, that one thing would be to give back in a greater capacity than ever received.
As the Human Resources and Operations Director, I present strong ethics of business management and operational procedures. I have a background in accounting, human resources, and office management including over 20 years of customer service. I also have extensive knowledge of non-profit processes, policies and procedures. I am confident that my contributions to the organization will exceed all
expectations.
Contact Patience at Hrandoperations@riseshine.org

Program Director, Laura Leatherwood

I joined the Rise & Shine Program in the fall of 2016, after having taught Exceptional Children's classes at Pisgah Forest Elementary School for 28 years. As a Reading Specialist, I enjoy working with the scholars and helping them increase their reading skills through the exploration of rich literature. Our small group sessions give the scholars an opportunity to share their own experiences as well as gain knowledge from the other scholars in the group. I hope that I can instill a love of reading in our children so that they can be successful in every stage in their lives. I have the great joy as well of keeping our wonderful volunteer force running like a well-oiled machine.
Contact Laura by email: laura@riseshine.org

Program Assistant, Karen Darity

I am one of the newest members of the Neighbors in Ministry - Rise & Shine Program, and I am truly excited to be onboard. As a native of the Rosenwald Community, I have seen how the Rise & Shine Program promotes independence and cultivates a learning environment for all scholars to achieve, succeed and thrive. Education is an essential tool which helps everyone be the best they can be, and I truly believe it takes a village to raise a child. No matter your position or title in life, each of us can help to enrich the lives of our scholars by volunteering our skills and talents.
Contact Karen by email: Karen@riseshine.org

Enrichment Assistant, Raveen Wynn

I have been a part of the Rise & Shine family and community for many years. I have a son who attends Rise & Shine as well as myself when I was younger. I'm very excited to be able to return the same values that Rise & Shine instilled in me as a young child. I am passionate about learning the strengths of each child so that I can know how to encourage them throughout their journey. I'm very thankful for this opportunity to advocate for the children of our community because they are the future.
Contact Raveen by email: Raveen@riseshine.org

OUR BOARD

Rise & Shine/Neighbors In Ministry board members work tirelessly, devoting countless hours toward sustaining and growing our remarkable program. We supply vision, set and adopt policies, and direct our skilled and dedicated staff. We take pride in our unwavering commitment in the face of many challenges, and believe this has allowed Rise & Shine to produce exceptional results.

Chair, Deborah Le

“Rise & Shine is making a difference every day in some scholar’s life, and I’m blessed to be a small part of it.” Deb moved to Brevard in 2016 from Sumatra, Indonesia, where she followed her husband to pursue his career. She was actively involved in the local community and helped to start an English language program and a sewing mentorship in an orphanage. Before that, Deb taught fifth grade in Houston area public schools. Early in her career, she was a journalist at newspapers in Louisiana and Anchorage, Alaska. Always a lover of music, Deb studied piano and taught budding musicians of all ages in her home studio. Deb has been happily involved in Rise & Shine either as a tutor, guided reading facilitator or Board of Directors member since 2016. She was drawn to the organization because of its moving origination story and impactful mission to enrich the lives of Transylvania County youth through meaningful educational programs.

Michael Terry, Vice Chair

As a dedicated board member of Rise and Shine Neighbors in Ministry,I am deeply committed to empowering children and strengthening communities. With a personal connection to the program, I began participating in Rise & Shine in the 2nd grade and continued through high school, benefiting from its comprehensive support and enrichment opportunities. This firsthand experience has instilled a profound appreciation for the organization's mission to enrich children, empower parents, and encourage community through year-round programs.

Josh Nelson, CPA, Treasurer

Originally, I am from a busy midwest suburb but relocated to Brevard in order to find a slower pace of life that would allow me to spend more time with my wife and kids and give back to the community. I enjoy working with Rise and Shine, because as a parent I see literacy and education as a pathway to success for the next generation. I'm happy that I can use my experience in accounting and finance to help Rise & Shine continue to be a place where young scholars can get the assistance they need to be successful in school.

Diana Refsland, Secretary

I was raised in a small town in Montana, went to college at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT and received my PhD at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. From there I moved to Atlanta and taught at Spelman College for 15 years. I was there during the end of the Black Power Movement and was immersed in activities with John Lewis, Angela Davis, Julian Bond, and other Black civil rights leaders. We retired in Brevard in the early 2000’s and I became involved with Rise and Shine. I love our program, love working with the students, the parents, the staff and the other tutors. It could not be better. It is so wonderful to see our students coming to Rise and Shine at a very early age (6-10 years old) — and then see them grow and mature through our program. I love the program and support it in every way. I have been a tutor at Rise and Shine for 10 years and have been on the Board for two years. Rise and Shine is the best organization, with the best mission, and the best practice of all our programs in Brevard. So glad that I am a part of it.

Gloria Williamson, Assistant Treasurer

Frankie Gordon

Carl Mooney