Meet our Team

We're Hiring

Lesley Funk

Director of Programs

Lesley holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from North Carolina State University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has over 15 years of experience in case management, family therapy, supervision, and program development. She strives to ensure that NRM continuously shifts to meet the needs of the North Raleigh community with a combined approach of faith and evidence based programming. Lesley feels blessed to lead an amazing team in this important work in her own community. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, spending time with her pets, and camping and hiking with her husband and children. 

lesley@northraleighministries.com
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Joshua Starling

Development Director

Joshua graduated from North Carolina State University where he started his career in radio for Capitol Broadcasting Company’s Tobacco Radio Network. In 2003, he served in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as the Executive Director of the North Carolina FFA Foundation. Joshua was part of a fundraising team that generated more than $25 million annually for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In 2017, Joshua began serving as Executive Director of the Piedmont Wildlife Center, an educational, wildlife conservation non-profit in Durham, North Carolina. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, being out on the water, and is an avid sports fan. His passion is to be remembered for living a life of service that is best stated in Luke 14, “To
those that much is given, much is required.”

joshua@northraleighministries.com
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Caroline Sagaon

Donor Relations Coordinator

Caroline has worked in the non-profit setting for over five years now. She grew up in sunny Florida where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is passionate about making an impact in people’s lives. Most recently, Caroline worked for House of Hope of NC, which is a Christian therapeutic school, home, and counseling center for hurting and troubled girls. She enjoys being outside, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with her husband, friends, and her golden retriever, Honey.

caroline@northraleighministries.com
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Zach Palmer

Director of Operations

Zach is no stranger to the non-profit industry. Having spent over six years in various management positions at North Raleigh Ministries, he has developed an excellent insight in company management and growth. Zach has obtained an Associate in Arts with a focus in Business Administration from Wake Technical Community College. He currently attends the University of North Carolina Greensboro’s online Bachelor’s in Business Administration program. Zach is originally from Asheville, NC but moved to Raleigh at an early age. He enjoys playing basketball, working on cars, and spending time with family!

Natalie Pillay

Finance Director

Natalie has been working in Finance for over 18 years including 8 years at Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina. She graduated with an Associate degree in Finance and she also completed the Nonprofit Management program at Duke University. Natalie grew up in Durban, South Africa but has been living in the USA for 13 years now. She enjoys traveling and DIY projects. She has already visited 30 countries so far!

finance@northraleighministries.com
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Rashiidah Richardson

Social Work Programs Manager

Rashiidah graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a BA in Psychology. While she was obtaining her degree at UNC, she worked for several non-profits in Chapel Hill-Durham area primarily around youth empowerment and community development. After graduating, she was a high school English teacher in Eastern North Carolina for a little while. She then went to NCSU to obtain her MSW where she interned at North Raleigh Ministries! She enjoys Zumba, walking/running nature trails, and is an avid reader. An interesting fact about Rashiidah is that she has been vegetarian for over 14 years.

rashiidah@northraleighministries.com
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Madison Lozano

Food Pantry Programs Manager

Madison graduated from UNC Greensboro with a double major in Sociology and International Development. Since graduating, she has worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with Wake County Cooperative Extension. She also taught English in South Korea and volunteered at multiple nonprofits in the Philippines and St Vincent and the Grenadines. She is originally from Texas and moved to North Carolina when she was in middle school. She enjoys doing anything outdoors including swimming, biking, gardening, hiking, or reading!

madison@northraleighministries.com
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Kyrstin Kasprack

Transitions Coach

Kyrstin graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelors of Social Work. She has multiple years of experience working and volunteering with nonprofits including mission work in India and local pregnancy resource centers. While finishing her degree, she had the opportunity to intern at North Raleigh Ministries for a semester. When not at work, Kyrstin loves to spend her day hanging out with her two daughters and husband.

kyrstin@northraleighministries.com
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 Jose Lopez

Journey Coach

José is originally from México, born in Villagrán, Guanajuato and moved to Siler City, NC when he was 10 years old. In 2018, he graduated from Guilford College with a double major in Accounting and Spanish. During his undergrad, José served as the Secretary of Hispanos Unidos de Guilford (HUG), as well as the Music and Live Chairmen of the Campus Activities Board (CAB). After college, José returned to Siler City to give back to the community that saw him grow up. As a former Dual-Language Science Teacher and Parent Liaison for Chatham County Schools he has invested his time in the academic wellbeing of students and parents alike and wishes to continue to work closely with the Latinx community through North Raleigh Ministries. He enjoys outside activities such volleyball, cornhole, swimming, metal detecting, and walking his dog “Rolo”. A fun fact about Jose is that he loves to try new dishes.

jose@northraleighministries.com
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Steven King

Food Pantry Coordinator

Steven started volunteering at the Food Pantry back in 2019 and started working as a Food Pantry Assistant in 2020. Some of his responsibilities include overseeing food pantry volunteers, food inventory, and food donations. Steven went to school at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington and currently residing in Wake Forest. Some of his hobbies include playing the guitar, video games, anime, and riding roller coasters!

steven@northraleighministries.com

Michael Olesen

Development Strategist

Michael Olesen is a retail manager by trade and most recently worked for Lowe’s Home Improvement as a department manager. He also worked in management at other large retail stores such as Home Depot and World Market where he established his abilities to develop retail operations for efficiency and profitability. After leaving his 7-year career as a store manager and committee member for Goodwill of Central Arizona, Michael moved to Raleigh to be closer to family. In addition to retail management, Michael is a regular outdoors-man who enjoys camping, mountain bike riding and other outdoor sports. Most recently, helped to open and develop the TROSA thrift store in Durham, N.C. Currently, he resides in Cary with his daughters, Margot and Maryanne.

michael@northraleighministries.com
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Amy McBennett

HR Assistant

Amy earned her bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and a Certificate of Human Resource Management from Wake Tech Community College. Prior to joining the NRM team, she worked as an HR Associate at Hudson-Belk and Director of Research for the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Amy is an avid reader, loves to cook and travel. A fun fact about Amy is that she spent two weeks in the Ionian Islands in Greece watching turtles hatch on an Earthwatch expedition!

amy@northraleighministries.com
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Jerome Sanchez

Harvest Plaza Thrift Shoppe Manager

Jerome is originally from Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico but grew up in Raleigh. He graduated from Rolesville High School has been working at North Raleigh Ministries for 3 years, working his way up to Thrift Shoppe Manager of the Harvest Plaza location. He previously worked at DHL eCommerce. On his free time, he likes to play basketball and video games. He loves all things shoes and his biggest inspiration is Kobe Bryant!

jerome@northraleighministries.com

 

Dave Myers

Stony Brook Thrift Shoppe Manager

Dave grew up in Staten Island, New York where he graduated from Tottenville High School in 1999. For 12 years, he worked at an institution in Staten Island where he mentored and provided care for developmentally disabled adults. He enjoys spending time with his family at the jump park and beach. An interesting fact about Dave is that he started a custom clothing business in 2006 where he paints sneakers and sews patches onto jackets. One of his favorite pieces was a vintage revamped jacket which he sold for $1,500!

dave@northraleighministries.com