Chuck Kennedy is a Durham native. In 1981, he graduated from Guilford College with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He entered the insurance industry that same year with the Life Insurance Company of Virginia. In 1985, Mr. Kennedy joined Home Insurance Agency, where he managed the employee benefit division. A 1996 merger turned Home Insurance Agency into CSC Corporation. Two years later, Mr. Kennedy left to form Admark Benefits Group, Inc. In 2012 he joined Banyan Consulting Group, now Hub International, where he continues to serve today.

Mr. Kennedy lives in Durham with his wife Kim, and two sons, Adam and Mark. He is an elder at The Summit Church of Durham. He is also a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters and the Hope Valley Country Club.

As president of Investors Trust, Craig S. Lewis oversees day-to-day operations and manages the Investors Trust team, who provides the personalized service necessary to meet a wide range of clients’ investment, retirement, and other financial planning needs.

Mr. Lewis has more than 25 years of leadership experience in investment related businesses and served most recently as chief investment strategist for Manchester Capital Management in Manchester, Vermont, where he was responsible for asset allocation, investment selection, and client communications for relationships totaling more than $4 billion in assets under management. Prior to that role, Mr. Lewis served for 12 years as the chief investment officer for Franklin Street Partners in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Additional roles that Mr. Lewis has held include principal and portfolio manager for Essex Investment Management, portfolio manager for Putnam Investments, and analyst for Keystone Investments, all of which were based in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Lewis also attained the rank of captain while serving in the U.S. Army Reserve for 10 years.

Mr. Lewis earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kimberly Martin Rehberg has served as an in-house attorney for the City of Durham, North Carolina, since April 2005. After serving as litigation manager and lead attorney in all litigated tort matters for the first 14 years of her tenure with the City, she was appointed City Attorney by the Durham City Council in June 2019. Prior to joining the City Attorney’s Office, she served as Assistant General Counsel for the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, as an Assistant County Attorney for Durham County, and as an Assistant Professor of Public Law and Government at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill School of Government.

The daughter of a career officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and a nurse administrator, Ms. Rehberg spent the bulk of her youth in Onslow County, North Carolina. Having moved to North Carolina at the age of 5, she considers herself to be a North Carolinian for life.

Ms. Rehberg possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UNC and a Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law.

Denise Barnes has 16 years of experience in construction administration and diversity management. As Regional Diversity Manager for LeChase Construction, Denise focuses on making connections, building and preserving relationships, ensuring compliance, and promoting an inclusive vendor community. She has a passion for helping others and has been recognized both internally and externally for her genuine efforts.  She is an advocate for underrepresented business and committed to ensuring opportunities are afforded to minority and woman-owned firms.

Ms. Barnes completed her Contract Compliance Administrator (CCA) credentials and holds board seats with United Minority Contractors of North Carolina, National Association of Women in Construction in the Triangle of North Carolina, WayMaker Skilled Trades Collaborative, and Durham County Hospital Corporation.

Denise holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Shaw University and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Pfeiffer University.

Dr. Craig Daniels received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University, followed by three years in the U.S. Navy. While serving as the Assistant Replacement Director at the University of Delaware, he earned an M.Ed. and PhD in Psychology. Dr. Daniels taught at the University of Hartford for 19 years after which he became a Graduate Dean at the University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut), followed by Dean of Arts & Sciences at Eastern Connecticut State University. In retirement, he obtained an M.S. in Accounting and an M.S. in Taxation.

Dr. Daniels and his wife, Janet, joined The Forest at Duke in 2016 along with their dog, Edo. They have four children and nine grandchildren.

A native North Carolinian, Edward L. Embree III graduated from Durham High School and attended Davidson College, ultimately earning his J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law. He practiced law in Durham from 1972 to 2014 with the firm of Powe, Porter, Alphin & Whichard and its successor, Moore & Van Allen, with the exception of a three-month period in 1972-73 when he trained as an Infantry Officer in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

While practicing law, Mr. Embree was active in the affairs of the Durham Bar Association. A lifelong member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in downtown Durham, he served on its vestry for two terms, then as the chair of its Search Committee for a new Rector. During that process, Mr. Embree was named the Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, a position he held for nearly 15 years. He also served on the Board of the Homeowners Association at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as well as on the Board of Johnson Service Corps, a Triangle member of the Episcopal Service Corps.

Mr. Embree and his wife, Stuart, joined The Forest at Duke in November 2018. He enjoys a number of hobbies and interests, including camping, hiking, boating, and cooking.

Lynne Farber, MSN, CPNP-PC, AC is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Pediatric Surgery at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine and UNC School of Nursing and a Clinical Consultant with the Duke School of Nursing. Her many awards include the Advanced Practice Provider Award (2013), Great 100 Nurses in North Carolina (2009), APSNA Founders Award (2008), and James Emonson North Carolina Children’s Honour (2008). Ms. Farber is a past president of the American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association and served on the editorial board of the Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing (JPSN). She has presented internationally and nationally on a variety of pediatric surgery and trauma topics.

As the first pediatric inpatient nurse practitioner at the University of North Carolina’s Health Care Children’s Hospital, Ms. Farber recognized a need for a model reinforcing the benefit of advanced practice nurses providing cohesive management and evidence-based clinical care for hospitalized children. Ms. Farber was a founding member of the Advanced Practice Council in an organization currently employing 490 nurse practitioners. On a national level, she served on the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board’s acute care update committee to maintain recertification standards for Acute Care nurse practitioners through test writing and critiquing examination questions from nurse experts nationally.

Recently retired from the UNC Pediatric Surgical team, Ms. Farber aspires to serve the community in new and rewarding venues. As a caregiver for a father with dementia (now deceased) and her mother who lives at her home, she holds a sincere appreciation for the needs of elderly persons who often cannot advocate for themselves.

Elizabeth Gillis has dedicated her life to education, service, and volunteer leadership. Her life’s work has been centered on advancing educational institutions and supporting academic communities through leadership, governance, and service.

Throughout her career, Elizabeth was deeply engaged in higher education, serving on multiple boards affiliated with Rice University and organizations in Houston. Her commitment to education and volunteerism also included service with the Ronald McDonald House. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, Rice University established the Elizabeth Gillis Award for Exemplary Service in her honor and named her its first recipient. She also received the Gold Medal from the Rice Alumni Association for exemplary service and devotion to the Rice University community.

Elizabeth moved to The Forest at Duke in 2018 and has been actively involved in community life since that time. She joined the Activities Committee in 2019, became Chair of the committee in 2021, and currently serves as a member and secretary of the IT Committee.

Elizabeth was married to Malcolm Gillis for 53 years and has three children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

James Hopkins is an accomplished educational leader with nearly two decades of experience in the North Carolina public school system. As the inaugural principal of Lyons Farm Elementary School in Durham since 2022, he successfully built the school’s entire staff from the ground up and led the school to rank #1 in the state for academic growth among recently opened schools. Previously, as principal of Lakewood Elementary School, he demonstrated his ability to transform school performance by helping the school improve from an “F” to a “C” grade in just two years.

Mr. Hopkins’ career in education began as a teacher at Riverside High School, where he developed the district’s World Religions curriculum. He has progressively taken on larger leadership roles, serving as an assistant principal at both Jordan High School and Carrboro High School, where he significantly increased Advanced Placement participation among students of color. A graduate of North Carolina Central University with a B.A. in History Education, he earned his Masters of School Administration from UNC Chapel Hill. Mr. Hopkins remains active in the education community through his service on multiple boards, including the Durham Public School Foundation Board and the Durham Community Schools Steering Committee.

A Durham native, Mr. Hopkins worked at The Forest at Duke as a student. His commitment to family and community involvement has opened pathways to strong community partnerships with The Forest.

Robert C. Kanoy III, Ph.D., has dedicated his career to expanding access to higher education and improving student success outcomes. As a Senior Fellow at the American Council on Education (ACE) from 2011 until his retirement in 2017, he directed the American College Application Campaign, a nationwide initiative to increase college access for first-generation and low-income students. Prior to ACE, he served as Director of The Institute for College and Career Success and held several senior leadership positions within the University of North Carolina system, including Senior Associate Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

Throughout his career, Dr. Kanoy has been instrumental in developing and implementing innovative programs to increase college access and retention. At UNC, he provided leadership for initiatives such as Pathways of North Carolina and GEAR UP NC, while also serving as the system’s chief student affairs officer. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from George Peabody College for Teachers of Vanderbilt University and has secured over $35 million in grants to support educational access programs.

Currently, Dr. Kanoy serves on the Board of Directors for Executive Services Corps in Durham and continues to advocate for expanding educational opportunities.

Drew Langsam brings more than 30 years of experience in project and construction management, with a strong focus on collaborative leadership and delivering complex projects from concept through completion. He currently serves as Senior Project Manager and Managing Principal at CORE Collaborative, where he represents owners throughout the design and construction process to ensure projects are completed on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards.

Known for his balanced leadership style and attention to detail, Drew works closely with owners, architects, contractors, and stakeholders to guide projects forward and build high-performing teams. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland and is LEED BD+C certified.

Sonya Linton is an attorney whose practice focuses on the complex intersection of estate planning, business law, and fiduciary matters. She is known for her ability to distill complicated legal concepts into clear, practical guidance, helping clients understand the real-world impact of their decisions with care and sensitivity.

Sonya’s path to the law was shaped early on through exposure to her father’s law practice. She earned a double major in Philosophy and History of Math and Science from St. John’s College in 2000 and received her Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City in 2007. Following graduation, she moved to Durham, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Larry Moneta, Ed.D, is a distinguished figure in higher education, renowned for his extensive leadership and consultancy roles. With over three decades of experience, he has made significant contributions to the field, both domestically and internationally. Currently serving as an Independent Educational Consultant and Advisory Board Member at the Luxembourg School of Business, Dr. Moneta offers strategic guidance and expertise in program assessment, student support services, and operational management. His consultancy work extends beyond borders, with engagements in the United States, UAE, Croatia, and China.

Prior to his consultancy career, Dr. Moneta held prominent leadership positions, notably as Vice President for Student Affairs at Duke University. In this role, he oversaw a comprehensive division dedicated to enhancing the student experience across undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. His responsibilities included managing diverse departments such as housing, dining, health services, and cultural centers. Dr. Moneta’s dedication to student development led him to serve as a Fulbright Scholar in Croatia, where he advised on university expansion efforts and conducted research on student support models. Committed to advancing the field, Dr. Moneta actively participates in professional associations and continues to shape the future of higher education through his consultancy work and academic contributions.

John C. Rasmussen is a retired accountant and enrolled agent with over 30 years of experience in accounting and tax preparation for both individual and business clients. As the sole practitioner at FDS, LLC from 1989 to 2024, Mr. Rasmussen provided comprehensive financial services, including monthly write-ups, financial statements, budgeting, consultations, and tax preparation. His expertise also extended to representing taxpayers before the IRS, leveraging his licensure as an Enrolled Agent by the U.S. Treasury.

A graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Mr. Rasmussen has consistently demonstrated a commitment to service, both professionally and personally. He has contributed significantly to his community through his volunteer roles, including serving as Chair of the Finance Committee at Epworth United Methodist Church and as President of the Rotary Club of Southwest Durham. In these roles, Mr. Rasmussen not only provided financial stewardship but also actively participated in initiatives to support church members and the wider Durham community.

Now retired, Mr. Rasmussen resides in Durham, where he continues to embody the principles of service and leadership that have defined his career and volunteer work.

Sterly L. Wilder is a seasoned higher education leader with an impressive 40-year career at Duke University, where she excelled in alumni engagement, fundraising, and strategic planning. During her tenure as Senior Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Development, she oversaw Annual Fund contributions exceeding $138 million and championed initiatives to strengthen relationships with Duke’s BIPOC alumni through the Multi-Cultural Advancement programs. Her work expanded Duke’s global alumni network by fostering mentorship, internships, and career connections.

Previously, as Executive Director of Alumni Affairs, Ms. Wilder represented over 180,000 Duke alumni worldwide. She developed strategic plans and innovative programs, including the Duke Women’s Forum and the Duke DEMAN (Duke Entertainment, Media, and Arts Network). Her efforts in lifelong learning and professional development provided Duke alumni with rich opportunities for personal and career growth.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Wilder is deeply committed to community service, serving on numerous boards, including the Ronald McDonald House of Durham and the Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans Foundation. A proud Duke alumna with a Bachelor’s in Political Science, she continues to embody the Blue Devil spirit as an advisor, avid golfer, and enthusiastic connector in her community.