BOARD CHAIR

Lionell Hightower (aka Hightower) has made a major impact in WNC following his release from prison in 2016. This devoted father, Forensic peer support specialist, Certified Peer Support Specialist, and Community Health Worker has been actively working in this community for over five years. Hightower is also the driving force behind the groundbreaking Child Support program at Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness.

BOARD SECRETARY

Lara Cates is an experienced mental health and substance use professional holding a Master of Social Work. She is dually licensed as a clinical social worker and addictions specialist. Lara is currently employed as a care manager for a managed care organization. She is a published author of academic articles that focus on incarceration and medications for opioid use disorder. She served as the grant coordinator for the State Opioid Response grant. Lara is dedicated to fostering equity for all and is committed to reducing the stigma surrounding incarceration. She is passionate about creating inclusive spaces that promote understanding and support. Lara is committed to making a positive impact through a social justice perspective.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Kelly White is an Experienced Instructor with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & healthcare industry. She is skilled in Microsoft Excel, OneNote, Adult Education, Employee Training, and Communication. Strong education professional with a Master's degree focused in Public Health and Health Education from Purdue University Global.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Destiny is an enrolled member of the eastern band of Cherokee Indians and a person in long-term recovery. She is a certified peer support specialist, certified community health worker, certified recovery coach, crisis intervention specialist, and harm reduction specialist. She works for the county’s community reentry team and has many years of lived experience. She loves to use her voice to help those who are unable to use their voice at this time. She is grateful to be a part of such an amazing board of directors.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Shaunessy Lofton, MPH, is a dedicated public health professional and community health worker with a passion for addressing systemic injustices through an equity-focused lens. Shaunessy has actively contributed to interventions and strategic planning aimed at mitigating the impact of racism on communities and organizations. Shaunessy is a native of Asheville, NC holding a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health, a Graduate Certificate in Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities, and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health. Her academic background, coupled with a commitment to equity, positions her as a dynamic force in community health. Currently serving as the Senior Project Manager of Community Health Worker Sustainability and Integration at Partners in Health- US, Shaunessy leads initiatives in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and other partners. Her role involves strategic advising, technical support, and fostering collaborative relationships to drive sustainable change in North Carolina. Shaunessy is committed to equitable practices within communities with a constant focus on systemic accountability.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Director of ABCCM’s Recovery Living Ministry @ The Costello House 2022-Present

HHJ Construction- Qualifier, Senior Project Manager & Consultant 2007-Present

Bank of America –Corporate Real Equipment; Equipment Inventory Management & Mortgages from 1998-2007

Current 2023 Leadership Asheville 42 member

Current General Contractor License Holder NC/SC

Former NC Real Estate License Holder

Member of the Que Psi Phi Fraternity

Volunteer Efforts

Pisgah Legal

Chosen

Mediation Center

BOARD DIRECTOR

Erin Bowman works as the CEO of the Julian F. Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center. As an addictions therapist specializing in trauma, she understands the importance of treating the whole person without judgement or stigma. Erin’s passions include connecting patients to the care they need and building bridges between different community partners. She trains on Trauma Informed Care and specializes in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders as well as substance use disorders. Erin is the owner of Bowman Collaborative Consulting, LLC. Erin enjoys spending time with her family, including three dogs, cooking, yoga and beekeeping.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Michael Pesant is committed to strengthening communities across Western North Carolina by expanding access to recovery, behavioral health supports, and economic opportunity. He currently serves with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, helping lead development of a statewide commercial district revitalization program supporting long-term recovery and local economic resilience following Hurricane Helene.

Previously, Michael was a program officer with a regional health foundation, guiding investments addressing the opioid overdose and broader behavioral health crisis. His work focuses on strengthening recovery ecosystems, expanding pathways for justice-involved individuals, and building partnerships that connect community voice to lasting systems change. Before moving into broader systems and grant-making roles, he spent many years in direct service supporting individuals and families.

Michael is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with graduate degrees in social work and business administration. He believes reentry is ultimately about building the kind of community we all want to live in, where people have the opportunity to heal, contribute, and belong.

Whitley Carpenter (she/her) is the Senior Criminal Justice Counsel and Policy Manager for Forward Justice. She focuses on researching, developing, and advocating for effective policy changes related to reducing racial disparities in the criminal justice system, shifting the excessively punitive posture of criminal justice practices, and reducing recidivism through successful re-entry. Prior to working with Forward Justice, she was a Criminal Justice Staff Attorney with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, where she worked on the Clean Slate Project and provided direct legal services to individuals seeking relief from the collateral consequences of having a criminal record. She has participated in the planning and implementation of more than twelve Clean Slate Clinics across North Carolina and filed thousands of expungement petitions across the state. She also has worked with grassroots organizations and community members to advocate for criminal justice policy changes at the state and local level. Whitley is currently the President of the National Conference of Black Lawyers, she leads the NC Fines and Fees Coalition, serves on the advisory board of the Durham Expunction and Restoration Program, and is a member of the NC Second Chance Alliance. Whitley brings a tireless commitment and a determined passion to her work on behalf of those who have often been silenced. Originally from Winston-Salem, NC, Whitley received her JD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and bachelor's degrees in psychology and political science from North Carolina State University.