Staff & Board
Durham Literacy Center Staff
The DLC employs ten full-time staff and three part-time staff. We also benefit from the service of AmeriCorps Members placed with us for one-year terms by NC LiteracyCorps. An all-volunteer board of directors oversees our operations.
Lizzie Ellis-Furlong, Executive Director
(919) 489-8383, ext. 22
Lizzie has been the executive director since October 2014 after previously working at the DLC from 2001-2006. Supporting adults on their educational journeys is her lifelong passion, starting her career as an English teacher to adults in Eastern Europe. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of NC at Chapel Hill and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Earlham College.
Annette Gibbs, Director of Educational Programs
(919) 489-8383 ext. 26
Annette joined the DLC in September 2023. A Newark, N.J. native, she has acquired over 25 years of experience working in community services and adult education in Orlando, FL. and Atlanta, GA communities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Rutgers University and a masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida. Annette loves to travel, learn about different cultures, and spend time with family and friends.
Sarah Cooley, Adult Literacy Program Coordinator
(919) 489-8383, ext. 27
Sarah grew up in Boone, NC but has called Chapel Hill home for the last 30 years. She has many years of experience in Adult Education, as staff and a volunteer, most notably with Durham Tech as an administrator in Adult Basic Skills and other departments. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from UNC-Chapel Hill and has done graduate studies in Social Work, also at UNC-CH. Sarah loves all kinds of music and enjoys playing flute, Irish pennywhistle, and West-African djembe.
Joan Zec Nelson, ESOL Program Coordinator
(919) 489-8383, ext. 25
Joan joined the DLC in 2015 after teaching ESL at Alamance Community College. She is a state-level trainer for the community college system and has trained ESL and literacy teachers to incorporate college and career readiness into their curricula. She holds a B.A. degree from Marymount College in New York, and did graduate work at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. Before teaching ESL, Joan was a television reporter in the U.S. and Europe. She covered northern Mexico and the border while a reporter in El Paso, Texas.
Chris Hall, ESOL Program Associate
(919) 489-8383, ext. 33
Chris is a North Carolina native with 16 years experience in the financial, diplomatic and non-profit sectors. He has a B.A. in International Studies and Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Political Science from Bath University, UK, as well as certifications in conflict resolution and mediation. His research focused on human trafficking, including work on legislative proposals to the Czech Parliament.
Brice Hudson, Youth Achievement Program Coordinator
(919) 489-8383, ext. 13
Brice has been with the DLC since Fall 2018. She graduated from NC A&T with a BS in Electronics & Computer Technology. She began working for nonprofits in 2011, with the Daniel Center for Math & Science as Program Coordinator and then with O.A.S.I.S. Outreach, Inc. & O.A.S.I.S. Foundation of NC as the Site Coordinator. When she's not working, Brice enjoys spending time with family and friends.
DLC Board of Directors
The DLC has an all-volunteer Board of Directors. We welcome new members.
Isaac Thomas - Board Chair
Retired Durham Public Schools
Administrator
Ed Wolf - Vice Chair
Attorney
Steve Lebowitz – Treasurer
Finance Professional
Gail Faulkner Hudson - Secretary
Retired Dean of Counselling, NC School of Science & Math
Gwenn Weaver - Past Chair
Retired Librarian and Federal Government
Linda Anderson
Retired Pharmaceutical Professional
Kris Anthony-Miller
Retired Law Enforcement Officer
Rukmini Balu
Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff at Duke Community Affairs
Deborah Bender
Professor Emeritus, UNC Gillings School of Global Health
Atisha Burnett
Director of People and Culture for the ACLU of North Carolina
Stephanie Fennell
Deputy Director of the Durham County Library
Kristy Miller
Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Social Services Professional
Dan Oldman
Retired Software Engineer
Kathy Sikes
Senior Fellow for Civic Engagement at Duke Service-Learning
Mitch Tuchman
Attorney
Emeritus Board Members
Reginald Hodges
Retired former Executive Director of the Durham Literacy Center
Sy Mauskopf, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Duke University
Susan Springer
Director at Madrock Advisors
To learn how to join the Board or for information about our Board Subcommittees (e.g., Finance, Teaching & Learning, Fundraising), please contact us.
Brett Coonley, Youth Achievement Program Instructor
(919) 489-8383, ext. 28
Brett received his BA in Mathematics from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. He worked in the MIT Department of Mathematics for 7 years preparing mathematics textbooks for publication. He earned his PhD in Mathematics from NC State University. Brett has been teaching Math and Science to high school equivalency students since 2015.
Michele Brum da Silva, ESOL Program Assistant, Evening Shift Manager
(919) 489-8383, ext. 24
Michele (pronounced "Mee-sheh-lay") was born and raised in Brazil. She has many years of customer service and technical support experience and is fluent in multiple languages. She holds a Bachelor's in Administration from Universidade Federal do Pampa and has worked as a data manager in Durham Public Schools. She joined DLC in 2022 as the evening shift manager and has added the role of program assistant for ESOL to her duties.
Eugenia Rogers, Adult Literacy Program Associate, Morning Shift Manager
(919) 489-8383
Eugenia, a lifelong resident of Durham, proudly considers this vibrant city her home. As a devoted mother of two adult children and a loving dog owner, she is deeply passionate about education and literacy. Her academic journey began at the prestigious North Carolina Central University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with a focus on public relations. Eager to further her expertise, she returned to NCCU to obtain a Master’s degree in Library Science. Before joining the DLC team, Eugenia made a significant impact as a school librarian, fostering a love for reading and learning among her students.
In addition to her professional achievements, Eugenia is actively engaged in her community, chairing and serving on several esteemed local and national boards. She firmly believes that education is a powerful tool for empowerment, capable of transforming lives and creating meaningful change.
Contractors
Elizabeth Tietgen, Adult Basic Education Instructor at Threshold Clubhouse
Elizabeth leads an adult basic education class for adult learners at the Threshold Clubhouse, a community-based organization that serves Durham residents who live with severe or persistent mental illness.
Durham Literacy Center values diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, disability, or sexual orientation when considering employment, board membership, volunteer participation, or client services.