About Education Without Walls

Board Member

Roger is a graduate of Business Administration from Auburn University. He resides in Kure Beach, NC with his wife, three children, and grandson. Roger and Jenny currently own Island Beverage and The Tropical, both located in Carolina Beach. His previous experience was in sales and management. Serving as both a  sales rep and a retail associate director for Verizon Wireless for nearly 20 years.   

Board Member

Alex is a CPA from Wilmington who has built a career serving non-profits in the area and is the Finance Manager at Carousel Child Advocacy Center. In his free time Alex enjoys spending time with his wife Whitney and his three daughters Lucy, Amelia, and Charlotte. When there are waves you will find him in the water, surfing.

Board Member

Chelsea is an Operations Specialist with Ornish Lifestyle Medicine. She is a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach and holds a BS in Management. Chelsea has a passion for nature, is an avid runner, swimmer, and yogi and you can often find her outside, gazing at the trees or tending veggies in her garden.

Treasurer

A Wealth Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional with Pathfinder Wealth Consulting. John graduated from UNCW’s Cameron School of Business in 2009 and has been in the financial planning industry for over 12 years. In his free time, you’ll find John surfing, mountain biking, backpacking, and climbing, including his wife, Allie, and their two children, Piper age 5 and Banks age 2, whenever he can. 

Board Chair

Brooke is the Academy Director and Instructional Coach at the Career Readiness Academy of Finance. She has been an educator for over 16 years who got her start in the Peace Corps-Burkina Faso '99-'01. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching History from UNCWilmington. Innovation, experiential and interdisciplinary education and project-based learning have been her focus for the last 12 years.

Executive Director

After years of working closely with youth and their estranged caregivers as the Clinical Supervisor for a homeless-youth shelter, Celine became passionate about providing motived teens with financial needs opportunities to break negative life cycles. We’re proud to have her as our founding executive director in charge of our daily operations.

Meet the board & staff

Program Director

Emily received her BSW from UNCW in 2016 and her MSW from UNC in 2017. She has 8 years' experience working with adolescents in several settings, including a community based and outpatient therapy practice. Emily is currently a nature-based outpatient therapist in Wilmington and is passionate about the positive connection between humans and the outdoors.

Lead Advocate

My true passion lies in supporting people. Being a part of EWOW teaches me what it means to show up for others, create safe spaces, and invest in someone's potential.  Being a part of this organization not only allows me to support others, but also helps me continue to grow in myself both personally and professionally.

Student Advocate

Student Advocate

Clinical Supervisor

I am a Master's of Social Work student at UNCW with a background in psychology and neuroscience. My own struggles in a traditional classroom led me to find an outlet in surfing and rock climbing. I became interested in Education Without Walls due to my passion for the power of nature and movement for people experiencing mental health concerns.  

Executive Assistant

Inspired by her deep commitment to helping children thrive, Candace channels her passion into supporting programs that benefit younger generations. Following the heartbreaking loss of her oldest daughter to pediatric cancer, she has devoted herself to volunteering and participating in fundraisers aimed at making a positive impact. Candace’s personal experience fuels her unwavering dedication to creating opportunities and support for children in need.. 

Outreach Coordinator

Student Advocate

I am an MSW student at Grand Canyon University with a background in behavioral health and human services. The unification of outdoor education and meaningful mentorship makes Education Without Walls a truly unique approach to supporting youth, and working alongside a dedicated team while guiding teens through challenges has strengthened both my skills and my passion for this field.

Student Advocate

I am a Master of Social Work student at UNCW and earned my Bachelor’s in Social Work from NC State. My experience working at a summer camp showed me the powerful role nature plays in teens’ growth and self-discovery. I am passionate about helping teens build confidence, resilience, and realize their full potential. .

Student Advocate

II am an MSW student at UNCW with an enthusiasm for nature and helping others. I gained a background in adolescent trauma and behavioral health while acquiring my Bachelor’s of Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. Education Without Walls first stood out to me due to their extraordinary methods of getting teens in touch with themselves and with nature; using the environment as a means to overcome their challenges both in and outside of the classroom, and I look forward to my continued growth while working here.