Staff
Greg Kirkpatrick, Executive Director
Greg has served as a leader in the local nonprofit sector for 27 years, starting his career as executive director for the Wake Blood Plan at Rex Hospital. After four years, he moved on to the Food Bank of NC, where, in his 13-year tenure, he transformed a nascent organization into a sizable and regional hunger relief agency. In 1998, Greg joined Habitat for Humanity of Wake County as executive director. In his sixth year at the helm, Habitat Wake was named the National Urban Affiliate of the Year. At Habitat, Greg initiated construction on 150 homes; tripled the organization’s net assets; and quadrupled its annual revenue.
Greg was hired more than five years ago as SECU Family House’s capital campaign manager. After his first year, the Board hired him as executive director and together they completed an $8.1M capital and endowment campaign, surpassing the goal by $600,000.
He and his wife Lauren live in Five Points in Raleigh and have two children, Sam (24) and Molly (21).
Contact Greg at greg@secufamilyhouse.org or 919.932.8007.
Kathy Yasui-Der, Executive Assistant
Kathy was born and raised in southern California where she received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in sociology and education. Before coming to SECU Family House in 2005, she was an elementary school teacher. In her free time she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Contact Kathy at kathy@secufamilyhouse.org or 919.932.8004.
Luis A. Morales, Director of Operations
Luis served as a senior executive with Hilton International and a number of fine, independent hotel and vacation ownership organizations for more than thirty five years in diverse locations throughout the Americas, Hawaii and the Caribbean.
After leaving a Chapel Hill based hotel company where he had been responsible for resort operations on two islands in the Caribbean, Luis retired intending to complete work on a book that he had been writing on and off for a number of years. He joined Family House early in 2008 as a part-time team member with that in mind. His involvement grew, first as a volunteer for the initial opening, then tackling technical and facilities’ matters before transitioning to his current role. Luis oversees the day-to-day operation and provides planning assistance and support for the executive director.
He hails from New York, has three children, and enjoys photography, bicycling, the opera, N.Y. Yankees’ baseball, museums and the beautiful North Carolina countryside. Needless to say, that book is back on hold.
Contact Luis at luis@secufamilyhouse.org or 919.932.8005.
Janet Hudgens, Director of Marketing & Volunteers
Janet is a true Tar Heel – she was born in High Point and attended Carolina during her undergraduate years. She received her Master’s in Education at the University of New Orleans.
Before joining Family House, Janet worked for Arlington County, VA, public schools as a staff development specialist in the area of instructional technology.
She has been an active volunteer throughout her career, and was actually volunteering at Family House before she became a full-time employee. Her passion is in helping other people, and she finds working at Family House to be a truly rewarding experience.
Janet has two children and a Golden Retriever, who has just been certified as a Pet Therapy dog. Janet is looking forward to taking her dog to UNC Hospitals and brightening the days of patients there. In her spare time she enjoys outdoor activities, the beach, reading, and ACC Basketball.
Contact Janet at janet@secufamilyhouse.org or 919.932.8009.
Janice Ross, House Manager
Janice Ross comes to Chapel Hill by way of Syracuse, New York, where she lived for most of her adult life. She attended college at University of Michigan, SUNY Albany, and George Washington University where she obtained her Master of Arts in Health Care Administration. Prior to coming to SECU Family House, Janice served as an Associate Administrator at University Hospital in Syracuse, overseeing most hospital departments at one time or another, as well as directing the hospital’s renovation and new construction projects. In NY, Jan also served on the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York board for 8 years, including a stint as President. Janice and her husband Haynes moved to Durham last year and love the southern lifestyle. They have four grown children and an adorable grand-daughter. Janice spends her leisure time playing golf, tennis, reading and doing water aerobics.
Contact Janice at janice@secufamilyhouse.org or 919.932.8008.
LisaCaitlin Hess, Development Assistant
LisaCaitlin received her undergraduate degree in Psychological & Brain Sciences from Johns Hopkins University and her graduate degree in Clinical Psychology from Duke University. Her research experience has included the study of the neural mechanisms of long-term memory, behavioral medicine and the psychosocial impact of disease-related pain (primarily for cancer and arthritis). She worked in quality management for Durham County’s mental health system after graduate school, and then chose to move into the non-profit world. She is grateful for the privilege to request funds for special programs on behalf of the patients and families served here. When not working at SECU Family House, LisaCaitlin can be found spending time with friends, watching films, listening to music, or working on home improvement projects.
Contact LisaCaitlin at lisacaitlin@secufamilyhouse.org or 919.932.8091.