Our Team - Western Wake Crisis Ministry

Our Team

Atoya Hodges

Executive Director

Atoya Hodges joined Western Wake Crisis Ministry in May 2024 as the new Interim Executive Director. With over twenty-five years of leadership experience across diverse sectors, Atoya brings a strategic mindset and a wealth of experience to the team. Her steadfast dedication to the mission promises to make a positive impact to WWCM and its community.

Atoya's commitment to long-lasting change is reflected through the influential roles she has played in mentoring within various non-profit organizations and she currently serves as the Board President of Athena of the Triangle.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to join Western Wake Crisis Ministry. My goal is to continue to support our steadfast commitment to aiding individuals and families in crisis. I look forward to continuing our important work and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve."

atoya.hodges@wwcm.org

Trudie Laches

Pantry and Operations Manager

Trudie joined Western Wake Crisis Ministry in May 2023. She brings a wealth of operations
experience in both for-profit and nonprofit, client-facing food service, grocery and hospitality roles.

“Joining WWCM is an honor and a privilege. I’m honored to be part of this team of passionate and dedicated people and it’s a privilege to support WWCM’s ongoing mission of community service, outreach and assistance. It is so satisfying and gratifying to be part of something that means so much to so many.”

trudie.laches@wwcm.org

Melinda Race, BSW

Case Manager

Melinda joined Western Wake Crisis Ministries in July of 2023. She is a social worker bringing experience in working with individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Previous roles include program development and financial wellness centered on a strengths based approach.

"I am thrilled to join the team at WWCM and partner with other organizations and people of Western Wake to serve the people of our community."

melinda.race@wwcm.org

Berta Cuevas

Front Desk Client Specialist

Berta started as a volunteer with WWCM and then joined the staff in November 2022. Her years as a school secretary and work with youth ministries have given her invaluable experience in serving the community. Berta is bilingual. She speaks Spanish fluently and is eager to learn other languages to better serve our clients.

"The best part of my day is when a client who's walked in with the weight of the world on their shoulders walks out a little lighter and more hopeful."

berta.cuevas@wwcm.org

Annie Kaiser

UCAP Eligibility Specialist

Annie joined WWCM in June 2021. She has worked as an administrator, fundraiser, and hospitality chair for various non-profit organizations in the Raleigh-Cary-Apex area. Annie works in the Utility Customer Assistance Program with the Town of Apex. She's fluent in English and Spanish.

"Making a difference in people's lives is very important to me, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to help others through the WWCM organization."

annie.kaiser@wwcm.org

Board of Directors

We are led by an ecumenical Board of Directors, with the combined strength of the Apex faith community, civic groups, businesses, schools, neighborhoods and individuals:

Tom Gebbia, President

Tom began his service as Board President in July 2023. He started attending WWCM board meetings in 2018 and has served as Board Secretary and Vice President. He is also a member of the Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Fund Development Committee, and DEI Committee.

Tom is a trained Impact Coach for WWCM and is a Stephen Minister. He is the Men’s Ministry Leader at Resurrection Lutheran Church and became a Lay Deacon in 2024. He is a long-standing member of the Apex
Sunrise Rotary Club and served as President in 2017. Tom and his wife Deb call North Carolina home and have lived in Cary since 1999. Deb is an RN working in Claims Management. Their son Chris is a Dentist, and their daughter Kim is a Stormwater Engineer. Tom enjoys serving, biking, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Tom recently served as Chief Financial Officer at Triangle Family Services (nonprofit focusing on Housing Stability, Family Safety, Financial Stability, and Mental Health). He is a former CFO of Performance Fibers ($500 million global manufacturer divestiture from Honeywell International). He also held roles in Business Strategy and Business Productivity. He also spent ten years in Wealth Management as a Financial Advisor.

Tom has a BA in Accounting from NCSU, attended the Executive MBA program at UNC Kenan Flagler Business School, and is a CPA and CMA.

Sue Stevens, Vice President

Following a versatile 29-year career in Human Resources, with three large multinational corporations, Sue Stevens is now engaged with volunteering in the nonprofit community. Sue has previously served on local nonprofit Boards in Wake County. Her Board member experience includes strategic planning, governance and resource development. Sue has also been providing direct client services with Dress for Success since 2016 and serving as a mentor with the ATHENA of the Triangle Emerging Leaders Program since 2021.

Patricia Gress, Secretary

Patricia Gress is a retired HR professional who now enjoys volunteering and giving back to the community. She lives in Apex, NC with her husband and has one daughter, who is a teacher for the Wake County school system. She has volunteered for many years starting with her daughter’s elementary and middle school media centers. She has volunteered at Western Wake Crisis Ministry in the Food Pantry since 2019. She wants to be involved in the future of WWCM and is excited to help serve her community.

Michelle Duffy, CPA, CGMA, Treasurer

Rev. Claudia LaVerne Cofield, BA, MDiv

Rev. Claudia LaVerne Cofield serves as an Associate Pastor at Holly Springs United Church of Christ, Holly Springs, NC. She is a lifelong resident of Holly Springs and has witnessed the growth in our town. However, along with the growth, there are still many residents who need the services that Western Wake Crisis Ministries provides for our community. She is honored to serve on the Board of Directors of WWCM because of their vision, morals and values that see and fulfill the needs of the "least of these."

Millie Martinez-Marrugo

Millie joined Western Wake Crisis Ministry in July 2021. She has served in the community as Pastor, Mentor and Teacher for a number of years after she Graduated from IBC Seminary with a BS in Theology. She brings her experience in Leadership and her bilingual skills serving in the non- profit sector training and empowering individuals and groups for personal and spiritual growth. As an immigrant she can easily relate in so many ways with the people she now serves. “It’s a honor to be part of a Ministry like WWCM that is building up the bridge to shorten the separation between the needs and all the resources available in our community”

Our Board can be reached via email at board@wwcm.org.

(Board meetings are generally held virtually on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m., and are open to the public. However, please check our calendar for the most up-to-date information.)