Gerard Carter
Executive Director / CEO
In January 2011, Gerry Carter assumed responsibility for the agency’s overall operations and leadership after serving more than 14 years as Family Life Office Director and then as Associate Director. As Executive Director, he works to ensure that the best-quality programs are provided throughout the 46 counties of North Carolina that comprise the agency’s service area.
Dr. Carter has been a contributor to the Journal of Marriage and Family and is a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Family Issues. He has also presented his research nationally. Before joining Catholic Charities in 1995, he served as a teacher and guidance counselor in Catholic education. He has taught classes and has been a guest presenter at the undergraduate and graduate levels in both family studies and nonprofit management. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society (undergraduate) and the Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society (family studies).
Dr. Carter graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He received the degrees of Master of Human Development and Learning (Counseling and Guidance) from UNC Charlotte and a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He was awarded his doctorate in the field of family studies from UNCG, and his research interests include the transition to marriage and parenthood. In addition, he was awarded a Nonprofit Management Certificate from the Duke University Continuing Education program.
Jesse Boeckermann
Regional Director – Asheville
Jesse Boeckermann earned his Bachelor of Journalism from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his Master of Management and Leadership from Montreat College in Asheville.
After a 10-year broadcasting career working in television and radio news and sports, Jesse served as the Program Director for People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry (PACEM), a nonprofit in Charlottesville, Virginia. Upon moving to North Carolina, Boeckermann served for over five years in higher education at Montreat College, working in admissions with busy adults who wanted to finish degrees. He also served as Corporate Relations Manager and Enrollment Counselor at Montreat College’s School of Adult and Graduate Studies before coming to Catholic Charities in January 2021.
Sharon Davis
Pregnancy Support and Adoption Services Director & HIPAA Compliance and Privacy Officer
Sharon Davis earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Davis joined Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte in 1986 after completing her undergraduate degree and began duties as the Charlotte Regional Office Director in 2011. She has worked extensively in adoption and pregnancy support and served as a Master Trainer for a national adoption awareness training initiative.
In her career, Davis has provided direct material assistance services. She was instrumental in developing a “client choice” delivery model for the agency’s food pantry, which was implemented throughout the agency under her guidance.
Davis is active in the community, raising awareness, education, and advocacy for children’s and youth concerns and poverty reduction. She has served as a youth mentor and as a member of an ecumenical committee that supported students at a high-poverty school.
Regional Director – Salisbury
Deacon Jeffrey Font serves as Catholic Charities’ Central Region Director, overseeing programs across the Boone, Hickory, Salisbury, and Albemarle Vicariates. Based in the Salisbury office, he brings both business and ministry experience to his role.
Before joining Catholic Charities, Deacon Font spent more than a decade as a Director of Campus Ministry and Chaplain in Catholic secondary education. He holds a B.S. in Social Sciences and was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Business Director
Hanna Forster serves as Catholic Charities’ Business Director, overseeing financial operations for the agency. Based in the Charlotte office, she brings both accounting and management experience to this role.
Before joining Catholic Charities, Hanna spent 7 years working at Deloitte, most recently as a Manager within the international tax group.
Hanna earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Clemson University and her Masters of Accountancy from Wake Forest University.
Director of Development
Virginia Garramone is a dedicated and passionate non-profit professional with a drive to make our community a vibrant place to live, work, learn, and grow. She joined Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte in 2020, having the privilege to provide people with opportunities to give back, connect, and uplift our community.
She received her Bachelor of Fine Art at SCAD in Savannah, GA, and her master’s degree at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, UK. Before joining Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, she served for close to seven years as a Community Engagement team member at the Arts & Science Council in Charlotte, helping to make Culture For All a reality in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Garramone strives to ensure our donors feel appreciated and understand their generosity’s impact on the lives of those most in need in our community. She loves coming to work each day to help empower people to join Catholic Charities’ work to strengthen families, build communities, and reduce poverty locally in the Diocese of Charlotte.
Regional Director – Charlotte
Debra Lemmon joined Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte in 2023, bringing over 15 years of experience in non-profit management, community relations, and parish engagement.
Most recently, Lemmon was the Business Manager for the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Charlotte. Before that role, she was the marketing and communication director for several private sector companies, specializing in building and developing high-performing teams.
She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia and a Public Relations and Business Management certificate from Villanova University in Pennsylvania.
Chief of Staff
Amy Loesch joined Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte in 2005 and was named Chief of Staff and Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) Integrator in 2021.
During her 16 years with Catholic Charities, she has served in various roles, including Business Operations Assistant and, most recently, Special Projects Coordinator.
In 2014, she served as the Local Coordinator for the CCUSA Annual Gathering in Charlotte and continues to oversee agency-wide projects and initiatives.
Prior to joining Catholic Charities, Loesch was a Project Specialist for a global electrical equipment manufacturing and distribution company. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Mary Beth Marquard
Regional Director – Winston-Salem
Mary Beth Marquard directs the agency’s Piedmont Triad Regional Office, which serves several counties surrounding the physical office locations in Winston-Salem and Greensboro.
Marquard graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Regis University in Denver, CO. Her notable work experience includes service as executive director of the Davie County United Way, executive director of Smart Start of Davie County, and most recently as development manager for Sunnyside Ministry in Winston-Salem.
Not only does Marquard bring a wealth of professional experience, but she is also deeply involved in the community. Early in her career, she worked at KPOM TV 24 as a production coordinator and coordinated fundraising events/development for WalkAmerica, the March of Dimes, the Special Olympics of NC, and Communities in Schools of Wake County.
Marquard has also served on several boards, as chairperson of the Emergency Food & Shelter Program of Davie County, as a member of the Davie County Suicide Prevention Task Force, and as a field instructor for the joint UNC Greensboro and North Carolina A&T social work program.
Marquard is a lifelong Catholic and is a member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Mocksville.
Joseph Purello
Social Concerns & Advocacy Director
Joseph Purello leads agency efforts in sharing Catholic Social Teaching and the Catholic Church’s call to promote and protect human life and dignity as well as the agency’s disaster response and advocacy. He serves as diocesan director for Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and is an advisor to Catholic Voice NC, the nonpartisan public policy and advocacy organization of the Diocese of Charlotte.
Purello graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Georgetown University, majoring in international economics. He was then awarded a Fulbright Graduate Scholarship to conduct economic research in West Africa. He holds a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Marketing from Rutgers University and a master’s in Philosophy from Fordham University. His additional graduate studies and fieldwork focused on international and rural economic development and African and Middle Eastern studies.
Prior to joining the agency in 2000, Purello was Director of Community Services and Service-Learning at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD, where he helped develop and organize student experiential placements and university partnerships with various non-profits, such as Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, and L’Arche.
Amber Reeves
Services Director
Amber Reeves, Ed.D., is an accomplished education leader with extensive experience designing and scaling innovative programs that advance student success and strengthen communities. In her most recent executive role, she led evidence-based initiatives focused on academic enrichment, workforce readiness, and lifelong learning while securing and managing federal, state, and private funding to expand access and impact.
She has also provided strategic leadership at the state level to advance the Community Schools model, promoting collaboration among school districts, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Through this work, she helped foster systems-level change, expand access to wraparound support services, and advocate for equitable, community-driven approaches to education.
With a career spanning roles in public education, nonprofit leadership, and higher education, Amber combines her expertise in instructional coaching, curriculum design, and data-informed practice with a deep commitment to equity and community empowerment. She holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership for Organizations from the University of Dayton, a Master of Arts in Education from Georgetown College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and Health Promotion from the University of Kentucky.
A frequent national presenter, Amber has shared her insights on community school leadership, family engagement, and educational equity at conferences across the country. She is passionate about building partnerships that bridge education and community to create meaningful, sustainable impact.