Our Board of Directors

Sherry F. Abernathy, PhD, MBA, CPCC, is the CEO for the Center for Empowered Excellence (CEE), LLC, a certified professional coach, and creator of Men Power Talks podcast.  

Dr. Abernathy retired from the corporate and university world after over 25 years. Her past experiences include working as an IT Manager, Assistant Dean for Finance and Budget, and Assistant Dean for Student Success.
She has a doctorate in Organization and Management, an MBA in Leadership Studies, and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Information Systems. Dr. Abernathy is the author of Nursing Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century: Nurses that Start Businesses and has been a speaker at numerous conferences.
Contact Information:
Website:  www.ceeconsulting.org Email: drabernathy@ceeconsulting.org

Bradley is an artist and nonprofit leader from Lynchburg, VA, where he earned a BA from Lynchburg College. He has served as the Managing Director for VTA, a statewide nonprofit, and he recently served as the Program Manager and Associate Executive Director of Programming at SETC, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting, creating, cultivating, and advocating for artists and arts organizations across the nation. Bradley now serves as the Client Success Manager for the Center for Creative Leadership’s global nonprofit sector, a leadership development organization dedicated to lifting leaders who lift the world.

Carolyn Flowers has a financial background that includes 12 years of managing a nonprofit nonprofit that addresses women’s issues and related health matters. Her role often included finding suitable grants and finding program resources to keep the organization funded. She also served on the board of an international company (World YWCA), representing North America. As Board Treasurer, she helped source funds and trained affiliates on the standards of “good management and accountability." In her more than eight years on the World YWCA Board, she traveled to more than 67 countries! Carolyn is extensively involved in many community organizations including the Greensboro History Museum and the YWCA of Greensboro.

Sharon joined Hirsch’s Board in July of 2020 and serves as Treasurer and as a member of the Finance Committee.As a Certified Public Accountant, she brings a strong financial background to the organization. Sharon is currently the Senior Director of Accounting at the North Carolina Healthcare Association in Cary, NC, a position held since May 2019. Prior to that she was the Director of Finance and Controller at the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc. and Tax Manager at GlaxoSmithKline for a combined work history of over 25 years. A native of Pittsburgh, but has lived in the Triangle area for almost 30 years with her husband, Mark, and two daughters.

Maria is in her first term as a member of Hirsch's Board. She is a native of Columbia South America and moved to the United States in 1988. She arrived speaking no english, which didn’t impact her successful career. Maria studied Accounting at Politecnico Colombiano JIC in Medellin, Colombia. She grew up a competitive swimmer and played water polo all the way to a national team level. Her lifelong passion has always been in fitness and helping others. Maria began her career in the US at ClubFitness in 2001 as a lifeguard, swim instructor and water exercise instructor. She is now the CEO. Maria has exemplified hard work, dedication, and a commitment to education and personal growth. Her leadership and positive encouragement are an inspiration to our members, staff, and the community. She actively engages in the community as a volunteer and in more formal roles for multiple organizations. She received a Leadership Medal in 2018 from Leadership Greensboro. She was a 2015 class participant and 2016 Leadership Greensboro Program Co-Chair, the former board chair of FaithAction International and the Weaver Foundation. She is a board member of NCCJ and board chair of Casa Azul. Maria has been one of the organizers of the GSO National and International Dance Day at Lebauer Park and lead Faces of Diversity: Greensboro Project. These events have brought hundreds of people together to dance, laugh, make new friends while embracing and celebrating the diversity of our community.

Molly is a writer and educator who graduated from Davidson College with a B.A. in English and received an M.F.A. in creative writing from UNCG. Her short stories and nonfiction have appeared in Oxford American, The North Carolina Literary Review, Epiphany, The Cincinnati Review, and elsewhere. She is a Doris Betts Fiction Prize winner and a Pushcart and O. Henry Award nominee. She has also been a regular contributor to Greensboro’s O. Henry magazine and taught creative writing at Salem College, Greensboro’s Interactive Resource Center, and UNCG’s Young Writers’ Camp. In addition to writing and teaching, Molly has served as moderator for Guilford College’s Bryan Series and volunteers with Greensboro Bound Literary Festival, where she enjoys hosting panels with visiting authors. Molly is a long-time friend of Hirsch Wellness, where she teaches creative writing, facilitates book discussions, and serves on the board.

Betsey rejoins the Board after a two-year hiatus – quoting her: “I will never let go of my commitment to the believing the arts enrich the very core of humanity, especially when we are trying to make sense of what we might be facing. Embracing the benefits of healing arts is the core of Hirsch’s mission. During the last two years Betsey has continued to find ways to serve others needs through Faith and Grief, a national organization that supports those in grief by providing a monthly gathering where individuals can find a safe place to share experiences and sorrow. She is a member of Community of Hope, a “listening” ministry in which members are trained to listen with the heart. She’s active in pilgrimages and previously led the Pilgrimage Commission at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. She also enjoys being part of the planning committee for her church’s Women’s Fellowship Dinners. Finding speakers reminds her of her professional experience in which she would find keynote speakers, workshop presenters and organize annual events for up to 5,000 people. Before she retired from her career in theatre, she was the Executive Director of the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) a 75-year-old organization that connects people to opportunity in theatre.

Jim Hoyle is the owner and CEO of Audio & Light, Inc. in Greensboro. Audio & Light is a full-service audio-visual design, installation and production services company working throughout the southeast. He is a passionate supporter of the arts and has served on the board of Arts North Carolina – a statewide arts advocacy organization – as President and as a member of the executive committee for over a decade. Jim is a drummer, having toured and recorded with bands in the 80’s, and can be seen preforming with jazz musicians in the area. Other hobbies include photography, printmaking and most recently, cross-country motorcycle travel.

Courtney Murphy earned her BS in Accounting from NC State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. She has 25 years of experience in the accounting industry. Her most recent 15 years includes helping small businesses and nonprofits not only with their accounting needs but providing insights on that financial information. She currently leads an Accounting & Advisory group at Blackman & Sloop Advisors, Inc. Courtney grew up in Greensboro and feels blessed to be raising her family here as well. She is married to Chris and has four very active and fun boys, two beautiful and fun stepdaughters and Finley, and a crazy and fun black lab mix. She loves running, practicing yoga, college football and basketball and watching her kids on their respective sports fields and courts.

Bill is serving his third term on the Board, and currently is serving as Chair and head of the Events Committee. He has been involved with Hirsch for more than a decade, with a specialty of providing technical assistance for events and operations. A native of Greensboro, he has spent most of his life in production and technical events management, including live musical performance, the NC Shakespeare Festival, the Guilford College Bryan Series; he founded and operated Triad Acoustical Stage in Greensboro. Married for 30 years to JoAnn Smith, they maintain a small farm in Summerfield, NC, complete with horses, dogs, cats and guitars.

Gordon comes to Hirsch with broad, diverse skills and recognition working for non-profits and for-profits in North Carolina and New York City. His Board Member service is prefaced by his two-year continuing engagement as a member of the Hirsch Development Committee. He graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a BA in journalism. In New York City, he spent much of his professional career in the for-profit sector, including executive and managerial positions at major companies, in areas including, advertising, marketing, corporate communications, public relations and sales. He worked for a diverse group of clients including Merrill Lynch, Avis, Pulte Homes, American International Group, the Walt Disney Company, and the Washington Post Company. He also ran the national United Way campaign in conjunction with the National Football League. After moving back to North Carolina, he developed a passion for non-profits, serving as Executive Director of the Southeast Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) in Winston-Salem and on numerous Boards state-wide including the Ackland Museum Local Advisor Board and SECU Family House in Chapel Hill, Greensboro's Triad Stage Advisory Board, and in Winston-Salem, the Symphony, Arts Forever Foundation Board, Piedmont Opera, and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art (Docent Board). He lives in Fearington Village, Pittsboro, NC with Nancy, his wife of 41 years.

Ursula Strong graduated from NC State University with a B.S. Degree in Economics. She is a Certified Financial Planner with Edward Jones and has over 25 years of experience in the Financial Services Industry. She has served in various roles in advice, institutional sales, relationship management and leadership throughout her career. She is passionate about financial literacy and often conducts seminars to local companies and organizations. Ursula has been married to her college sweetheart William for 29 years. They have two daughters Blake and Jordyn. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking, and participating in group exercises at the local gym.

Jim Tobin earned his B.A in French and B.S. in Business from St. John Fisher College (now St. John Fisher University) in Rochester, New York, and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Jim brings more than 30 years of financial services industry experience working for major banking and financial institutions. He is currently the Director of Retail Credit at Volvo Financial Services where he has been employed for over 17 years in various roles in the organization.
Jim is a native of New York City but has been in Greensboro for the past 24 years. He is married to his wife of 28 years, and together they have raised three boys. Jim is active in the community, volunteering at his church and local sports organization as a coach. He enjoys running with his boys and has completed several half marathons and marathons with them.

Bettye Young-Stewart is Human Resources Officer/Deputy Clerk in the office of the Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court
Truly a “people person,” she is responsible for the day-to-day HR operations of the Clerk’s Office, as well as supervisors in management implementation and maintenance of policies and procedures. Bettye conducts mediations and leads conflict resolutions, staff evaluations, staff training, conduct initial and exit interviews for hiring. She maintains all policies and procedures for governing and is part of the Clerk of Courts Management Team.
Bettye has a Master of Science in High Education from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science from Shaw University and certification in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from Columbia College.
In addition to Hirsch Wellness Network, Bettye lends her leadership to Archousa Beta Epsilon Boule Sigma PI Phi Fraternity Inc., National Honor Society (Pinnacle & Alpha Chi), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority- Former Member Regional Leadership Team, the Guilford County Mediation Services of Guilford County and Providence Baptist Church, Julia Hyatt Missionary (President).