
Carol Collard, PhD, LMSW
President and Chief Executive Officer
With a background in marketing and residential real estate, Carol Collard became a passionate participant in the fight to reduce homelessness while working for Progressive Redevelopment, Inc. In 1998, Carol returned to school to study social work and ultimately earned a PhD in the field. Dr. Collard has worked for more than 20 years in supportive housing and in grappling with the complex issues that can result in homelessness. Her combined expertise has given her the ability to operate a nonprofit agency with a caring heart and a mind for business. At CaringWorks, which she co-founded, she oversees a team of more than 90 people who operate supportive housing programs and services across Metro Atlanta. Carol earned an undergraduate degree in Communications from Loyola University in New Orleans, and both a master’s degree and PhD in social work from the University of Georgia. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and she has also served as an associate professor of Social Work at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. Carol works daily to ensure that those in CaringWorks' programs are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Ashlee is charged with directing daily operations as well as steering the strategic direction of all CaringWorks programs to ensure clients receive the full spectrum of programs available to assist them in exiting homelessness. Ashlee has a proven record of delivering results for over 15 years across nonprofit management, program design and implementation, and partnership building. Specifically, she has deep experience in developing and managing programs to end homelessness in the metro-Atlanta area. As a leader, Ashlee has a history of building a work culture where team members feel supported and empowered to live out the organization’s mission every day. Ashlee received a Bachelor of Arts in communication from Huntington University.

Sophia Franklin, LCSW
Clinical Director - Behavioral Health
Sophia has extensive experience developing and implementing programs for individuals with SMI, SED, and COD, with a particular specialty in working with low-income and/or homeless adults. As Clinical Director of CaringWorks, her responsibilities include hiring, training and management of staff and contractors, policy and procedure development, adherence to regulations, fidelity to evidence-based practices, grant compliance, documentation and reporting, strategic partnership development, and outcome measurement. Prior to joining CaringWorks, she developed strong management skills by working for a CMO for three years, with primary responsibility for supervision, adherence to regulations, and budget management. Sophia gained her experience working with the target population working at Mercy Care and Grady Healthcare System. She was the Behavioral Health Manager at Mercy Care, a community-based health clinic. She supervised 12 staff members, including six LCSWs, two substance abuse counselors, two LPCs, one LMSW, and one CARES Specialist. She was responsible for hiring, training, payroll, grant management, and direct provision of both individual and group therapy. At Grady, Sophia led the Assertive Community Treatment Team and worked directly with consumers, providing outreach, engagement, assessment, treatment, and case management. Sophia holds a master’s degree in social work from University of Southern Mississippi. She has over 10 years of experience in direct care and program management.

Stephanie Burkes
Director of Residential Service
Stephanie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of clinical social work experience. She graduated from Marshall University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. In 2009, she graduated from Barry University with a master’s degree in Social Work. Stephanie has spent 15 years as a social worker in various settings, including outpatient behavioral health; inpatient psychiatric care; hospital-based medical social work; policy and administration; medical home health; psychiatric home health; and hospice/end-of-life care. In her efforts to become a more well-rounded and efficient advocate, Stephanie entered law school in 2014, graduating with a focus in family law, healthcare law, and criminal law. Following graduation, she began a dual career in law and social work, applying legal skills and knowledge to the practice of social work.
PROGRAM STAFF

Dornisha Freeman
Program Manager

Sharolyn Griffin
Program Manager

Kasheena Griner
Associate Clinical Director

Ailene Gordon
Program Manager

Kevin Henderson
Program Manager

Dominic Johnson
Hope House Program Director

Stephanie Johnson
Program Manager

Marshall Marrotte
Program Manager

Mary Catherine Pelham
Associate Director of Residential Services

Karma Russell
Program Director

Michael Weatherspoon
Program Director

April Woods
Operations Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tyrone Rachal
Chair
Urban Key Capital Partners

Allyson Mccarthy
Vice Chair
Turco McCarthy Design and Architecture, LLC

Aisha Tucker-Brown PhD, MSW
Secretary
Center for Disease Control
and Prevention

Courtney Showell
Treasurer
PwC, LLP

Jeff Adams
Board Member
Arnall Golden Gregory

Michael Coughlin
Board Member
The Fair Housing Institute

Colin Edelstein
Board Member
NorSouth Constructs

Lawrence Elder
Board Member
City of Atlanta Public
Defender's Office

Rhonda Hight
Board Member
Let's Talk LLC

Ray Kuniansky
Board Member
Columbia Residential

Richard MacKelfresh
Board Member
Ameriprise Financial Services

Addison Meriwether
Board Member
Cushman Wakefield

Sunil Nicholas
Board Member
Redis Labs

E. Anwar Reddick
Board Member
Greenlight Financial Technology

Beth White
Board Member
Accushield