board of directors

Meet our dedicated board of directors who share in our vision that open-hearted children become open-minded adults. These leaders give tirelessly of their time and talents in pursuit of the Schoolhouse mission to shape kind, curious, and confident kids through nature-based outdoor adventures.

If you have a passion for kids and nature, find yourself telling anyone who will listen to you about how amazing Schoolhouse is, or have a skill set that you think can help a non-profit organization, reach out to us! We’d love to talk with you about volunteer opportunities with our Board of Directors and Committees.

Interested in joining the Board? Learn more!

Robin Murchison (she/her), Board Chairperson

Robin joined our board in 2021. As a parent, she most appreciates the incredible programming that Schoolhouse of Wonder provides. She calls it a “pretty magical combination of being completely unplugged but deeply connected – to other campers, to caring, creative and well-trained counselors, and to the natural world.” She has been glad for the opportunity for her family to be involved with the camp programs of Schoolhouse of Wonder and she wants every child and family who desires this kind of opportunity to have it – now and for many years to come.

Amber Short (she/her), Board Vice Chair

Amber is Regional Vice President of Eurofins Built Environment East, a network of environmental testing laboratories. The impact we have on our environment, and that it has on us, is ubiquitous and she is passionate about supporting an organization that educates children about these impacts through play and adventure. The magic of Schoolhouse is evident in her son’s dirty, happy, tired face at the end of every camp day. She is grateful for the opportunity to support the program’s exciting vision and mission and help it endure for future generations.

Daniel Head (he/him) Founder and CEO of Head Global

Daniel Head is a strategic advisor, nonprofit advocate, and entrepreneurial leader with over 20 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations grow and thrive. He is the Founder and CEO of Head Global, a Chapel Hill–based consulting firm that supports nonprofits, international development organizations, and social impact ventures with business development, staffing, and strategic planning. Under his leadership, the firm has supported over $750 million in new funding efforts globally. Daniel’s work has taken him to more than 25 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, where he has led cross-cultural teams and developed talent pipelines for programs in economic growth, climate resilience, education, and public health.

Locally, Daniel is passionate about building community and investing in the next generation. As a proud Schoolhouse parent, he brings a deep appreciation for the organization’s mission and culture. He is excited to support Schoolhouse’s strategic growth, fundraising efforts, and commitment to inclusion through his role on the board and the External Affairs Committee. Daniel holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and speaks several languages, including German, French, Arabic, and Spanish. He lives in Chapel Hill with his husband and their twins.

Heather Smith (she/her), VP of Client Services at Mercalis

Heather is a Vice President of Client Services at Mercalis overseeing the operations of patient support programs and the Clinical Service team. As a nurse, she appreciates the health benefits the Schoolhouse of Wonder provides for children to be active and curious in nature. She is eager to flex her operational and business experience in a way that benefits the children in the Triangle through the growth of the Schoolhouse of Wonder.

Joe Dillon (he/him), Managing Director for Creative Planning Retirement Services

Throughout his almost 20-year career, Joe has worked with organizations of all sizes, from startups to Fortune 500 Companies, to help optimize their workplace savings programs. Prior to his role at Creative Planning, Joe was Managing Director of Retirement Plan Solutions at Curi Capital. He launched the retirement plan advisory service at the firm’s inception and led the team responsible for sales and service. Before Curi Capital, Joe spent time with CAPTRUST Financial Advisors as an Investment Strategist and Relationship Manager. He also spent time with both Fidelity Investments and Principal Financial Group. Joe is based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Julie Abella (she/her), Project Manager RTI International

Julie Abella is a project manager at RTI International with more than 15 years of experience in international development and clinical research. She is also the mom of an autistic child and knows firsthand what it feels like to worry whether a child will be welcomed, understood, and supported in camp and school settings. Julie believes kids learn, play, and connect in all kinds of ways, and she’s especially interested in how programs can meet kids where they are. She was drawn to Schoolhouse of Wonder’s honesty about its equity journey and its commitment to making outdoor spaces truly inclusive for all kids, including those with disabilities and from underrepresented communities. She wants to help make sure that all kids have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, explore nature, and feel like they truly belong.

Kim Sue-Ling (she/her) Program Leader at Roche

Kim has spent her 20+ year career in the pharmaceutical industry, where she has worked in a wide variety of roles in business and operations. She is currently a program leader at Roche, where she is responsible for the successful implementation of development programs across a number of assets. Kim hopes that her experience with strategy and execution will be valuable to the Schoolhouse organization. She lives in Durham with her daughter, a former Schoolhouse camper.

Lillie Cooper (she/her) Creative Director at YardBird Studios

Hailing from the New Orleans, LA area, Lillie believes amazing food is medicine for the soul, music is essential, experiences with her little family are the best, and being creative takes courage. With over twenty years of professional experience as a designer, project manager, director, strategist, and creative specialist, she has a dimensional view of the industry and a track record of building meaningful relationships and managing and growing brands. An avid ‘off-grid is the best grid’ gal, she is so excited to join the board of Schoolhouse of Wonder and continue teaching little humans (hers included!) that our world is full of adventure and that there is magic in nature.

Molly Goldwasser (she/her) Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Duke University

Richard Swain (he/him), Executive at Global Indirect Strategy at SAS

A seasoned executive and strategist, Richard Swain brings a wealth of experience from a career spanning global software leaders like SAS and IBM. As the current head of Global Indirect Strategy at SAS, he has a proven track record of building and scaling successful business initiatives. Richard and his family reside in Cary, North Carolina, where they enjoy cooking, listening to music, and spending time on the water. Richard is excited to bring his passion for creating impactful programs to the Schoolhouse of Wonder.

Tami Polge (she/her), Curriculum Consultant

Tami is excited to join the board and brings experience teaching, designing curriculum, and leading programs. A commitment to nurturing curiosity, creativity, and leadership in the next generation makes her a passionate advocate for learning that is experiential and meaningful. She has also engaged in long-range strategic planning, with a keen interest in how organizations build community, share their stories, and create compelling visions. She enjoys outdoor adventures with her family, cherishing moments that spark wonder and joy while fostering deep connections with the natural world. Tami is thrilled to support Schoolhouse of Wonder’s dedication to fostering a love of learning and nature in every child.

Staff photo 2018 Blue shirt Black Blazer - Terri copy

Terri Phoenix (T or he/him)

Terri holds a Ph.D. in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of Georgia. He served as the Director of the UNC LGBTQ Center at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for 16 years. Growing up, T was a camper at Camp Pine Valley in Georgia and as an adult, worked as a camp counselor at Girl Scout Camps for many years. His initial involvement with Schoolhouse of Wonder was when he and his wife’s child attended as a camper. He believes in the healing and generative power of nature and in the magic that can happen for people in camp settings.

Wes Gillette (he/him), Chief Product Officer at Daxko

Wes Gillette serves as Chief Product Officer at Daxko, a provider of member management solutions to health and wellness organizations. Previously, he held key leadership positions at insightsoftware, and served as Director of Product Management at LexisNexis and Safran Software Solutions. Wes and his family reside in Raleigh, North Carolina where his two children have enjoyed Schoolhouse summer camps, coming home dirty, tired and happy.

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