Who We Are
Helping Newcomers Plant Roots and Thrive
With over 35 years of combined experience, the leadership team brings expertise in refugee resettlement, global health promotion, and nonprofit management.
Collectively, the team has overseen multi-million-dollar health programs and have been contracted as experts by global organizations such as UNICEF, Save the Children, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
This deep experience includes leadership in areas like mental health, trauma-informed care, and healthcare access for populations affected by forced migration.
RISE Carolina’s programs are designed with an emphasis on cultural competence and are based on evidence-based practices, ensuring they meet the unique needs of the refugee and migrant communities.
Meet the Board
President
Rebekah Kinsella
Rebekah Kinsella is passionate about creating community-based solutions for vulnerable neighbors. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, she has worked with and volunteered alongside refugees during multiple administrations. Holding a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, she specializes in advocacy and policy in affordable housing, medical case management, grant writing, and donor and volunteer management. Rebekah excels at building and growing programs wherever she goes.
Vice-President
Kurt Knight
Kurt Knight is Chief Executive Officer of Foodsmart, where he leads the company’s strategy to expand access to fresh, affordable food as a foundation for better health. He is advancing food-as-medicine initiatives that integrate medically tailored nutrition, produce benefits, and personalized dietary care into healthcare delivery—partnering with health plans, employers, and community organizations to reduce barriers to healthy food access and improve long-term outcomes.
Previously, Kurt served as Chief Operating Officer of Amwell, overseeing national clinical and operational strategy to broaden access to virtual care. Earlier in his career, he was a project leader at Boston Consulting Group and worked on global public health initiatives with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Save the Children, and UNICEF. He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard University, an M.P.H. from Columbia University, and a B.A. in Economics from Brigham Young University.
Treasurer
Michael McClellan
Mike McClellan is an accomplished and results oriented executive management level professional with 30 years of experience in cross functional accounting/finance, asset management, and business leadership. He has a proven track record of minimizing financial risk and maximizing financial performance through process improvement and establishment of financial metrics and controls. He has served as Chief Financial Officer at Tolt Solutions, Ivanti, and the North American CFO for Exclusive Networks, spending the first 18 years of his career at Ingram Micro in various Finance and Accounting role. sHe holds degree in Finance from the University of Utah and an MBA from Pepperdine University. He and his wife are the proud parents of 5 girls. In their spare time, they enjoy serving together throughout the community. Mike also has a passion for woodworking and baseball.