COG - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Guardianship & POA Care Manager
Biography
Anne Johns, RN, officially joined the CoG staff 20 years ago, although she worked as a consultant with CoG beginning in 1983. Anne began her education at UNC-Chapel Hill in the Pre-Med program and completed a BS in Nursing from UNC-Greensboro. While working as a Public Health Nurse, Anne finished a 1-year Nurse Practitioner's Program and became a Clinical Regional Director. She also received a Graduate Certificate in Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill. Her professional background includes serving as School Health Nurse for Greensboro City Schools and later becoming the Health Director for the Exceptional Child Services Department. While working for the school system, she received a BA in Special Education with an emphasis on Learning Disabilities and Autism from Greensboro College. She has pursued additional graduate studies in Education at UNC-Greensboro and received certification as a Neuro-Feedback Practitioner from UCLA.
Job Titles:
- Accounting Consultant
- Independent Contractor
Biography
Betsy Shoffner, Independent Contractor, has been with CoG since late 2020. A graduate of Guilford College, Betsy applied her degree in Mathematics to mainframe computer programming to start her career and now to Legal Accounting in her work for CoG.
CoG is a private, non-profit organization which provides fiduciary services coupled with care management to vulnerable persons.
Biography
Candy Albrecht came to CoG from the Elon University School of Law Elder Law Clinic in late 2016. As an independent consultant with a wealth of knowledge and experience, she has been a key player in numerous projects designed to strengthen CoG's infrastructure and lay the foundation for future growth.
Biography
Dorian Sylvester joined the CoG team in May 2014. As Executive Director, Dorian ensures all operations within the organization are consistent with CoG's values, mission, goals and policies. Dorian received a BA in Political Science and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Gerontology from UNC-Greensboro. Dorian earned her Master of Social Work with a concentration in Aging from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has a background in geriatric mental health and community-based social work practice with older adults. She has also served as an adjunct instructor teaching Elder Law at Guilford Technical Community College and at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro teaching Social Services for the Aging. Prior to CoG, Dorian served for 11 years as Long-Term Care Program Manager and Senior Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman at the Piedmont Triad Regional Council Area Agency on Aging. Dorian is active in numerous local, state, and national advocacy organizations. She is a passionate advocate for elder justice and is a champion for the rights of older adults and individuals with disabilities, especially those who are vulnerable or who have been victimized.
Job Titles:
- Board Member / East Carolina University
Job Titles:
- Elder Justice Care Manager & Victim Advocate
We are champions of the need for enhancing our community's collaborative response to elder abuse, as these cases are on the rapid rise.
Biography
Hannah Vaughan is General Counsel for Corporation of Guardianship, a non-profit provider of fiduciary and care management services for vulnerable adults in North Carolina. She has 15+ years of experience practicing elder and special needs law. She is certified by the National Elder Law Foundation as a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) and by the N.C. State Bar as a Specialist in Elder and Special Needs Law. Ms. Vaughan began her legal career as an Associate Attorney with Booth Harrington and Johns of NC, PLLC, where her practice focused on Medicaid Planning and Special Needs Trusts. She later became the Director of the Elder Law Clinic at Elon University School of Law, supervising advanced law students in the provision of legal services to low-income elderly residents in Guilford County. Ms. Vaughan often serves as adjunct faculty, teaching Elder Law in the Paralegal program at GTCC and in the Gerontology program at UNCG. She serves on the Elder & Special Needs Law Section Council for the North Carolina Bar Association and is the immediate past-president of the North Carolina Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). She is also actively involved in the leadership of the Guilford County Elder Justice Committee. Ms. Vaughan is licensed to practice law in North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. She graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University in 2000 and earned her J.D. from the University of Alabama in 2005.
Job Titles:
- Elder Justice Care Manager & Victim Advocate
Biography
Kristen is a practicing attorney seeking to explore new practice areas including estate administration and litigation.
Job Titles:
- Board Member / Fidelity National Title
Biography
Maria Ali Gonzalez has been with CoG for more than 20 years. As Care Assistant, Maria assists clients with a variety of needs including transportation to appointments, house cleaning, running errands, and providing companionship. Originally from Puerto Rico, Maria is fluent in Spanish and provides translation services for CoG's Spanish-speaking clients. The youngest of 16 and with a lifetime of community dedication, Maria has a background in personal care and private-duty caregiving; she has dedicated her career to caring for others. She says that her favorite aspect of her work at CoG is "knowing that I can make a difference in the client's lives, especially those who have no one else."
Job Titles:
- Board Member / Ellis & Winters LLP
Job Titles:
- Financial Director
- in 2023 As a Financial Administrator
Biography
Patricia Whitebread joined Corporation of Guardianship in 2023 as a Financial Administrator. She has over 25 years' experience leading operations within the Finance Industry. Previously, Patricia served as Executive Vice President of Loan Operations, Triad Financial Services, where she led the reorganization of the Land Home Division to better serve the company's strategic objectives and oversaw all loan origination functions. She led multiple cross functional projects including implementation of new software and onboarding of new investor relationships. Prior to that, Patricia served as Regional Portfolio Manager for Credit Human Federal Credit Union where she directed loan originations, collections and remarketing efforts and systems to meet company objectives.
Patricia holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Guilford College and is currently pursuing her MBA at UNC Chapel Hill. Patricia and her husband Steven enjoy traveling, NFL football, live music and spending time with family.
Biography
Sarah Ward has been with CoG since June 2018. Sarah has a bachelor's degree in Family Life and Community Service from Kansas State University and brings a combination of human services and administrative experience to CoG. Sarah is responsible for managing client needs for clients that have a trust under CoG's umbrella pooled trust. Sarah is a C.S.A. through the Society of Certified Senior Advisors. She also recently completed the Other Voices program with the 30th Class of 2023. This is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion course sponsored by the City of Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Sarah is an active member of Women Impacting Greensboro, a local philanthropic group that gives to non-profits supporting women and children. She is a proud mother of two and stays busy supporting her children at their schools and in all their extra-curricular activities. She is a committed member of the Triad community and believes in its potential to be a more inclusive and equitable place for all people to live and thrive.
Job Titles:
- Senior Trust Care Manager
Biography
Saskia Barnard, MS, QP, CMC, officially joined CoG as Trust Care Manager on July 1, 2017, but had previously been working as an Independent Contractor with CoG for more than a year. Saskia serves as the primary point of contact for all Special Needs Trust Beneficiaries, their families, and legal representatives. Saskia has over 20 years of care management experience focused on specialty areas including Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, mental health diagnoses, aging/elderly populations as well as the Military. She received her BA in Sociology with a Concentration in Health Care and Aging and continued on to receive her Master of Science degree in Gerontology, graduating with Honors. Saskia is currently an active Board Member with The Bryan Family YMCA, YMCA of Greensboro Metro Board, and is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Health Coach.
Job Titles:
- Senior Financial Administrator
Biography
Sonya Tomlinson has been with CoG for more than 30 years, almost since the organization's inception. Originally hired as a Case Manager, she now serves as Senior Financial Administrator and oversees CoG's fiduciary responsibilities. Sonya works closely with clients to assess their financial needs and ensure appropriate use of their resources. Sonya graduated on the Dean's List from NC A&T in 1984 with a BA in Sociology and a Minor in Psychology. Sonya is certified in "Person-Centered Thinking" by the Division of Aging and Adult Services. Prior to CoG, she worked in supportive housing with individuals diagnosed with autism, mental illness, mental retardation, and/or aggressive behavior. She also worked at Goodwill Industries as an Industrial Services Supervisor. Sonya enjoys spending time with her family and friends, including her favorite 4-legged friend, Taz. Hobbies include gardening and photography.