Meet The Team

Carie Wimberly

Executive Director

Carie brings 20+ years of experience in administration and BellSouth to the mission of APC. She has worked hard to create a safe place for community members struggling with the effects of SUD.

Tara Wilkinson

Director of Operations

Tara Wilkinson earned a Bachelor of Arts in social work from Franklin Pierce University and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina. She spent 25 years working in student housing in higher education and applies transferrable skills associated with supervision, operations, community building and financials to APC. Tara believes efficient business practices can apply to nonprofits which allows for more community connections and service to others. She is interested in the systematic influences to SUD and supporting the APC team to serve the community.

Christie Caruana

Mental Health Program Coordinator

Christie Caruana is the Mental Health Program Coordinator for APC. Christie graduated with her B.S. from Troy University in 2021, and received her M.S. in Sociology in 2022. Christie is a member of the Association of Applied and Clinical Sociology and serves on the Advisory Board for the Department of Youth Services.

Abimbola Famurewa

Epidemiologist

Abimbola "Abi" Famurewa is a graduate of Texas A&M University with an MPH in Epidemiology. She is Certified in Public Health and a Certified Prevention Specialist. She is a strategic and result-driven Epidemiologist with expertise in program evaluation, public health research, data collection, and analysis.

Jasmine Gilbert

Youth Tobacco Prevention Student Specialist

Jasmine serves as the Youth Tobacco Prevention Student Specialist. Her daily tasks include training students on the consequences and harm of adolescent tobacco and vaping use. Jasmine is also working on updating Tobacco policy in High Schools and planning in person and digital media campaigns about Tobacco Prevention.

Morgan Grace

Resource Coordinator

Morgan is a University of Alabama graduate where she received her BSW. She was an intern at APC, then a part-time work administrative support. Now she serves as the Resource Coordinator where she uses her passion to help people get connected to the resources they need. Morgan plans to use her social work background to connect the community to APC.

Allison Jacobs

Media & Events Coordinator

Allison graduated from Auburn University in 2014 with a B.A. in Communications. Using her previous experience working at the Southeastern Conference and Dale Carnegie Training, Allison currently manages our social media platforms and plans events for the organization.

Ashley Loftis

LEAP Prevention Navigator & Director of Continuing Education

Ashley Loftis is the Prevention Navigator for Project LEAP and the Director of Continuing Education. Ashley is a 2019 graduate from UAB with a MA in Counselor Education, and a 2016 graduate from The University of Alabama. She is also an Associated Licensed Counselor in Alabama, a National Certified Counselor, and a Certified Prevention Specialist. Ashley is passionate about working with justice-involved adolescents and people with substance use disorders.

Kanissia Rounds

Program Director

Kanissia is an alumnus of Wilmington University, where she received a B.S. in Psychology and a MS in Administration of Human Services. She continued her education at Delaware State University, where she received her Master of Social Work. Kanissia has over 25 years of experience working with the community. Currently, she is a Program Director responsible for all aspects of the agency's substance abuse prevention programs.

Shawn Windham

Prevention Specialist

Shawn moved to Alabama in April of 2023. He has worked in Law Enforcement for 29 years working with youths and the Special Victims Unit. Currently at APC, Shawn is a Prevention Specialist coordinating and managing prevention services designed to reduce substance misuse in Blount and St. Clair Counties.

Beniria White

Project Director

Edward holds a B.S. from Auburn University in Philosophy and a M.S. in Management from Troy University. Edward is a Certified Recovery Support Specialist and a Certified Prevention Specialist. With the APC, Edward oversees the implementation of evidence-based prevention efforts in Blount and St. Clair counties.

Edward Taylor

Director of Prevention Initiatives

Katlynn Nguyen

Prevention Program Coordinator

Katlynn Nguyen is an alumna of Texas Woman’s University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Katlynn currently serves as a prevention specialist and program coordinator at the Addiction Prevention Coalition. Katlynn is continuing to further her education by pursuing her Master’s Degree in Public Health with an emphasis in community outreach education in hopes of reducing the stigma of addiction and stopping overdose fatalities.

Raven Johnson

Director of Student Initiatives

Raven is a MSW student at Alabama A&M and is a part of the Opioid Impacted Families fellowship. She received her B.S. in Public Health and Psychology at UAB in 2018. She is also a Certified Prevention Specialist and is passionate about tackling addiction from all angles.

Michaela Smith

Media & Event Coordinator

Michaela is graduate of Troy University with a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism and currently attends the University of Alabama to obtain her Master's degree in Advertising and Public Relations. Michaela manages our social media platforms, edits videos, and plans events for the organization. Michaela is passionate about serving and informing her community on mental health awareness and prevention strategies.