Kristy Kulberg serves as the Executive Director of the Coastal Carolina Disaster Resiliency Agency (CCDRA), which is the Long-Term Recovery Group for Craven County. After losing her home in Hurricane Florence, Kristy felt a deep desire to give back to her community and fellow disaster survivors. This led her to join the disaster recovery field as an AmeriCorps service member, eventually becoming a staff member at CCDRA. Over the years, she has held various roles within the organization, including Disaster Case Manager, Director of Operations, and now Executive Director.

Kristy is committed to helping disaster survivors achieve complete recovery. Her passion for Case Management, whole recovery, meeting people where they’re at, Emotional and Spiritual Support, and non-profit work adds a unique perspective to the communities she serves. She places high value on collaboration, compassion, and community, and works tirelessly to build partnerships that help move communities from response to recovery and resilience.

Ilham Thurston has been immersed in the world of Disaster Response and Recovery since 2017 where
she began as a Disaster Case Manager at Lutheran Services Carolinas-Disaster Services. She now holds
the title of LSC-DS Disaster Assistant Director and continues to expand her efforts within the local
Eastern North Carolina Community and beyond.

Outside of her normal LSC-DS duties, Ilham is an active member of the North and South Carolina
Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster and the National VOAD Donations Management Committee
Member.

Ilham’s leadership, communication, and organizational skills have led her to be selected by NC Governor
Roy Cooper for the NC Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service in 2021. She has also received the
President’s Gold Volunteer Award in 2023 for her passion, ever-growing talents, and expertise in the
realm of Disaster Management.

Laura Block holds a BA in biochemistry from Brandeis University, and a doctorate in Pharmacy from
Mercer University’s Southern School of Pharmacy. She is a retired clinical hospital pharmacist and
medical education writer. From 1997 to 2023 she volunteered as an Event Medic. She served with the
CA-4 and GA-3 DMATs (Disaster Medical Assistance Teams) from 2001 to 2011 as a team pharmacist and
Deputy Logistics Chief. She was a member of the GA-3 DMAT Radiation Working Group and spoke at
national conferences for the National Disaster Medical System, The American Society for Health-System
Pharmacists, and the Arizona Association of Emergency Managers.

In 2016, Laura relocated from Georgia to North Carolina and in 2017, she joined Team Rubicon and
immediately joined local leadership. For the past 3 years, she has been the South Branch Membership
Lead, overseeing recruitment and retention for 12 states in southeast and southcentral united states.

In 2018, Laura became involved with NC VOAD and served 3 years on the Board of Directors and 1.5
years as Vice President. She is a member of the NC VOAD SERT Team, helping to staff the state EOC, and
she chairs the Volunteer Management Committee. She is a member of the UMCOR Hazardous Tree
Team, NC REVC (Radiation Response Team) and the NC HHS working group on protocols for Mass
Repatriation and Refugee Resettlement. She recently began consulting as a volunteer pharmacist with
the Paul Carlson Partnership which provides ongoing healthcare in The Democratic Republic of the

Daniel Altenau has been a member of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh since 2014 and is the Director of Communications and Disaster Services for the agency.  He helped lead the agency’s response to Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Florence. Daniel has extensive experience with Disaster Case Management and is a trainer for the Catholic Charities USA DCM Essentials Training.  Daniel is on the National VOAD Communications Committee and previously served on the NC VOAD Board from 2015 – 2020 and served as President from 2019 – 2020.

Daniela Archibold joined Church World Service in 2019. Currently, she works on the Domestic Disaster Response Team as the North Carolina Migrant and Emergency Services Manager. Daniela has worked in refugee resettlement for over three years and is passionate about closing equity gaps and connecting immigrants with inclusive services. Previously, Daniela worked for the local government in her home country, Colombia, as well as a bilingual educator in North Africa. Through her professional career Daniela has served in several committees and collectives to advocate for underserved communities, especially those that are ineligible for official funding. Ms. Archibold is honored to participate spaces like the National VOAD Communications Committee, the NCVOAD DEI Committee, and the State Disaster Recovery Function on Non-Profit and Volunteerism. Daniela is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration at the North Carolina State University.

Andy serves as the Director of Strategic Growth for WARM NC in Wilmington, NC. Andy keeps operations running smoothly, from administrative oversight through community relations. He brings 15 years of ministry experience as a Youth Minister and Missions Pastor at Baptist churches in Georgia before coming to North Carolina.

Since Hurricane Florence hit in 2018, Andy has taken on leadership roles in several Long Term Recovery Groups (LTRG). He serves as chair of the LTRG’s construction committees in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender counties. Other disaster-related efforts include Hurricane Katrina recovery in Biloxi. MS and recovery from a 2014 ice storm in Augusta, GA. It is a joy for him to connect with other agencies in the recovery effort.

Reverend Jerry T. Pearson has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Mt. Olive College, a Master of Science Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Master of Divinity degree from Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury. He serves as pastor of New Kelly’s Chapel AME, Wilmington, and St. John AME, Wrightsboro. He is a member of the 2nd Episcopal District AME Disaster Relief Committee.  He represents the AME Church as a member of NCVOAD and as a member of the Recovery Support Function.

Ilham Thurston has been immersed in the world of Disaster Response and Recovery since 2017 where
she began as a Disaster Case Manager at Lutheran Services Carolinas-Disaster Services. She now holds
the title of LSC-DS Disaster Assistant Director and continues to expand her efforts within the local
Eastern North Carolina Community and beyond.

Outside of her normal LSC-DS duties, Ilham is an active member of the North and South Carolina
Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster and the National VOAD Donations Management Committee
Member.

Ilham’s leadership, communication, and organizational skills have led her to be selected by NC Governor
Roy Cooper for the NC Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service in 2021. She has also received the
President’s Gold Volunteer Award in 2023 for her passion, ever-growing talents, and expertise in the
realm of Disaster Management.