Candace joined DRNC in 2021 as a staff attorney on the CASE team. A native of North Carolina, Candace received her undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University and her law degree from UNC School of Law. While in law school Canda…
Walter R. Spencer III joined Disability Rights North Carolina in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience in criminal justice, forensic psychology, and veteran support. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from North C…
Brad Spivey joined DRNC in January 2018. As chief financial officer, he oversees accounting and financial management functions for the agency. Spivey, who brings many years of experience in nonprofit accounting to DRNC, is a North Carol…
Holly Stiles is a North Carolina native who received her undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill. She obtained a J.D. from New York Law School and started practicing law in New York City, but soon realized she is not a forever New Yorker and…
Ashleigh Swayze joined DRNC in August 2021. Her work focuses on investigations involving Social Security beneficiaries and their representative payees. Swayze has over 10 years’ experience in the social services field. Prior to comin…
Debbie Thome came to DRNC in 2007 via Carolina Legal Assistance, where she first worked on the Thomas S. class litigation and then on the Special Education Juvenile Justice Project. She now splits her time between representing children to…
Craig Waleed, EdD joined Disability Rights North Carolina in May 2022. He serves as project manager for Unlock the Box Campaign Against Solitary Confinement. Craig is an educator, counselor, certified Restorative Practices group faci…
Lena Welch focuses on employment rights as a member of the community access team. Lena joined DRNC in August 2020 as a Kennedy Fellow on the education team. Welch earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and economics from the University of…
Von Weston joined Disability Rights North Carolina in May 2022 as a paralegal/advocate. She has over 30 years experience in litigation with a specialty in insurance defense, personal injury, corporate and banking law, family law, trade…